Engineers celebrate 239th birthday

By Mrs. Melissa K Buckley (Leonard Wood)June 20, 2014

Engineers celebrate 239th birthday
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Engineers celebrate 239th birthday
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

In observance of the 239th U.S. Army Engineer birthday, engineers at Fort Leonard Wood celebrated Monday with a regimental run and ended with a muster.

Before the sun even came up, engineers were in formation on Gammon Field preparing for the regimental run.

The engineers stood silently before Brig. Gen. Anthony Funkhouser, the 95th Commandant of the U.S. Army Engineer School, waiting for him to signal reveille to be played and start their motivating run.

"Are you fired up this morning? Happy 239th Birthday, Soldiers," Funkhouser said.

He recounted prominent moments of the U.S. Army's Engineer history before leading the regimental run around the cantonment area.

That evening, Engineers mustered at the John B. Mahaffey Museum's Engineer Regimental Room for a cake cutting ceremony.

The oldest engineer to cut the cake was Sgt. 1st Class Robert Baker. He joined the Army in 1991 as an 82nd Geodetic Surveyor. He is currently assigned to the 1st Engineer Brigade as a training developer for the Department of Training and Leadership Doctrine.

The youngest engineer was Spc. Sapkelet Samuel. He joined in 2010 and is currently assigned to the 554th Equipment Support Section.

A Sapper Hewing Axe from the mid 19th Century was used to cut the regimental cake.

Baker presented a slice of cake to Samuel, representing his selflessness in teaching, mentoring and passing his knowledge of the Engineer Corps to its youngest and newest members.

Samuel then presented a piece of cake to Baker, representing a return of honor and respect.

Col. Philip Secrist, USAEC chief of staff, closed the muster with a specific message to the junior engineers.

"For the junior engineers in the room, seek out those older engineers here today and take some time to listen to their stories and share your thoughts on our regiment today," Secrist said.

Related Links:

Fort Leonard Wood GUIDON Newspaper

Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood