Sgt. William Smith, Army News
The U.S. Army recognizes itself as being formed on June 14, 1775, as the need arose for the militias to form one united army to face Britain’s seasoned troops during the Revolutionary War.
This year, Joint Task Force Carson honored and remembered all of those soldiers that have come before by having multiple cake cuttings and special lunches across the post opened to the whole Fort Carson community.
In keeping with tradition, the most junior soldier cut the cake alongside the most senior soldier on the installation. “I was nervous and excited about being the one to uphold that tradition,” said Pvt. Lorence Vigil, Abrams armor crew member and youngest soldier representative, Company D, 1st Battalion, 68th Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
“I am honored and will remember it for the rest of my life.”
The Army birthday means many things to many different soldiers. “What I would like for people to celebrate most, are the soldiers that are down range keeping us safe, and to remember all of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep us free,” said Spc. Pedro Berroa, computer detection systems repairer, Forward Support Company E, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team. “(The deployed and departed soldiers) are not here to celebrate this great day with their Family and friends.”
Another soldier sees it as a time to reflect on those of the past, and be proud of where they are at now. “This Friday marks the birth of our proud Army, and stands to remind us of our humble roots,” said Capt. Antonio Salinas, commander, Headquarters Support Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. “Regular men gave up their private lives, and created a conventional force, to defeat tyranny and ensure freedom.
“As warriors, we may all rejoice in our hardships of preparing for and executing military operations around the world,” Salinas said. “Many of us have the physical or mental scars to account for facing the enemy in battle, from the scorching deserts of Iraq to the unforgivable valleys of Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush. We honor the sacrifices of America’s first patriots by making sacrifices of our own today.”
For more information, including a listings guide to events happening across the U.S. today to celebrate the Army’s 238th, go to Army.mil/birthday/238. To read about the Army’s Twilight Tattoo celebration for the 238th, including a photo gallery, click here. To read President Obama’s Flag Day proclamation, click here.