By Jefferson Wolfe
Fort Gregg-Adams Public Affairs
FORT GREGG-ADAMS, Va. — U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command celebrated the 248th Army birthday Wednesday, the first since the installation was redesignated earlier this year.
The ceremony took place at the CASCOM headquarters, and included Soldier and many guests from inside the installation and from the surrounding communities.
“We recognize 248 years of selfless service to the nation,” said J. Scott McConnell, the event’s featured speaker and the CASCOM deputy to the commanding general. He thanked local leaders for attending, as well as Gold Star Families, multinational representatives and the TRADOC Band, who performed during the event.
“This is a first for Fort Gregg-Adams,” McConnell said. “How befitting it is to celebrate our Army through the service and accomplishments of those two great Soldiers.”
In April the installation was redesignated, honoring retired Lt. Gen. Arthur Gregg and Lt. Col. Charity Adams. Gregg is the Army’s first Black three-star general and namesake of an Army logistics award. Adams — as she was known before leaving military service and taking the married name Earley — led the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion beyond mission accomplishment in the European Theater of Operations during World War II.
“They represent some of our Army’s finest leaders and they serve as wonderful exemplars as to why and how our Army stands strong today,” he said. “Lt. Gen. Gregg and Lt. Col. Adams are American heroes who inspire hope and whose courage and whose dignity, patriotism and service exemplify the very best of the United States military and our Army and they instill tremendous pride in sustainment professionals everywhere.”
Soldiers dressed in the Army’s uniforms of the past performed a streamer ceremony commemorating the 190 campaigns in which the U.S. Army has participated. They symbolize the Army’s service to the nation. The streamers serve as a source of pride and inspiration for the young men and women of the Army and reflect not only the proud history of the Army but also the courage and sacrifice of America’s Soldiers from 1775 to today.
The birthday celebration concluded with a ceremonial cake cutting, with McConnell and Quartermaster Corps Command Sgt. Maj. Tisa Scott being joined by the oldest Soldier on post, Staff Sgt. Juan E. Viera, and the youngest, Pfc. Hser G. Thaw, to cut the birthday cake with a saber.
This year also marks several other major anniversaries for the Army:
• 50th Commemoration of the Vietnam War
• 50th Anniversary of the All-Volunteer Force
• 75th Anniversary of Women’s Armed Forces Integration Act
• 75th Anniversary of the Desegregation of the Armed Forces
Fort more about the Army birthday, check out: https://www.army.mil/1775
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