Belvoir celebrates Army's 234th birthday

By Andrew SharbelJune 18, 2009

Belvoir celebrates Army's 234th birthday
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Fort Belvoir Installation Commander Col. Jerry Blixt; Sgt. Julian Snelling, 911th Engineer Company (Technical Rescue); Installation Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel Berhane; and Sgt. Shane Payne, 212th Military Police cut the cake at Fort Belvoir's 234th Ar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Belvoir celebrates Army's 234th birthday
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BELVOIR- Just six years after the Continental Army was established in 1775, our nation's first commander-in-chief, Gen. George Washington, and French army commander, Gen. Jean Rochambeau, walked across what is now Fort Belvoir on their way to Yorktown to defeat the British Army and claim independence for the United States of America.

Members of the Fort Belvoir community were reminded they are the only military community that can lay claim to that historic event as they celebrated the Army's birthday and the creation of the U.S. flag in a joint ceremony Friday.

The Army marked 234 years of existence Sunday, while the flag turned 232 years old. A crowd of more than 400 Soldiers, political appointees, government civilians, and family members gathered around the steps of the installation headquarters building, just a few minutes away from the home of our nation's first commander-in-chief, to recognize the Army's many years of history, tradition and service to the nation, and pay respect for the flag, its designers and makers.

The ceremony opened with the posting of the colors by Fort Belvoir's Headquarters Battalion color guard and the playing of the national anthem. Sgt. 1st Class Ross Eastman from Belvoir's Installation Chaplain's Office then gave the invocation.

Dennis Joyner, deputy to the installation commander, followed the invocation with a reading of the Army Birthday Proclamation by the commander-in-chief, President Barack Obama. Sharon Stark, district director for Virginia's 11th District Rep.

Gerry Connolly, then read another proclamation presented by Connolly to Congress, in which he paid tribute to the anniversary.

"More than 30 million men and women, including current and former members of Congress, have served proudly in the oldest and largest of our armed forces," Connolly said in the proclamation. "Since the founding of the Continental Army of the United States in 1775, the selfless service and personal sacrifices of our Soldiers has been woven into the fabric and culture of this great country. "I encourage my colleagues to take a few moments on June 14, 2009, to recognize the Army's birthday and let a few Soldiers know they have our gratitude and appreciation for a job well done," Connolly said.

Stark then presented Installation Commander Col. Jerry Blixt and Installation Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel Berhane with a copy of the proclamation to display. Berhane spoke next and noted the significance of celebrating Flag Day in this year

of the NCO. "How fitting is it that we celebrate the noncommissioned officer on what is not just the Army's birthday, but also Flag Day," Berhane said. "Since the beginning, it has been one of the NCO's most revered duties to be custodian of the unit colors, which include the American flag.

"Those of us who have lived and served on foreign lands can testify to the inspiration and pride that rushes in at the sight of the stars and stripes," Berhane said.

After thanking all those in attendance for their support and sacrifice, Blixt addressed the crowd and explained the importance of that support and its effect on the history of the Army.

"In our Army's history, we have achieved success through the combined effort of the triad of Army Soldiers, family and civilians," Blixt said.

"We could not have accomplished our missions without the support of our great nation. "The nation supports the institution of the Army, but the community cares for the Soldier," Blixt said.

With 2009 being the Year of the Non-Commissioned Officer, NCO's played a major role in the events of the ceremony. Installation historian Gus Person, narrated an NCO historical timeline featuring living history performers dressed in full period uniforms and weapons.

Performers represented six different eras of Army history, including the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World Wars I and II, Vietnam and the modern Soldier.

Sgt. Julian Snellings, Belvoir's NCO of the Quarter and Sgt. Shayne Payne, Belvoir's Soldier of the Quarter, read the Order of the Continental Congress that established the Army in 1775.

Snellings is currently assigned to 212th Military Police Detachment and Payne is assigned to 911th Engineer Company. After the reading of the order, Staff Sgt. Justin Smith, a platoon sergeant with Belvoir's Warrior Transition Unit, recited "Boots on the Ground," an ode to the NCO and Soldier describing their commitment to serving our nation.

The ceremony closed with the playing of "It's a Grand Old Flag" and "The Army Song." As the final chords of the Army Song faded, four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters flew over the ceremony in diamond formation.

The Blackhawks were from the 12th Aviation Battalion headquartered at Belvoir's Davison Army Airfield.