United States Army celebrates it's 237th Birthday

US Army celebrates its 237th Birthday

How do you think you should celebrate your 237th
birthday? If you’re the United States Army then think about including the USO
at Atlanta Airport. That’s exactly what happened this past Thursday. With over
100 soldiers who were getting ready to ship back over to the war zone. Cobb
County business leaders, politicians and members of Mt Bethel Church gathered
together to make sure the birthday was celebrated and the troops were taken
care of.

USO led the celebration birthday celebration at USO’s Atlanta Center at Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International Airport at 2:00 pm, Thursday, June 14th.

An official cake cutting ceremony, gifts for soldiers, and honors for some special Army veterans took place.

“USO is so pleased to host this celebration” stated, Mary Lou Austin, CEO of USO Georgia. “This observance is important to let those serving now in the Army, as well as veterans that, we appreciate their continued honor, loyalty, and commitment to this great service.”

Soldiers and Civilians ,many of them from around Cobb County, took part in the ceremony and observance on the 14th which was also Flag Day, commemorating the “Flag of our Country”. One speaker was Bob Turner from Cobb County who shared his thoughts from being a Korean War Veteran another was Louis Miller who is general manger at Hartsfield Airport and a veteran.

Bob Babcock, president of National 4th Infantry Division; spoke as did John Delves. John is president of the Lockheed Martin Retirees group and that group is a regular volunteer team at the USO as is the Mt Bethel Church group.

Delves (who is a driver for the A/G)  read a letter from Sam Olens, the Attorney General of Georgia, who was unable to join the festivities.

A full afternoon started with a welcome from Ms. Austin, remarks from Bob Babcock, a salute to “Soldiers” by Ms Bette Bowers and then cutting the cake.

The cake ceremony was conducted by BG (ret) Zeb Bradford, Maj. Mark Brown and SGM Tyrone Legier. Next came presentations and remarks followed by a rousing rendition of the Army Song and the drawing of door prizes. Only the soldiers were eligible to compete to win the prizes.

David Roach (who owns West Cobb Funeral Home) has dealt with several Military funeral arrangements and joined the birthday celebration. Larry Burke, (candidate for State Court Judge) was in attendance also representing his dad who is a highly decorated World War Two veteran from the US Navy.

For those of you not familiar with the USO let me share a few points of interest. United Service Organizations (USO) is a not for profit organization whose only mission is to serve the men, women,and families of our Country’s military personnel and families.

USO lifts the spirits of American troops and their
military families. You probably know of a son, a daughter, a father, a mother
and uncle or just a friend who is serving now or has served in the past. Those
are whom the USO serves.
I was able to capture the event and hope you enjoy the photographs we have included