Hundreds of people from around the region came together Saturday at the Redstone Gateway to salute the Army’s 246th birthday.
Featuring food and fireworks, crafts and cars, musical entertainment, a family fun walk/run, and the long-awaited camaraderie that comes only with a crowd, the event kicked off with a welcome speech from Garrison Commander Col. Glenn Mellor.
“Thank you so much for coming out for the Army’s 246th birthday event. It’s great to have everybody,” Mellor said as he stood next to a three-layer patriotic themed cake.
“It’s my honor to welcome so many members of the community to this birthday celebration. Since 1775, the Army has risen to meet all sorts of challenges and raised generations of patriots who have taken the oath to defend the American way of life,” he said.
“Some of you stand here today – many have followed in your family’s footsteps of Army service – carrying a rich heritage we pride ourselves on, not just during Army Heritage Month, but all year long. To all the veterans in attendance today, thank you for defending our nation and protecting our freedoms and our way of life.
“Your Army service and continued commitment to this community does not go unnoticed,” he said. “Speaking of the community, we are so grateful of how the Huntsville community has embraced Redstone and supported us for the last 80 years. We thought it was only fitting that we should invite you to celebrate the Army’s 246th birthday with us.”
The crowd cheered as Mellor and Army Materiel Command’s Command Sgt. Maj. Alberto Delgado ceremoniously cut the cake, which came in cupcake form for public consumption, and off partygoers went to enjoy the event.
Many perused the crafts vendors, including Bailey’s Bells, which makes “skirted bummies” and other children’s clothes, Sunshine Pawtique, a pet
boutique and bakery, and Dipsy Dip, “an alternative to nail polish.”
Kids’ eyes widened at the sight of inflatable bounce toys and shaved ice, skipping through the first large public event sponsored by Redstone MWR since the pandemic. Delgado’s daughter Aizah, 5, gave two thumbs up to a chocolate and vanilla birthday cupcake and said her favorite thing at the party was “the bouncy house.”
Attendees of all ages were spellbound by the many cars that cruised in for a competition featuring winners in three categories – cars, trucks and motorcycles – elected by vote from attendees.
From such old cars as a vintage Volkswagen bug and a classic Chevy Nova to sparkling new Mustangs and Corvettes, it was a stunning display on wheels.
Bertrand Mau of Arab, a retired Air Force master sergeant, proudly stood by his 2021 “performance package” Corvette.
“We picked this up in January,” Mau said of the car, painted in “rapid blue” with an orange racing stripe, and named “War Eagle.” He and his wife, Nellie, also own a 2014 Corvette named “Honey Bee.”
A member of the Arab Customs and Classics Car Club, Mau said he keeps the car on the road, where it belongs.
“I drive it whenever the weather is good,” he said. “It’s meant to be enjoyed.”
Larry Spring of Huntsville, a retired sergeant first class who just retired again from the Aviation and Missile Command, where he worked as a logistician, grabbed attention with the eagle painting on the hood of his 2014 Mustang GT.
“This was inspired because I spent a lot of time during active duty at Fort Campbell, (home of the Screaming Eagles),” he said. “I get all kinds of comments on it. If I had a dollar for every picture (taken by others), I’d be rich.”
Dwayne Taylor of Harvest, a member of the “First Class Corvette Club,” said his 2010 red Corvette was not even running when he bought and restored it.
“The car has been phenomenal,” said Taylor, a retired sergeant first class who now works as a logistics management specialist for AMCOM.
Rain posed a threat throughout the day on Saturday, but the weather improved in the nick of time.
When the sun went down, the lights went up in the form of spectacular fireworks, a grand finale to the celebration that Mellor declared would not be the last.
The birthday event was co-sponsored by Redstone Gateway, CTG, Leonardo DRS, Redstone Federal Credit Union, the Exchange, IHG Army Hotels, USAA, Robbins & Morton, Cintel and Yulista.
| Date Taken: | 06.16.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 07.02.2021 11:26 |
| Story ID: | 399087 |
| Location: | HUNTSVILLE, AL, US |
| Web Views: | 21 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Army birthday celebrated with cake, fireworks, by Jonathan Stinson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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