Celebrating the U.S. Army's 233rd Birthday

Today at the Fort Belvoir Command & Staff School ILE Satellite Campus we celebrated the U.S. Army’s 233rd Birthday, a day early just before everyone departed for the weekend. It could have just as easily have slipped by with little notice. But Dave Knack, the Team 30 Team Leader decided that was not the right thing to do. And so with little notice he coordinated for the few items necessary to recognize the event. It was little more than a ten to fifteen minute ceremony. Just the faculty and Teams 29’s & 30’s students. An informal gathering outdoors next to our well worn barbeque grill and metal picnic table. Little pomp or extravagance here, a few spoken words by Dave to commemorate the longest continuous service branch of the United States military followed by the Army song (or is it the Field Artillery song). And then the oldest student present cut the first slice of birthday cake, passed it to the youngest student present, and then those of us remaining took our piece and shared some Army stories.

And then just as quickly as the group formed, it disappeared and it was quiet again under the shade of the trees. It does not require a great deal of formality to render proper respect to the important events in our lives. I’ve witnessed any number of like ceremonies in some pretty remote locations around the world. It is the occasional promotion ceremony, award presentation or other recognition event where few people are present, yet are still conducted. Even though informal, just the fact that something important is recognized, and honored holds great and lasting meaning to those being honored, and those according recognition and respect. Would like to hear about some of your experiences. Hank