FORT SILL, Okla. -- Fort Sill is known as a historic post, and as such, its members made sure to commemorate this country's history and independence with no pageantry spared.
"As Americans it's a great privilege to assemble here and commemorate the birth of America," said Col. Christopher Spillman, Air Defense Artillery School commandant and chief of ADA. "Our belief in independence has not wavered over these many years. Our Soldiers, families and civilians continue to do what is required to maintain our freedoms."
Fort Sill's Uncle Sam, (Mike Dooley, 428th Field Artillery Brigade deputy commander) led a parade full of Soldiers, family members and civilians for the 15th year in a row up to McNair Hall from Academic Heights housing area.
"This is our history, this is all about us. It's just a wonderful way to kick things off," said Dooley.
The 77th Army Band played the "1812 Overture" to the accompaniment of canon fire from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Field Artillery. In synchronism the band played a note, a Soldier signaled his crew and an explosion accentuated the song.
Afterward Soldiers displayed the 50 state flags and five United States territory flags.
John Starling, ceremony narrator, announced the state or territory name, its nickname and the year it became part of the United States. Cheers went up through the crowd as their home state was called, with the most cheers going to Texas and Oklahoma.
"We are moved by what these flags meant. What we see before us represents our history and it evokes strong memories and recognition of the many struggles it took to first establish our nation," said Spillman.
He said the Army's history and the history of the United States is intertwined as America's birth is celebrated shortly after the Army's.
"Our Army's history is also our nation's. Throughout America's most difficult periods our Army has been a bedrock for America. That future is the reason our Army must remain ready so that 10, 20, 30 even 100 years from now our democracy will be preserved," said Spillman.
He said independence is just one word and the challenges overcame to establish this country's independence are well recorded in American history.
"Fifty six delegates representing the men and women of their colonies announced to the world that they would no longer be encumbered by a tyrannical government that oppressed them. They declared that they would not be subject to the burdens of a foreign crown, but instead were an independent nation built on the ideals of freedom, justice, honor, mercy and hope," said Spillman.
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