June 14 is not only Flag Day, it’s also the Army’s Birthday. Amidst Army-themed birthday cakes, Army cupcakes, military cake decorations, and Army party ideas, we wanted to celebrate the birthday of the Army by looking back at where it all started.
The United States Army was created on June 14, 1775, with the onset of the Revolutionary War. That same year, John Adams nominated and appointed George Washington as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. As Commander-in-Chief, Washington was in charge of organizing and training new soldiers. This job was vital in rallying troops and leading them to success. Without Washington’s leadership, the Colonies would have lost the Revolutionary War, and the course of American history would have been altered forever.
Luckily, Washington and his new Army were victorious, and it wasn’t the last time for the U.S. Army. Throughout numerous wars, missions, and operations, the U.S. Army has been immensely successful and is a vital organization for protecting U.S. soil.
Today, 241 years after the Army was established, there are over 1 million men and women serving in the United States Army. The U.S. Army’s mission states that its main goal is to organize, equip, and train forces for “prompt and sustained combat operations.”
During the Army Birthday Celebration in 2014, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Robert O. Work, gave a speech during which he said:
“This U.S. Army has followed in the footsteps of all of those soldiers who have come before. . . . You have demonstrated the exact same versatility, the exact same adaptability, the exact same mission readiness to get the job done regardless of circumstances . . . whenever your nation has called, the Army has answered, and answered brilliantly.”
Celebrating the Army Birthday
While the Army’s birthday is celebrated all over the nation in different ways, the Army organizes annual events starting June 14, and they celebrate all week long. This year the events are kicked off with a cemetery wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Virginia.
The next day, on June 15, the Twilight Tattoo is performed at Summerall Field in Virginia. Twilight Tattoo is a bugle call that alerted soldiers that it was time to return to their barracks and go to sleep. It is an old tradition that originated over 300 years ago and was first used in the British military. Although the call is not used today, an Army band dresses in historical uniforms and plays the Twilight Tattoo at sunset.
In addition to the Twilight Tattoo call in Virginia, there is a cake cutting on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. On Thursday, the celebrations continue with another cake cutting at the Pentagon. On Friday, June 17, there is an army fun-run in Virginia, and the celebratory week finishes up on Saturday with an Army Birthday Ball.
Other events held around the country are the Pacific Theater Army Week, which is a collection of events in Hawaii, and the Stripes and Stars Festival, which is held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in conjunction with flag day. In addition to these big events, specific units of the Army all around the United States celebrate with programs, flag ceremonies, parades, speeches, and balls.
Take time on June 14 (and on other military birthdays) to show gratitude for the men and women who serve in the armed forces every day. Low VA Rates wants to offer a hearty “Happy Birthday, Soldier!” to all those who serve our country every day. We strive to give back to those brave men and women by helping them secure VA mortgage loans. Thanks again for serving our country and Happy Birthday to the United States Army!
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