Army celebrates 236th birthday at Pentagon

By Brian R. GebhartJune 15, 2011

Army celebrates 236th birthday at Pentagon
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Arthur Wittich, the Army's oldest Soldier, Army Chief of Staff Martin Dempsey, Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, Secretary of the Army John McHugh, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III and the Army's youngest Soldier Pfc. Brandon Ra... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Pentagon employees enjoy Army Birthday
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Army's top four enter
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WASHINGTON (Army News Service, June 14, 2011) -- A cake-cutting ceremony to commemorate the Army's 236th birthday and the reenlistment of 14 Soldiers was the business of the day in the Pentagon center courtyard, June 14.

The Continental Army was formed on June 14, 1775 to defend the colonies and guarantee independence from oppression. Ever since, American Soldiers have protected the nation's freedom as well as supported its friends and allies in times of need.

The cake cutting ceremony kicked off around 11 a.m. with the National Anthem played by the Army Band, followed by the invocation.

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey led off the remarks portion of the ceremony.

"A year before the Declaration of Independence, the people of the United States laid their trust and put themselves, their future, their families and their very freedoms in the hand of the United States Army," Dempsey said. "That's who we are. That's who we must be. That's who we will be."

He thanked the Soldiers for their commitment to the Army, as well as the nation, and then turned the podium over to Secretary of the Army John McHugh.

"We remember not only how special this one occasion is, but rather how it should be a celebration of our proud history... the history of this great Army," McHugh said.

McHugh said that this birthday should be a reminder of the men and women, "who are today serving in not one but two theaters of war who are deployed in some 80 countries worldwide defending the lives of others, defending our way life and protecting our homeland."

Final remarks were made by Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, who discussed the past successes in Army history including events from World War II and the ground wars following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Shortly after, Dempsey administered the oath of enlistment to the re-enlistees.

Amongst the re-enlisted Soldiers were Spc. Brian Quarles and Spc. Vicki Quarles of the 3rd Infantry Regiment -- the two Soldiers are married.

"It was like second nature for me, to be in the Army," said Brian Quarles. "I mean, what's there better to do than to serve the country?"

Gates, McHugh, Dempsey and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III then teamed up with Col. Arthur Wittich and Pfc. Brandon Raley -- the oldest and youngest active-duty Soldiers, respectively -- to slice the Army's birthday cake.