Post celebrates 239th Army birthday, Flag Day

Fort Sill celebrated America's evolution June 13 in front of McNair Hall from the flag that flies as its representation, to the Army that upholds its freedom.

Maj. Gen. John Rossi, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general, said he couldn't think of a better way to celebrate Flag Day and the Army's 239th birthday than with a joint celebration.

"Imagine almost 240 years ago our nation was very, very different. In fact, it wasn't a nation at all. We had no represented government, no Army, no banner to call our own which is why 239 years ago the farmers, lawyers, bankers who made up these original 13 colonies realized that there had to be a way of life greater than the one in which they lived," said Rossi.

During the ceremony, Soldiers displayed historic flags such as the Pine Tree Flag, the Grand Union Flag and the Betsy Ross Flag as a timeline to this country's past and how the nation's flag came to be.

"On June 14th, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the enlistment of riflemen to serve the United Colonies on its road to independence. Two years later in June of 1777, our nation signed a resolution adopting the stars and stripes as our national banner. Untrained, poorly equipped, but with absolute resolve our early founders said 'Here I am. I will serve,'" the general said.

"They fought under the 13-Star Flag as a statement to the world that as long as this flag flies our nation shall not wither, we shall not faulter our hope and our faith shall remain and the American dream shall endure," said Rossi.

He said the sentiment still holds today as Americans look to the flag as a representation of what the country stands for in times of trial and triumph.

As volunteers continue to defend the country the Army Flag continued to gain campaign streamers. Soldiers added the 187 streamers during the ceremony to show what it has taken to maintain the American lifestyle.

"Our Army has changed ... but what has not changed is our young men and women willing to say here I am. What has not changed as General George Patton stated is that the Soldier is the Army. No Army is better than its Soldier. The highest obligation of privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for ones country."

Rossi said although it only took moments for a person to make each campaign streamer, it is important to remember what it took to earn it.

Rossi shared General George Washington's quote: "If we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known that we are at all times, ready for war."

After the ceremony, Rossi had Fort Sill's youngest Soldier, Pvt. Jonathan Smith, 17, cut the Army birthday cake.

Each year the youngest Soldier is asked to cut the cake to symbolize the link between the Army's past and future, something Smith said he was honored to do.

Smith graduated high school in Chandler, Texas at the age of 16 in an effort to start his military career earlier.

He is in his fourth week of Basic Combat Training and is already thinking about becoming a warrant officer.

"Have you ever seen a 239 year old look this good?" asked Rossi after Smith cut the cake. "You are now the face of the U.S. Army, young man. You're going to make sure we get the next 239 years under our belt. We have a tremendous, history, but what's more important is we have an even brighter future."