WASHINGTON (Army News Service, May 30, 2008) - Soldiers, Family members and Army Civilians nationwide are getting ready to celebrate the Army's 233rd birthday on June 14 with a week long round of cake cuttings, balls, children's birthday parties and more.
This year's festivities will kick off June 9 at the Fort Myer, Va., child development center with a party hosted by Secretary of the Army Geren and featuring a reading of a new children's book from Army Child and Youth Services about the Army Family and its history. There will be similar parties at child development centers around the Army and children will receive their own copies of the book.
The Army dates its official birth to June 14, 1775, when the Continental Congress authorized 10 companies of riflemen, approved an enlistment form and appointed a committee to draft rules and regulations for the Army, according to an article by Robert Wright at the Center of Military History.
"It is important to remind ourselves that our military exists to field forces for victory just as we did in 1775...Our Army is a hugely resilient, professional and battle-hardened force. We are the best in the world at what we do, and we are that way because of our values, our ethos and our people - especially our people. On this Army Birthday, we have much to celebrate and be proud of," said Secretary of the Army Pete Geren, Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. and Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston in a joint 2008 Army birthday message.
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