CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq -- On June 14, 1775, the United States Army was established and approved by congress as the Continental Army. On June 3, 1784, The Congress of the Confederation officially created the United States Army. Since then, the Army has proven itself time and time again in defense of our great nation.
The 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, recently celebrated the United States Army's 236th Birthday. The days events started with an espirit de corps run around Contingency Operating Base Adder followed by a cake cutting ceremony at the Coalition Dinning Facility.
Highly motivated Soldiers and leadership form the various battalions formed up behind their distinguishing guideons at 4 a.m. to stretch and warm up before going on a three-mile run.
Before starting the run, the brigade commander, Col. Douglas C. Crissman, gave a motivating speech after which all Soldiers followed with a loud and thunderous "Greywolf."
"Once more, Greywolf Soldiers prove that we are combat ready." Said Command Sgt. Maj. Ronnie R Kelly.
With a couple of rotation and stretching exercises, the brigade was ready for the run that awaited them. A Soldier slapped his chest with a self motivating comment saying: "You can do it, come on, come on."
Noncommissioned officers proved they are the backbone of the Army; NCOs gave constant support and motivated their troops to continue and finish the run by singing cadences. Soldiers echoed the cadence of their NCOs which added to their enthusiasm.
Squad after squad, the view of Soldiers in a unison formation mimicked a snake gliding through the streets of COB Adder.
Subsequent to the run was the traditional cake cutting ceremony held at 11:30 at the Coalition DFAC. Soldiers were present to observe Crissman and Kelly slice the cake while the youngest and oldest members of the brigade cut the first slices.
The privilege of cutting the first slice of cake was given to Pfc. Adam Miller from Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd AAB, 1st Cav. Div. for being the youngest Soldier in the brigade, in conjunction with our oldest Soldier, Sgt. Ijentra Owens from Alpha Company, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd AAB, 1st Cav. Div.
"It is a tradition; it is a privilege to cut the cake." said Miller.
Crissman added, "It is 236 years of tremendous history. Our Soldiers and their families are members of a great army team that has been in existence for over two centuries. I appreciate their service and appreciate the service and sacrifice of their families."
The Army's birthday is celebrated worldwide, wherever there are Soldiers deployed. This commemorates the date when congress established and approved the continental Army 236 years ago. Since then, units have celebrated this special date with an espirit de corps run and a cake cutting ceremony. By following this tradition, the Greywolf brigade gave Soldiers a glance at the Army's historic past, and the opportunity to be proud of who they are and what they do.
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