Fort Monmouth children celebrate Army birthday

By Debbie Sheehan, Fort Monmouth Public AffairsJune 19, 2009

Fort Monmouth children celebrate Army birthday
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT MONMOUTH, N.J. - There was cake and milk for everyone in the after-school program at the Child and Youth Services Building in honor of the Army's 234th birthday.

Special guest, Maj. Clarence Boswell, Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems, chatted with the children and then sat them down so he could read to them.

"Sam" the dog was introduced to the children throughout the Army last year during the Army Birthday celebrations. This book was "Sam the Army Dog" by Mary Pratt.

It told the story of Sam the little mutt and his Army family. The dad in the family was a staff sergeant who was deployed. "Just like my dad," one boy said softly.

Sam was not a German Shepherd. He was not a working dog, but he wanted to serve the Army and in the end does that by becoming a volunteer at the post hospital, bringing treats and getting hugs from wounded warriors.

In the story Sam meets a real Red Cross volunteer dog, who volunteers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

In the end, the kids shouted that Sam was "Army Strong."

Then it was time to gather at tables and sing Happy Birthday to the Army, which they agreed is older than any person.

The staff baked four cakes that were decorated by the children. Boswell did the honors and carved up two for everyone to eat and two for another day. "Cake tomorrow, too," the kids said.

After they cleaned up, the group gathered for a photo to remember the day.