On June 14th, the United States will celebrate the Army's 239th birthday. The Army announced that the theme of this year's celebrations will be "America's Army: Our Profession." With the anniversary come many celebrations to honor the Army's troops and veterans.
Events started Friday, June 8th with ceremonies across the United States.
In Washington D.C. at Fort Lesley J. McNair, Under Secretary of the Army, Brad Carson, gave a keynote speech honoring today's troops and comparing them with the "greatest generation," those who served during WWII. In his speech, Carson reflected on the past 239 years of the Army and its effect on the globe.
"Our beginnings in 1775 may have been humble, but even then and certainly ever since, our Army has influenced the nation and the world," he said.
The extent of the Army celebrations stretch across the U.S. and it's territories. According to Kuam news, Governor Eddie Calvo of Guam gave a special speech honoring the island's servicemen and servicewomen, acknowledging the Army's history on the island and in the Pacific. In a time-honored tradition, the island will host its own Army Birthday Ball on June 14th, along with Army bases across the country.
Even in the nation's capital, celebrations will cumulate on June 21st with the Army Birthday Ball in National Harbor, Maryland.