FORT SILL, Oklahoma (June 21, 2018) -- The Army turned 243 years old June 14, and the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill celebrated with a cake cutting at Vessey Hall.
Hundreds of service members, including many basic combat trainees, Department of Army civilians, contractors, families, friends, and post and community leaders attended the celebration.
Col. Lee Overby, Pvt. Jacob Simon, age 19; and Command Sgt. Maj. Royal Curtis II, cut the cake in the long standing military tradition of a senior officer along with the youngest Soldier having the honors. Overby is the 434th FA Brigade commander, Curtis is its CSM, and Simon is the most junior Soldier in 1st Battalion, 40th Field Artillery.
Simon, a human resource specialist, said cutting the cake was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"It's wonderful. I joined the Army because I love it," Simon said. "My whole family's been in the military."
Chaplain (Maj.) David Ditolla, Fort Sill Garrison family life chaplain, performed the invocation.
"Father God ... for over 200 years you have blessed our nation with dedicated and selfless men and women in uniform," he said. "We are reminded that the peace and security that are ours today are a direct result of the sacrifices made each day by those who serve our great nation."
Overby, who was also the guest speaker, said the Second Continental Army was established June 14, 1775, to fight in the Revolutionary War, which makes it one year older than the nation it defends.
His speech reflected the theme of this year's celebration "Over There! A Celebration of Army heroes from World War I to Present Day."
"As we mark the 243rd year of the United States Army, we also recognize and celebrate another centennial event in our long and storied history," Overby said. "It's the 100th anniversary this year of the end of World War I.
"While the Continental Army secured our freedom, it was the doughboys of World War I who secured our place on the world's stage," the colonel said.
He continued highlighting the Army in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and through to today's theater of operations.
Throughout history, the Army has worked shoulder-to-shoulder alongside its allies while strengthening America's strategic partnerships, he said.
Overby took the opportunity to give advice to the hundreds of basic combat trainees in attendance, and told them that nothing is out of their reach in the Army.
"You must identify personal ambitions that are fulfilling and constantly establish realistic goals that you can work toward, both in the Army and in life," Overby said.
ARMY FLAG
During the ceremony, program narrator Mike Simmons, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security chief of ceremonies, explained the Army flag. June 14 is also Flag Day.
The Army flag displays a blue replica of the War Office seal set on a white field. Beneath the seal is a broad scarlet scroll bearing the inscription United States Army, Simmons said. Beneath the scroll is 1775, the year the Continental Army was created.
The central element of the War Office seal is the Roman cuirass, or armor. It's a symbol of strength and defense. The flags sword, spontoon, musket, bayonet, cannon, cannonballs, mortar and mortar bombs represent the implements of war, Simmons continued.
The drum and drum sticks are symbols of public notification of the Army's purpose and intent to serve the nation.
The Phrygian cap supported on the point of a sword, and the motto "This We'll Defend" on a scroll held by a rattlesnake signifies the Army's constant readiness to defend and preserve the United States.
STREAMERS
Drill Sergeant (Sgt. 1st Class) Kyle Gero, A Battery, 1st Battalion, 40th Field Artillery, attached campaign streamers atop the Army flag, held by Army color bearer Drill Sergeant (Sgt. 1st Class) Chad Enslin, also of A/1-40th FA.
Every hard-earned battle streamer from the Revolutionary War to the present theater was hung, as Simmons described each campaign, and the 77th Army Band performed an appropriate period piece as the streamer was hung.
"Less than 25 years later (after WWI), America found itself in a global war with battles in the Pacific, Europe, Africa and China," said Simmons describing World War II. "For the heroic actions of the war the Army received 38 battle streamers."
After the last of almost 200 streamers was hung, Simmons concluded, "Our Army has earned many honors in its 243 years of service, however, we must never forget it was the men and women of our nation who sacrificed their lives for our freedom."
Afterward, guests were invited to eat the birthday cake.
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