FORT BELVOIR, Va. –
This anniversary is not just a reflection on history but a tribute to soldiers who built the legacy and carry it forward, the Defense Logistics Agency director said during the McNamara Headquarters Complex Army birthday celebration June 13.
“Generation after generation, through triumphs and trials – each soldier is a part of that story. A quarter of a millennium ago, determined patriots stepped forward, forging a force that would defend our freedoms and shape the destiny of a nation,” Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly said. “From the Revolutionary War to the modern battlefield, the Army has remained unwavering in its mission: to protect, to serve and to uphold the ideals that define America.”
Reminding the employees that the world and the battlefield have changed in the Army’s 250-year existence, Simerly said the one thing remains constant is the soldier’s spirit.
“That spirit will lead us into the next era with the same resolve that built this Army 250 years ago,” he noted.
Simerly emphasized the courage of those who dared to dream of a free nation one year before the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. He noted it was their bold vision and the leadership and unwavering resolve of the Army’s first Commander in Chief George Washington guiding the Continental Army through its earliest challenges and setting the course for generations of soldiers to follow.
When Washington took command of the Continental Army around Boston in 1775, his troops were skeptical, but his commanding presence embodied the image of a military leader, Simerly added. Washington’s physical leadership came into play during a massive brawl among his soldiers, but it was a belief in the cause and his deep respect for his men that earned their loyalty.
“His leadership was about forging unity, instilling discipline and shaping the character of an emerging nation,” Simerly said.
Simerly noted Washington’s legacy and his influence on the Army and the entire military cannot be overestimated, and neither can the influence of the Army on the formation of the United States of America.
“From its earliest days, the Army has been the backbone of our nation’s journey. During the Revolutionary War, brave soldiers stood against tyranny, securing our independence with steadfast resolve,” he said. “Their sacrifices helped lay the foundation for the United States as an independent, unified and strategically capable nation.”
Simerly reminded the audience today’s soldiers are still making history. They are deployed across the globe, safeguarding the nation’s interests, deterring threats and responding to crises with precision and professionalism.
“From cyber warfare to special operations, to humanitarian missions, to battlefield engagements – the modern soldier is trained and ready for any challenge,” he said. “They operate cutting-edge technology, mastering artificial intelligence and space-based capabilities to ensure America stays ahead in an ever-evolving world.”
On the Army’s 250th birthday, the director challenged the audience to salute the men and women who continue to carry the torch of service and sacrifice.
“Their dedication ensures that America remains strong, secure and free. They reinforce alliances, standing shoulder to shoulder with partners to uphold global stability,” he said.
Concluding the event, Army Maj. Amitabh Parshad, the oldest soldier in attendance, and the youngest soldier, Army Staff Sgt. Tyrone Lowery, joined Simerly for a cake cutting.
The DLA director’s Executive Chauffeur Army Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Calderon donned a drill sergeant hat to march soldiers from across the HQC to the stage as they stood in formation to sing cadence and recite the Army creed.