U.S. Army celebrates 240 years

Published June 12, 2015
By David Moore
Army Support Activity-Fort Dix

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Soldiers celebrated their 240th birthday during a celebration held on Sharp Field here June 10, 2015.

Sharp Field was filled with Soldiers standing in formation, flanked by modern tactical vehicles. Per tradition, the youngest and oldest Soldiers among them cut the ceremonial birthday cake. Canon fire marked the event.

Col. Jeffrey Doll, Army Support Activity-Fort Dix commander, took the opportunity to ask "What is the Army?"

"The Army is the 187 battle streamers that come down around the flag of the United States Army - what a majestic symbol," Dolls said. "The Army is 1.1 million men and women, who serve in our Active, Guard and Reserve today with honor and respect around the world. The Army is 140,000 Soldiers committed and deployed or forward stationed in more than 140 countries.

"The Army is the best trained, best equipped and best led force in the world," he continued. "The Army is Soldiers and civilians who protect our freedoms and allow Americans to live in safety and security. The Army is the force that defends our nation."

In addition to the birthday celebrations, 1114th Mobilization Support Battalion and the 7236th Medical Support Unit cased their colors in an inactivation ceremony. The inactivation represented an end of mission for both organizations as they transition back to Army Reserve.

Since 2001, military members stationed at the joint base have supported six operations for six combatant commanders, including Noble Eagle, Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, New Dawn, Freedom's Sentinel and Spartan Shield. Additionally, the have deployed 136,541 Soldiers and demobilized 92,148 Army personnel. The Army trained 18,260 joint sources training organizations from the Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.

Doll closed the ceremony by paying tribute to many organizations that supported and provided assistance to deploying service members.

"The patriotic organizations and Americans did their part in making life a little bit easier, a little bit more comforting and a little bit more like home to the 238,000 service members who transitioned through here," Doll said.

The ceremony concluded with a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday to the Army," with Soldiers and guest joining in on the song.