Photo By Staff Sgt. Mark Miranda | Soldiers and Airmen stationed at Contingency Operations Base Adder, Iraq, square off...... read more read more
CONTINGENCY OPERATION BASE ADDER, Iraq — Soldiers came together in celebration of the U.S. Army's 234th birthday with festivities at Contingency Operating Base Adder that began, June 13.
More than 30 million men and women have served in the oldest and largest of the U.S. armed forces. Those deployed to COB Adder experienced sports, music, and fun in the name of the Army.
"As we celebrate another historic Army birthday, I could not be more proud than to be called a Soldier, and to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you and your families. Together, we are and always will be, America's Army: the strength of the nation. God bless the American Soldier, God bless America's Army, and the country we so dearly love, our United States of America," said Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston.
At Camp Dracula, a soccer match between Soldiers of Romania's 26th Infantry Battalion "Red Scorpions" and U.S. service members kicked off the weekend, June 13.
The U.S. team, comprised of Army and Air Force players, was coached by COB Adder garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Lauro Obeada, who was born in Romania.
"This is the first game of several we'll be playing on Saturday nights, and we'll play against teams from Iraqi security forces, teams put together by some of the third country nationals. Tonight was a chance to examine our abilities, see what we've got," Obeada said, following the Romanian team's 6-5 victory.
June 14's events began with a reading of President Barack Obama's Army Birthday presidential proclamation:
"As men and women of the United States Army, you are part of the greatest military force the world has ever known. Excellence is your standard. As we honor your service, we also recognize the devotion of your loved ones who support and pray for you as you are deployed across the globe."
Soldiers with 4th Brigade, 1st Armored Division "Highlander" had a cake cutting ceremony at the Coalition South dining facility. Wielding a claymore sword to cut the Army birthday cake, 4th BCT, 1st Armd. Div. commander Col. Peter Newell was joined by brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Phillip Pandy and the youngest Soldier present for the festivities, A Battery, 3rd Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery Regiment's Pfc. Aaron Gonzalez, 18, from El Paso, Texas.
Soldiers dined on steak, lobster, shrimp, roast beef and all the trimmings while listening to festive music performed by the 34th Infantry Division's brass quintet at dining facilities across COB Adder.
"I'm proud of my Soldiers and the civilian dining facility staff who prepared an excellent meal," said Warrant Officer Jovita Fenwick, food service technician, 121st Brigade Support Battalion from Marion, Ind. "We know good food improves morale."
These events culminated in a performance of the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division's rock band at COB Adder's Memorial Hall that evening. A brief instrumental medley of patriotic songs played near the end of the band's set.
| Date Taken: | 06.13.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.19.2009 06:34 |
| Story ID: | 35316 |
| Location: | TALLIL, IQ |
| Web Views: | 285 |
| Downloads: | 222 |
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