West Point celebrates Army's 233rd birthday

WEST POINT, N.Y. (June 13, 2008) -- The West Point community celebrated the birthday of the U.S. Army in a celebration at the Child Development Center here Friday.

"It's a great honor to be celebrating the Army's birthday today," said Brig. Gen. Michael Linnington, Commandant of the Corps of Cadets, in a warm welcome to the Soldiers and Families.

The seeds of today's Army were sown on June 14, 1775, when the Continental Army was formed during the Revolutionary War. On the same day in 1784, Congress formally created the U.S. Army to replace the disbanded Continental Army.

Linnington celebrated with the children by reading "Happy 233rd Birthday U.S. Army," written by members of the Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command Child and Youth Services staff.

The story tells the history of the Army and the Army Family from the perspective of a military child. The picture-heavy book of less than 25 pages was made to educate military children on their parents' contributions to the Army and their place in the Army Family.

After the reading, Linnington and 2nd Lt. Brandon Whitten, a Warrior-in-Transition at the West Point WTU and the youngest officer, assisted by Morgan Humphrey; daughter of Maj. and Mrs. Ian Humphrey here, cut one end of an Army birthday cake with an officer's saber; at the same time, garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Violet McNeirney and Pfc. Ramona Barnard, an operating room technician at Keller Army Community Hospital and the youngest Soldier here assisted by Jason Cochran, son of Sgt. 1st Class and Mrs. Brian Cochran, cut the other with a noncommissioned officer's sword.

The event concluded with a performance by the West Point Military Band and the singing of the "Army Song." The children and the community members enjoyed cake and refreshments.