Chicago celebrates the U.S. Army's 239th birthday

By Mr. Anthony L. TaylorJune 17, 2014

New and former soldiers meet during Chicago's 239th birthday celebration of the U.S. Army
1 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pfc. Michael Medina, Chicago recruiting station, sits down for a talk with David Gotkin, Chicago native, and U.S. Army Korean War veteran; during the U.S. Army's 239th birthday celebration at the Richard J. Daley Center in downtown Chicago on June 13... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Reserve band performs at U.S. Army's 239th birthday
2 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Reserve Sgt. Adam Herrera, 484th Army Reserve band, based out of Milwaukee; performs on stage during the 239th birthday celebration of the U.S. Army at the Richard J. Daley Center in downtown Chicago on June 13. The six-hour celebration, coordin... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Chicago locals receive the 'Army Experience' at the 239th birthday of the U.S. Army
3 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Aaliyah Ward, left, 10, and Brianna Ward, 6, both Chicago natives; pause for a photo with Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Cynthia Jennings, Platoon Sergeant, 251st Transportation Company, based out of Elwood, Illinois; during the 239th birthday celebrati... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Chicago JROTC Drill Team perform at the 239th birthday of the U.S. Army
4 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Hubbard High School Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadet Drill Team perform during the opening ceremony at the 239th birthday celebration of the U.S. Army at the Richard J. Daley Center in downtown Chicago on June 13. The six-hour celebratio... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
TRADOC Commander speaks during Chicago's 239th birthday celebration of U.S. Army
5 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Gen. David Perkins, Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command; gives remarks during the 239th birthday celebration of the U.S. Army at the Richard J. Daley Center in downtown Chicago on June 13. Perkins explained that the U.S. Army ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Chicago-based Army Reserve unit posts the Colors during the 239th birthday of the U.S. Army
6 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 85th Support Command color guard team presents the Colors during the formal ceremony of the 239th birthday celebration of the U.S. Army at the Richard J. Daley Center in downtown Chicago on June 13. The six-hour celebration, coordinated by the U.... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Chicago celebrates the 239th birthday of the U.S. Army
7 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Gen. David Perkins, center, Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command; applauds with community leaders and Gold Star Families, families who have lost family members serving in combat zones, during the 239th birthday celebration of t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army Reserve band performs at the U.S. Army's 239th birthday celebration in Chicago
8 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Heather Mendoza, lead vocalist, 484th Army Band, based out of Milwaukee; performs on stage during the 239th birthday celebration of the U.S. Army at the Richard J. Daley Center in downtown Chicago on June 13. The six-hour celebration, coordinate... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
TRADOC Commander meets with Soldiers during 239th birthday of U.S. Army
9 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Gen. David Perkins, Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command; meets Chicago-based Army Reserve soldiers from the 85th Support Command during the 239th birthday celebration of the U.S. Army at the Richard J. Daley Center in downtown... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CHICAGO -- U.S. Army units and organizations from Chicago's military community rolled out to the Richard J. Daley Center, in downtown Chicago, on Friday, June 13, to celebrate the U.S. Army's 239th birthday with the American public.

The six-hour celebration, coordinated by the U.S. Army's Midwestern public affairs office, based in Chicago, received participation from various military and community leaders to include Gen. David Perkins, Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, as the key note speaker; James Balcer, Alderman, 11th Ward of the City of Chicago; and Rodrigo Garcia, Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

Perkins recognized the Gold Star Families, families who have lost family members serving in combat zones, and gave remarks sharing a story that the U.S. Army is America's army and the U.S. Army's boss is the American people.

"When you wear the uniform, you represent our boss, the American people," said

Perkins.

Perkins also explained that the U.S. Army birthday celebration, officially on June 14,

1775, was for America's army, and it is one year older than our nation.

The celebration began with an "Army Experience" displaying Army tactical vehicles and soldiers in tactical gear from the Army Reserve's 85th Support Command and 416th Theater Engineer Command, both based in the suburbs of Chicago and the 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. The Chicago Recruiting Battalion provided an H3 Hummer display, outdoor games, and made personal identification tags for spectators.

Various displays were provided from the U.S. Corps of Engineers; Cadet Command, 3rd Brigade; United Service Organization (USO) of Illinois; the Pritzker Military Museum and Library; the Wounded Warrior Project, cadets from the Chicago Military Academy-Bronzeville, and the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

The formal ceremony began with a performance from the Hubbard High School Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadet Drill Team. A musical performance was provided by the Army Reserve's 484th Army band, based out of Milwaukee; the band also provided the singing of the National Anthem by its lead vocalist, Spc. Heather Mendoza, during the posting of the Colors by the 85th Support Command.

The ceremony concluded with the signing of an Army Community Covenant, designed to foster and sustain effective state and community partnerships with the Army to improve the quality of life for soldiers, veterans and their families, by Perkins, Garcia, Balcer, Brig. Gen. Stephen Curda, Commanding General, 351st Civil Affairs Command; Col. Christopher Drew, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District; and Lt. Col. James Jenson, Chicago Recruiting Battalion.

The Army birthday cake cutting ceremony immediately followed and the Gold Star Families were asked to join the military and community leaders on stage to cut the cake.

"Today we also honor you, (Gold Star Families) for you bear a burden we cannot comprehend," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Ernest White, Master of Ceremonies. "We are grateful for the support you gave your soldier, so they could carry out the mission protecting others. We are grateful you are here to carry on the story so that we might also know your soldier's bravery. We thank you for your service and promise to help you carry on."

Related Links:

Army.mil: 239th Army Birthday