Army Strong, for 233 Years

They began as a ragged bunch of farmers and businessmen who believed in an idea; a free Continental Colonial America free from English rule. Today, the United States Army celebrates it's 233rd birthday.

At the outset of the American Revolution in April of 1775, the American Colonies had no standing army. Initial confrontations with British forces were conducted by militia units in Lexington and Concord. A gathering of thousands of New England militiamen to lay siege to British troops at Boston prompted the Second Continental Congress to realize the need for a centralized command structure, and on June 14th of 1775, the Continental Army was born. The next day, George Washington was unanimously voted by the Congress to be the Commander in Chief, a position for which he refused any recompense other than reimbursement for his personal expenses.

From Bunker Hill to Baghdad, the Army, the first commissioned military organization by a congressional body in our nation, has held the standard for service and excellence in standing ready to defend our nation. And today, this oldest branch of our nation's military is an all volunteer organization of highly trained men and women who utilize a wide range of technology and equipment applied to old fashioned traditions and standards.

Take a moment today to visit the Army Birthday website, and to reflect and give a moment of thanks for the men and women who have devoted a portion of, or the entirety of, their lives to ensure that a nation and a people remain free.

233 years.

Army Strong.

Drive on!

Once and ALWAYS, and American Fighting Man (and proud Army vet)

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