Army To Celebrate 234th Birthday

Ever since June 14, 1775, the U.S. Army has been defending America's liberty and to help celebrate its 234th birthday, Army commands will host a variety of events throughout June. The annual Department of the Army cake-cutting ceremony will be in the Pentagon's center courtyard June 12 starting at 11:30 a.m. The Army Birthday Ball is set for June 13 at the Hilton Washington Hotel located at 1919 Connecticut Ave. Northwest, in Washington, D.C. The reception for this year's Birthday Ball is set for 5:30 p.m. and the ball itself begins at 7 p.m. A Twilight Tattoo ceremony in honor of the Army Birthday will take place on Fort Myer, Va., at Whipple Field beginning at 7:15 p.m. on June 17. In case of inclement weather, Conmy Hall on Fort Myer will be the alternate location for the Twilight Tattoo. The Army Birthday also includes events for children, such as book readings. In the nation's capital, book readings will take place at the Fort Myer and Fort Belvoir Child Development Center.The Fort Myer book reading is scheduled 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., June 15 while Fort Belvoir's will take place June 18 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The 2009 Army Birthday will celebrate the Year of the NCO, military families, civilian personnel and the history of the Transcontinental Convoy. In 1919, the Army's Transportation Corps undertook a transcontinental convoy to emphasize the importance of being able to move equipment across the country. Now in 2009, the Military Vehicle Preservation Association will honor the 90th anniversary of this event by recreating the 1919 convoy. This effort will begin June 13 and is set to continue through July 8. The Pentagon will have a display of MVPA Vintage Military Vehicles that will be open to the public to view at the center courtyard June 12. These vehicles will include a Korean War Jeep, a Vietnam era Jeep, a World War II motorcycle, and a Ford Sedan Staff Car.