Marking the ArmyAca,!a,,cs 233rd birthday, Soldiers, Family members, civilians and contractors gathered Tuesday on Hedekin Field at Fort McPherson to celebrate the history, sacrifice and service Soldiers have contributed over the years to secure the freedoms all Americans enjoy today.
Children raced from one activity to the next while parents attentively observed the pageantry and history of the Army, listened to speeches by Col. Marguerite Garrison, U.S. Army Garrison commander, and Brig. Gen. Maria Britt, Georgia Army National Guard commander, and watched as the youngest and oldest Soldiers on the installation, Pfc. Kacee Love from U.S. Army Central and Chap. (Lt. Col.) Dennis Niemeier, the U.S. Army Garrison Chaplain, cut the birthday cake.
Demonstrations by the 733rd Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Detachment) from Fort Gillem, a simulated hostage rescue operation by AirSoft and performances by the Army Ground Forces Band, the Loose Cannons, entertained the attendees.
Displays of Apache Longbow and Black Hawk helicopters from Fort KnoxAca,!a,,cs 229th Aviation Regiment allowed visitors to preview and sit in the cockpit, while Soldiers with the Small Arms Training Team from Fort Benning showcased new weapon systems and marksmanship techniques.
Food vendors served jerk smoked turkey legs, hotdogs, hamburgers, cotton candy, fresh fruit and anything under the sun to feed and cool the attendees.
Across the field, antique car owners competed for the PeoplesAca,!a,,c Choice Award. That honor went to Steve Watson, an exercise planner for G-6, Operations, Plans and Exercises, U.S. Army Forces Command.
While activities on Hedekin Field were taking place, yard sales throughout the installation allowed individuals to shop for those special bargains.
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