Post celebrates birthday with fireworks, live music

By Leader Staff ReportsJune 7, 2019

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4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Brig. Gen. Milford H. 'Beags' Beagle Jr., post commander, and Post Command Sgt. Maj. Jerimiah Gan pose with trainees after cutting the cake for the post's 102nd birthday during the celebration kicking off Victory Week. At the event, trainees and civi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The night sky was lit up and load booms were heard over Fort Jackson for roughly 30 minutes June 1.

No, it wasn't a normal training exercise; it was the installation ringing in Victory Week -- its 102nd Birthday celebration -- with a fireworks display.

The display was characterized by Brig. Gen. Milford H. "Beags" Beagle Jr, post commander, as one of the best in the Midlands 'hands down."

Not only did the post launch a massive fireworks display at Hilton Field, it also welcomed the Fife and Drum Corps as well as the Army's Silent Drill Team from the "Old Guard" as they entertained an audience mixed with trainees and civilians from Fort Jackson and across the Midlands.

Fort Jackson officials invited the public to join them for the celebration as it does every year.

Local bands the Reggie Sullivan Band and Tokyo Joe played mixtures of R&B and rock classics causing trainees and civilians to dance in celebration.

"These events are great for Families," said Master Sgt. Eugene Serrano, deputy commandant of the Non-commissioned Officers Academy on Fort Jackson, "because it connects Fort Jackson with trainees and Families."

Serrano, who once served as a drill sergeant leader at the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy during a previous tour on post, said he likes taking his children to events like this because they can see how the new trainees are "part of the same team."

Victory Week continues this week with sporting events Wednesday and a Come Meet Your Army tour and Fort Jackson Hall of Fame induction ceremony today. The celebration extends into Friday with a post run with cannon fire and the Commanding General's Golf Tournament.