Army Birthday at Army War College celebrates 'ordinary people in extraordinary moments'

By LTC Lindan MoyaJune 16, 2014

Army Birthday at Army War College celebrates 'ordinary people in extraordinary moments'
The U.S. Army War College and Carlisle Barracks celebrated the 239th Army Birthday June 13 at the Army Heritage and Education Center. Pictured are Civilian of the Year Dr. Michael Lynch, Private 1stClass Jazzmone Jones, Master Sgt. Stephan Potsko, Co... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

June 13, 2014 -- The U.S. Army War College and Carlisle Barracks celebrated the 239th Army Birthday June 13 at the Army Heritage and Education Center.

Soldiers, veterans, civilians and family members attended the Army Birthdaycelebration today at the US Army Heritage & Education Center, with an event inspired by the reading of the 1775 Congressional Resolution that established the U.S. Army, followed by remarks from the Army War College Command Sgt. Major Malcolm Parrish.

Pictured are Civilian of the Year Dr. Michael Lynch, Private 1stClass Jazzmone Jones, Master Sgt. Stephan Potsko, Command Sgt. Maj. Malcolm Parrish, Chap. Col. Gregory D'Emma, and Maj. Gen. Bill Rapp.

The traditional cake cutting with an authentic cavalry saber incorporated the youngest and oldest Soldiers, Jones and D'Emma.

"The past 12 years have been the longest period of sustained warfare in our history," said Parrish. "Less than one-half of one percent of the U.S. population currently serves in the military. During World War II it was nine percent," he said.

After a brief intermission during which active and veteran Soldiers exchanged greetings over cake, military historian and scholar Dr. Michael Lynch of the Army Heritage and Education Center gave a special lecture on World War II. His presentation covered D-Day, as well as action in Italy, North Africa, and the Pacific theater by the Army to include the Army Air Corps.

"We often hear the phrase we stand on the shoulders of giants, but that isn't really true. We stand on the shoulders of ordinary people in extraordinary moments," said Lynch. In conclusion, Lynch highlighted the relevance of history to current operations, in that Army history strengthens an Army at war, which is one of AHEC's missions.

Saturday, June 14, officially marks the day 239years ago that the Continental Congress passed a resolution to establish the American Continental Army.