An estimated 2,500 people were treated to a car show, military equipment displays, live music, performance by the Golden Knights, the Army parachute team, and a 25-minute fireworks show as Redstone marked the Army’s 250th birthday Saturday at Redstone Gateway.
“As we celebrate the 250th birthday, it’s important to remember Redstone Arsenal’s own 84-year history, from the origins of the war effort to its current role as a hub for cutting-edge research and development,” Garrison Commander Col. Erin Eike said before a ceremonial cake-cutting. “Redstone has been and continues to be a critical component of our nation’s defense. We’re proud to contribute to that legacy.”
She said the Tennessee Valley community “deeply understands and supports our military” and the partnership among the military and Huntsville, Madison and Madison County, their families and the civilian workforce “strengthens our mission readiness and the quality of life of everyone here.”
Eike said she and many others found opportunities for growth and service in the Army and encouraged anyone considering a path of service to explore all the Army has to offer.
“With that, let’s celebrate 250 years of the U.S. Army, the incredible people who work to make it the best in the world and to the continued strength of Redstone Arsenal and our surrounding communities. Happy birthday, Army!”
Maj. Gen. Gavin Lawrence, deputy chief of staff of operations for Army Materiel Command, said the Army has defended the nation from the Revolutionary War to today’s complex environment.
“I’m proud to be an Army Soldier, and I’m proud to be a part of this community that takes care of our Soldiers and takes care of our veterans.”
Lawrence handed out certificates of appreciation to members of the Golden Knights’ gold demonstration team. Then Sgt. 1st Class Justin Brenner, the team lead, presented lithographs from the team to Eike, Lawrence, Redstone Airfield Manager Rob Cannon, Gaylene Wilson, chief of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation’s community recreation division and event director, and Greg Hall, vice president of COPT Properties Trust, the managing partner of the Redstone Gateway joint venture development.
Music was provided during the afternoon by DJ Slim Robb, the 100th Army Band from Fort Knox and the Nashville band, Boot Scootin Boogie Nights. The event featured displays including the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, launcher and the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or Humvee, and tour inside a Chinook helicopter and see it take off from the grassy stretch along Rideout Road. Visitors surrounded an Apache helicopter as it landed and took off.
Eleven-year-old A.J. Anderson, dressed in a green uniform, sat in the Mobile, Low, Slow, Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System, or M-LIDS Kinetic Defense Vehicle, checking out its features.
“It’s cool,” he said.
The Coltey family of Huntsville, including Charlotte, 9, Teagan, 3, and Cameron, 6, all climbed into the Chinook helicopter that was sitting beside the Apache.
Charlotte’s favorite displays: the helicopters. “They’re pretty interesting,” she said.
Winners of the annual car show competition were announced late in the afternoon, with the Commander’s Cup and second place going to Rene De La Pena and his 1953 Chevy 3100 pickup. Bob Reed’s 1948 Studebaker won first place and a 1970 Volkswagen Beetle took third place.
The birthday celebration was Wilson’s last special event before she retires on June 30 after 31 years of service. She was relieved that the heavy rain and lightning moved out of the area just as the celebration started at 3 p.m. and was emotional at times during the day.
“When the Chinook came in (before the event started), it made me cry. It just hit me, like, this is it.”
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