By Maj. John Heil
Task Force 3rd Medical Command Public Affairs

CAMP VICTORY, IRAQ – Snapping to the count of the color guard commander, Task Force 3rd Medical Command flag bearers made precision moves to snap and fold the American flag during the Army's 232nd birthday at Camp Victory, Iraq, June 14.

Task Force 3rd MEDCOM Soldiers celebrated the Army's 232nd birthday with a Flag Day ceremony. Col. Gilbert McIntosh, chief of staff, spoke to Task Force 3rd MEDCOM Soldiers attending the ceremony.

"Guard me well, lest your freedom parish from the earth. You are dedicated to those principles by your service to the Nation," said McIntosh, as he honored the American flag.

The history of the United States Army, read by Master Sgt. Robert Greenlief, acting first sergeant, began when Congress adopted the American Continental Army on June 14, 1775. The first units designated as 'Continentals' were expert riflemen. George Washington was unanimously chosen as general and commander in chief of the Army on June 15, 1775.

Spc. Megan Garcia, administrative specialist, sang the National Anthem near the end of the ceremony while Sgt. 1st Class Heather Rathjen, staff judge advocate paralegal non-commissioned officer, served as the main narrator, and 1st Lt. Byron Meeks, deputy G-6, read the invocation and benediction.

"For more than 200 years, the American flag has been the symbol of our nation's strength and unity," said Staff Sgt. Virgilene Davis, assistant G-1 NCOIC, "The American Flag has been a prominent icon in our national history."

"Today the flag consists of 13 horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with six white," said Davis, "The stripes represent the original 13 colonies, and the stars represent the 50 states of the Union."

"The colors of the flag are symbolic as well," said Davis, "Red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice."

The color guard performed the flag folding ceremony, while Rathjen described the meaning of each fold of the flag. The ceremony ended with the color guard retiring of the colors.

Task Force 3rd MEDCOM is commanded by Maj. Gen. Ronald Silverman, the highest ranking medical person in Iraq. Task Force 3rd MEDCOM capabilities include six Army combat support hospitals, one Air Force Theater Hospital and is composed of more than 30 medical units with more than 3,000 Soldiers and Airmen.

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