Soldiers, Civilian employees, Family members and retirees of the Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem communities gathered to celebrate the Army's 235th birthday during a day of celebration Tuesday.
Celebrations took place all across Fort McPherson, but were mainly focused around Hedekin Field.
The event began at 9 a.m. when people brought their classic and muscle cars and motorcycles onto the field to allow others to admire them.
A short distance away, at the Fort McPherson Post Theater, children got to admire animals - a floppy-eared rabbit; an African pygmy, four-toed hedgehog; and a Honduran milk snake - courtesy of Atlanta Zoo's mobile zoo.
While waiting for the main event to kick off at 10:30 a.m., and throughout the rest of the day, many took the opportunity to browse through the housing areas to look for bargains in the annual community yard sale.
Others took time to walk through the housing and other areas on post as part of historical, self-guided walking tours.
Army history was on full display at the main celebration, which kicked off with an Army history pageant.
Thirteen role players dressed in uniforms from throughout the Army's history while a narrator read about the time period each uniform represented, the difficulties Soldiers faced during those times and how those times shaped the direction of the country.
After hearing the history of the Army, ceremonial cakes were cut on the field with the assistance of the youngest and oldest Soldiers. Like many other birthday parties, music accompanied the festivities.
The 82nd Airborne Division's All American Chorus performed twice, and the Army Ground Forces Band's rock group, The Loose Cannons, showcased their talents.
Fort Benning's command exhibition parachute team, The Silver Wings, performed a display of precision parachute jumping.
Two team members, Sgt. Sean O'Toole and retired Master Sgt. Dale Warner, jumped out of an aircraft 5,000 feet above the field with smoke cannisters tracing their descent before landing onto a target on the field.
The day was made possible by several sponsors who provided food and services during the day, as well as community volunteers who set up and manned the amusement rides, inflatable bounce, climb and slide rides for children, and give out snow cones and popcorn.
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