FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. - Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens spent Wednesday morning on Fort Leonard Wood and helped celebrate the Army's 242nd birthday.
To kick off the celebration, Greitens joined Maj. Gen. Kent Savre, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, at 5:30 a.m. to lead a division-style run with thousands of Soldiers.
"I really appreciate everybody making the effort to get up early this morning to celebrate the 242nd birthday of the United States Army," Savre said to the participating units on Gammon Field. "Today we celebrate the monumental contributions that our Army, through 189 campaigns, has made on behalf of the American people."
"Today, we remember our fallen, those who never came home, and we remember all the veterans who went before us and paved the way," Savre added. "We also acknowledge and give thanks for this great team that we serve on."
Greitens also addressed the Soldiers on the field.
"It is an honor to be out here with you this morning to celebrate the Army's 242nd Birthday," Greitens said. "For 242 years the Army has defended this country and upheld this nation's highest ideals."
"I and every citizen in the state of Missouri and every citizen in this country are grateful to you and your service," Greitens, added. "You make us stronger."
After the run, Greitens toured Fort Leonard Wood and participated in the traditional cake-cutting ceremony in honor of the 242nd birthday with Lola Coble, Military Personnel Division chief for Fort Leonard Wood's Directorate of Human Resources, and Johnathan Bollinger, TACOM Life Cycle Management Command. Coble has more than 48 years of Army civilian service, while Bollinger, the most junior Department of the Army civilian employee, has three days.
In addition, Fort Leonard Wood's most senior service member, Master Sgt. Kenneth Fogenay, 1st Engineer Brigade, and most junior service member, Pvt. Dawson Wallace, Company C, 35th Engineer Battalion, joined Savre in the cake-cutting ceremony.
Additional photos for all the birthday events can be found on the Fort Leonard Wood Flickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/fortleonardwood.
Related Links:
Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood Facebook
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