Celebrating the Army's birthday

Photo By Spc. Cody Black | U.S. Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Rafael O'Ferrall deputy commander of Joint Task Force Guantanamo, deployed with the Puerto Rico Army National Guard, cuts a cake in celebration of the Army's 234th birthday with Pvt. Levi Arrowood, deployed with the 525th Military Police Battalion, June 12. The early celebration was conducted at the Seaside Galley at U.S. Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. JTF Guantanamo conducts safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees, including those convicted by military commission and those ordered released. The JTF conducts intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination for the protection of detainees and personnel working in JTF Guantanamo facilities and in support of the Global War on Terror. JTF Guantanamo provides support to the Office of Military Commissions, to law enforcement and to war crimes investigations. The JTF conducts planning for and, on order, responds to Caribbean mass migration operations.  

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

06.12.2009

Story by Spc. Cody Black 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba — It's a scene you won't find in many places throughout the world — Army Soldiers celebrating their service's birthday with members of all the armed forces in attendance.

Soldiers attached to Joint Task Force Guantanamo celebrated the Army's 234th birthday — complete with an enthusiastic rendition of the Army Song — alongside Sailors, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen and the Marines at the Seaside Galley, June 12.

The ceremony started off with a moment of silence remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms of our country, followed by a benediction from Army Capt. Scott Brill, the Joint Detention Group chaplain.

Army Brig. Gen. Rafael O'Ferrall, JTF Guantanamo deputy commander, launched the celebration with a speech on the Army's distinctive service throughout the years, saying the mission conducted by Soldiers here is just as important as any operation in the Army's long history.

Sam Scott, Pentad Corp. assistant project manager, helped set up preparations for the birthday lunch.

"I like helping out anybody in uniform — Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps — by doing something different on their special day," Scott said.

The event concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony with O'Ferrall, the most senior-ranking Soldier present, and Army Pvt. Levi Arrowood, the most junior Soldier present, to symbolize the past and the future of the Army's history, traditions and heritage.

This year's birthday coincides with the Army's Year of the Non-Commissioned Officer campaign that strives to recognize the important contributions of NCOs throughout the Army.

Army Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Fowler, with the Joint Detention Group, explained that the Year of the Non-Commissioned Officer shows appreciation to NCOs who serve as the backbone of the Army. Since the very beginning, NCOs continue to carry out old and new traditions, while upholding values and developing the new Soldiers enlisting today.

In 234 years, the Army has been involved in 10 wars, beginning with the American Revolution, continuing through the Cold War and now engaged in the on-going War on Terror.

The actual birth date, June 14, 1775 — more than a year before the Declaration of Independence — is celebrated by all components of the Army, including the U.S. Army Reserve and Army National Guard.

• Date Taken: 06.12.2009
• Date Posted: 06.26.2009 14:39
• Story ID: 35675
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU