Soldiers, others celebrate Army’s 243rd birthday on post

Sierra Vista Herald ^

[SandRat]

Early on Thursday morning, about 2,200 soldiers, their families and members of the public gathered at the Fort Huachuca Warrior/Sentinel Field to celebrate the Army’s 243rd birthday with a traditional run and cake-cutting ceremony.

Birthday traditions have long been a part of the Army, which was established in 1775, a year before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This particular birthday also marked the centennial of World War I’s end.

The annual celebrations at Fort Huachuca, which includes a special birthday meal open to the public, are a way to both honor that legacy and to engage with the community, said media relations officer Tanja Linton.

“There’s a lot of nostalgia for veterans and family members,” she said. “They just enjoy being around young service members, knowing that they’re generations behind them.”

Soldiers from different units and stages of their careers, some accompanied by pets and family members, joined together for a brisk 2-mile run in the cool morning breeze on Thursday, singing traditional Army cadences as they went. For some, it marked the first or second time they had participated in traditional birthday celebrations, while others had to pause and count how many cakes they had seen cut over the years.

The post’s commanding general, Maj. Gen. Robert P. Walters Jr., who was attending his 36th Army birthday, said June 14 is always an inspiring occasion.

“I’m just proud to be out here with these soldiers,” said Walters, whose remarks at the ceremony referenced significant moments in military history, including the Battle of Normandy in 1944 and the forces who entered Afghanistan following the destruction of the Twin Towers in 2001.

“When you see thousands of soldiers get together, go on a little run, and everyone’s singing a little cadence, it’s uplifting, and I enjoy every minute of it,” he said.

For some of the soldiers, the run was a time for somber reflection. First Sgt. Chris Frazier, who was participating in his 20th birthday celebration, said he had recently received orders to travel to Phoenix to do a dignified transfer of remains for Staff Sgt. Alexander W. Conrad of Chandler, who had been killed in Somalia the week before.

“I’ll be thinking of him,” said Frazier, “and continuing to think about the soldiers that are still overseas, doing what they’re doing.”

The morning celebrations concluded with a traditional cake-cutting ceremony, in which the youngest and oldest soldiers on post sliced through the confection with a saber. This year, Capt. Christopher Adunchezor, a 60-year-old chaplain, and chaplain’s assistant Keaundra Johnson, 21, held the honor.

“It’s very special to me to be called to cut the cake,” said Abuncehzor. “It’s something beautiful for me, and I’m excited.”

Before the soldiers continued on with the celebrations, Walters reminded them of the their main duties for the day.

“Run, listen to remarks, and eat cake,” he said. “The most important thing today is to enjoy yourselves and celebrate the United States Army.”