[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15037]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING THE 234TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S. ARMY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 12, 2009

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to call 
attention to an upcoming anniversary that is significant to our 
national security and history. This Sunday, June 14th, members of the 
Active Duty Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard will celebrate 
the United States Army's 234th birthday.
  The celebrations began this morning with the annual Department of the 
Army cake-cutting ceremony at the Pentagon. There is also an Army 
Birthday Ball and events for children, such as book readings. 
Celebrations like this will take place at garrisons and communities 
around the world.
  One of these communities is Virginia's Fort Belvoir, where the Army 
is building a National Museum of the United States Army supported by 
the Army Historical Foundation. For too long the United States Army has 
been our only service that does not have a comprehensive place where 
its proud heritage can be shared with the American public. The National 
Museum of the United States Army will serve this purpose.
  More than 30 million men and women, including many members of 
Congress, have served in the oldest and largest of our armed forces. 
Since the founding of the Continental Army of the United States in 
1775, the selfless service and personal sacrifices of our Soldiers has 
been woven into the fabric and culture of this great country. I 
encourage my colleagues to take June 14th, 2009--the occasion of the 
Army's 234th birthday, to let our Soldiers know that they have our 
thanks and our appreciation and that a great Army deserves a great 
National Museum.

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