Community Unites With Troops In Patriotism

By Ms Kari Hawkins (AMCOM)June 1, 2011

2010 Armed Forces Celebration Week's Concert In The Park
Soldiers from the Ordnance Munitions and Electronic Maintenance School salute during last year’s Armed Forces Celebration Week’s Concert in the Park at Joe Davis Stadium. This year’s Concert in the Park, slated June 13, has been moved back to Big Spr... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

REDSTONE ARSENAL, AL.--The Huntsville/Madison County community will once again have its patriotic spirit on display as it holds the annual Armed Forces Celebration Week.

The celebration, sponsored by the community’s Armed Forces Celebration Week Committee, is slated June 13-19. This year’s theme is “United in Strength.”

The week’s events will kick off June 13 at 8:30 a.m. with a proclamation signing ceremony at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce.

June 13 will also include the NCO/Soldier of the Year Award Luncheon at the Overlook on Redstone beginning at 11 a.m. Luncheon reservations can be made by contacting Sheila Crutcher at sheila.m.crutcher@conus.army.mil or Bruce Cline at william.cline@us.army.mil, or by calling Cline at 955-6925.

The day will end with the Concert in the Park set for 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Big Spring International Park. The Army Materiel Command Band will be the featured performance at the Concert in the Park, which will also include a presentation of the Community Covenant and a fireworks show.

On June 14, two productions of the Army Soldier Show will be presented at the Von Braun Center Concert Hall, with one at 3 p.m. and another at 7. Tickets for the Soldier shows are available from Family and Morale Welfare and Recreation beginning today and from the Chamber of Commerce beginning June 8. For more ticket information, call 876-4531.

On June 15, the community will officially celebrate the opening of the new headquarters of the Army Materiel Command at a 9 a.m. AMC Touchdown Ceremony.

The AMC event will be followed by an Armed Forces Salute Reception and Army Birthday Celebration from Noon to 2 p.m. at the Von Braun Center’s North Hall. The reception will feature the Army Materiel Command Band, and comments from AMC commander Gen. Ann Dunwoody and Gov. Robert Bentley. Registration for the reception is required and can be made by contacting Steve Humphrey at steven.humphrey@mslco.com.

On June 16, the community will officially welcome the Army Contracting Command/Expeditionary Contracting Command to the Arsenal during a 9 a.m. uncasing ceremony at building 3334A on Wells Road.

Also on June 16, the Army Community Service (building 3338) annual open house is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year’s event will include a special tribute to military spouses. The event will include refreshments.

Events on June 16 will end with a Sidewalk Arts Stroll on the courthouse square in downtown Huntsville from 4 to 8 p.m. For more information on the event, visit www.sidewalkartsstroll.com.

On June 17, the Redstone-Huntsville Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army will hold a golf tournament at the Links at Redstone beginning at 8 a.m. Pre-registration is required by contacting Mike Kelley at mkelley@knology.net.

The week’s activities will conclude on June 18 with the AUSA Huntsville Stars Military Appreciation Night beginning at 6:43 p.m. at Joe Davis Stadium.

In addition, several local attractions will offer free or discounted tickets to the military throughout Armed Forces Celebration Week. Military identification card is required for free admission. Museums offering free or discounted admission to military include:

U.S. Space & Rocket Center " Museum admission is free to all military and their immediate family. The IMAX/3D movie is an additional $8 for adults and $7 for children.

Huntsville Botanical Garden " Free admission is offered to any member of the armed forces " active or retired " and their immediate family with military identification.

Burritt on the Mountain " Free admission to any member of the armed forces " active or retired " and their immediate family.

EarlyWorks Museum " Museum admission free to active duty military and their immediate families.

Huntsville Museum of Art " Museum admission free to active duty military and their families.

Sci-Quest, the North Alabama Science Center Inc. " Museum admission free to any member of the armed forces -- active or retired " and their immediate family.

Veterans Memorial Museum " Free to active military identification card holders, and a discount will be offered for retired military and family members.

Editor’s note: For a calendar of events, visit www.HuntsvilleAlabamaUSA.com and click on the upcoming events link.