Celebrate Army Birthday on June 14 at Fort McCoy

Photo By Scott Sturkol | Personnel with the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation serve Fort McCoy community members a meal during the annual Army Birthday Celebration on June 14, 2017, at McCoy's Community Center at Fort McCoy, Wis. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.)  

FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES

06.07.2018

Courtesy Story

Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office           

The Army celebrates its 243rd birthday June 14, and Fort McCoy community members are invited to join the celebration

The U.S. Army was founded June 14, 1775, when the Continental Congress authorized enlistment of expert riflemen to serve the United Colonies for one year, according to the U.S. Army Center of Military History. George Washington received his appointment as commander in chief of the Continental Army the next day and formally took command July 3, 1775, in Boston.

Army installations celebrate the anniversary by hosting special events and celebrations. At Fort McCoy, a number of events are open to the service members, civilians, and Family members who work, serve, and live on post.

The day starts out with a free drive-thru breakfast at McCoy’s Community Center from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. A choice of a doughnut or fruit and coffee or orange juice will be offered. T-shirts will also be given away while supplies last.

The Commander’s 5K Challenge is at 7 a.m. at Rumpel Fitness Center. Participants who beat the commander’s time will receive signed certificates. T-shirts will be available to all participants. This race also serves as the final qualifier for the 2018 Fort McCoy Army Ten-Miler team. Registration is required, and forms are available at Rumpel Fitness Center.

Community members can wash their vehicles for free at the MWR Car Wash from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free bowling, including shoes, is offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at McCoy’s Community Center.

The Army Birthday Luncheon will be 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at McCoy’s Community Center. The official cake-cutting ceremony and invocation will start at 11:30 a.m. Live music will be performed by an Army band, and lunch will be served.

All events are free and open to the entire Fort McCoy community. For more information about Army Birthday events, call 608-388-3200.

For more information about the Army Birthday and branch birthdays, visit https://history.army.mil/html/faq/branches.html.

(Article prepared by the Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office and Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation.)

• Date Taken: 06.07.2018
• Date Posted: 06.07.2018 09:50
• Story ID: 279935
• Location: FORT MCCOY, WI, US