RIA, Quad Cities celebrate Army's 240th birthday

By Justin Graff, ASC Public AffairsJune 17, 2015

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1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – From left, Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Bryant and Maj. Gen. Kevin O'Connell, commanding general, both of ASC, prepare to give awards to Capt. Derrick Lyles and Master Sgt. Joseph Wertz, both G-3, ASC, for their efforts organizing the Army Birthday Ball... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Jim Baker (left), deputy chief of staff, G-2, U.S. Army Sustainment Command, and Sgt. Maj. Scott Prosser, G-2 sergeant major, ASC, add streamers to the Army flag during the Army Birthday Ball in Bettendorf, Iowa, June 13. (Photo by Kevin Fleming... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. 1st Class Scott Smith, commanding general's transportation coordinator, First U.S. Army, tells the story of the Fallen Soldier Table during the Army Birthday Ball in Bettendorf, Iowa, June 13. (Photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Shannon Wright, ASC Pu... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Kevin O'Connell, commanding general, U.S. Army Sustainment Command, and Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Bryant, command sergeant major, ASC, are joined by the most senior Soldier and tenured Department of the Army civilian, and the most junior So... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BETTENDORF, Iowa -- Rock Island Arsenal's 2015 Army Birthday Ball hosted a variety of military, civilian and community leaders at the Waterfront Convention Center, June 13.

The ball, which celebrated the Army's 240 years of selfless service to the nation, concluded shortly before the clock struck midnight, signaling the Army's actual birthday on June 14.

Gary Beikirch, a Vietnam War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, spoke to nearly 500 Soldiers, family members and Department of the Army civilians -- the largest attendance in recent memory.

"Anytime I have the opportunity, I will share with young people because they are our future," said Beikirch. "They need to hear about the heritage and the legacy that is ours as a nation. My passion is the military and those who serve, because not only is the future in the hands of our military, but the past that we so enjoy is all because of them -- and the present we enjoy is secured and protected, and guaranteed for us by the military."

The event began with a receiving line made of up command teams -- along with spouses -- representing the commands across the arsenal. A bugler from the U.S. Army Material Command played "Mess Call," signaling attendees to move into the dining room for ceremonies.

In the dining hall, attendees stood for the national anthem, performed by Alison Ruble, president and CEO, USO of Illinois, followed by the posting of the colors, an invocation by Chaplain (Lt. Col) Earl Bowers, operations and plans chaplain, First U.S. Army; and an introduction to the ball's master of ceremonies, Col. Darren Werner, chief of staff, U.S. Army Sustainment Command.

"Throughout my career, I've always enjoyed this event," said Werner. "Every year, we pause to remember and reflect. It's a reflection on where we've come from as an Army.

"It's good to take a moment and reflect on that -- the tradition, the formality, the military precision, and of course, the fun. The ceremonies and recognition of our fallen comrades are extremely important. But it's also important to remember this is a celebration."

Werner led a series of toasts, given by key leaders from the arsenal and members of the community; a toast to the president, by Maj. Gen. Kevin O'Connell, commanding general, ASC; a toast to the Army, by Lt. Gen. Michael Tucker, commanding general, First U.S. Army; a toast to the sister services, by Melanie Johnson, executive director, U.S. Army Contracting Command; a toast to the Quad Cities community, by John Thodos, mayor, East Moline; and a toast to the ladies, by Werner.

The joyous atmosphere filling the room after the series of toasts quickly turned somber, as the audience's attention was directed toward the far right of the room, to the Fallen Soldier Table.

Sgt. 1st Class Scott Smith, commanding general's transportation coordinator, First U.S. Army, stood alone under a spotlight and led the crowd in honoring the table.

"This table is for our fallen comrades," he said. "This table is small, and set for only one, which symbolizes the frailty of one warrior alone against our enemies."

Smith then rendered a salute, and placed a coin on the table.

Brig. Gen. Kristin French, commanding general, Joint Munitions Command, gave one final toast, "to our fallen comrades."

After a brief video message from Secretary of the Army John McHugh, a traditional Army streamer ceremony commenced.

"Stationed at the back of the room, the Army flag stands as a symbol of our Army in its infancy, barren of its numerous battle streamers," said Werner. "Streamers serve as a remembrance of all the conflicts and campaigns that America has participated in during the past 240 years."

In total, 188 streamers were added to the flag representing, achievements in conflict dating back to the Revolutionary War.

After a loud round of applause from the audience for the American flag, Staff Sgt. Kevin Hopson, provost sergeant, ASC, presented a saber to O'Connell for the ceremonial cutting of the Army birthday cake. The use of an Army saber to cut the cake is a tradition signifying the modern Army's ties to the revolutionary Army.

O'Connell was joined by Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Bryant, command sergeant major, ASC; the arsenal's most senior Soldier, Tucker; most junior Soldier, Pfc. Ariana Williams, pharmacy tech, RIA Clinic; most tenured DA civilian, Dan Carlson, chief of public affairs, ASC; and most junior DA civilian, Lauren Aggen, equal opportunity specialist, ASC.

The first cut is made with all hands on the saber. O'Connell and Bryant then served the junior and senior participants, symbolizing the passing of tradition, history, and the development of the Army since 1775 from the senior leadership to the future.

The bugler then signaled it was time to dine.

Beikirch, the guest speaker, spoke about the importance of the Army, and the burden of his Medal of Honor.

"This medal is special because it symbolizes what lives in the heart and mind and soul of every person who loves this country," he said. "This medal is special because it symbolizes what chokes me up when I hear the national anthem or why I cannot finish the Pledge of Allegiance.

"This medal is special because it symbolizes what brings tears to my eyes every time I hear taps. This medal is special because it symbolizes what is part of our heritage as a nation."

Beikirch was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1973 for his selfless service in Vietnam with the 5th Special Forces Group in 1969. He risked his own personal safety and suffered several multiple combat injuries to rescue several American, Vietnamese and Montagnard casualties.

"I want to thank you for bringing me to this wonderful event," he said. "I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to share with you what I learned about the medal, about life, about honor, about the message of duty, love for others, love for country -- about believing in something greater than yourself."

After Beikirch's speech, O'Connell and Bryant presented him with a statue of an eagle as a token of appreciation.