[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 99 (Thursday, June 14, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             ARMY BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 14, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today, we honor the United States 
Army, the oldest of the five military branches, on the 243rd 
anniversary of its founding.
  On June 14, 1775, America was under attack. The British forces 
occupied the city of Boston, but the minutemen of Massachusetts 
resisted. These patriots fought bravely at Lexington, Concord, and 
Bunker Hill, and inspired others from the surrounding colonies to join 
the fight.
  The Second Continental Congress took note of their courage, and when 
they convened in May 1775, they set out to create an army for the 
defense of all of the colonies. On June 14th, Congress officially 
established the Army, and the next day appointed General George 
Washington as its commander. With his marching orders, Washington rode 
out to his new command, where he successfully drove the British out of 
Boston. The newly-formed Continental Army spurred the colonies to 
victory in gaining their independence from their British oppressors.
  The Army has been steadfast in the defense of the American democracy 
ever since. During its illustrious history, the Army repelled the 
British attack on New Orleans, charged up San Juan Hill behind Teddy 
Roosevelt, and stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. The Army ranks 
have always produced the best and brightest in America. Countless 
members of Congress and fifteen presidents wore Army uniforms before 
stepping into public office.
  My father, TSgt Virgil Poe, served in the Army as a teenager, in 
combat, during the Second World War in Europe.
  The service of these Americans has not come without sacrifice. In the 
course of history, hundreds of thousands of Americans in the Army have 
given their lives in defending our country from harm. We owe a deep 
debt of gratitude to this rare breed of men and women, the American 
breed.
  Today, nearly half a million men and women make up the most 
formidable fighting force in the world. As artillery gunners, aviators, 
chaplains, cooks, dentists, doctors, engineers, infantrymen, 
intelligence officers, lawyers, nurses, tankmen, technicians, and 
veterinarians, these individuals are the backbone of the American 
military and continue to serve as they always have, with honor and 
distinction, and embody what it means to be Army Strong.
  Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Army is a vital component of our democracy. 
They have protected us for 243 years, and wherever we go, you will 
always know that the Army goes rolling along.
  And that is just the way it is.

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