ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (June 5, 2013) -- Members of the 85th Support Command, which is located approximately 25 miles northwest of Chicago, held a cake-cutting ceremony, June 1, in honor of the Army's 238th Birthday.
The official party for the ceremony was Brig. Gen. Gracus K. Dunn, dual assigned as commanding general of the 85th Support Command, and deputy-commanding general for support, First Army Division West - Fort Hood, Texas, Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin J. Greene, command sergeant major, 85th Support Command and Master Sgt. Michael Kreinbring, who was a part of a retirement ceremony also being held in his honor after 33 years of service.
Two hundred thirty-eight years ago, the Continental Army was established, beginning a rich heritage of successfully defending this country and its citizens.
Carrying on with the historical traditions of the Army, Greene deferred the honor, as the most senior noncommissioned officer, of cutting the birthday cake to Kreinbring as his last act as a U.S. Soldier. The most junior enlisted Soldier to assist him in the cake cutting was Pfc. Yvette Leon, a human resource specialist with the 85th Support Command.
The birthday cake-cutting ceremony is important to all Soldiers, as it is an annual celebration of the formation of the Army and a renewal of each Soldier's commitment to the unit.
The cake is traditionally cut with a sword, as a reminder that Soldiers are a band of warriors, committed to carry the sword, so that our nation may live in peace.
Immediately following the cake cutting, the Soldiers sang "The Birthday Song" accompanied by music from the 85th Army Band brass and percussion ensemble.
Concluding the ceremony as tradition dictates, "The Army Song" closed the ceremony.
Prior to singing, Dunn, joyfully, announced that this was the first time that the 85th Support Command along with the 85th Army Band would premiere the new arrangement of "The Army Song."
"Not only do we recognize the 238th Army birthday today," said Dunn, "we would also like to honor a Soldier who says 'goodbye' to the Army after a distinguished career spanning three decades."
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