Children of Fort Lewis military Families celebrate the Army’s 234th Birthday

FORT LEWIS, Wash. – Soldiers, Families and civilians at Army installations worldwide are celebrating the U.S. Army’s birthday at many special events
throughout the month (the Army’s 234th birthday was formally commemorated June 14).

This week, Fort Lewis will host Army Birthday Parties at Child Development Centers on post.

Army Families have been an integral part of the 234-year history of the Army’s support to our Nation, and one way we’ll mark this year’s Army Birthday is at our Child Development Centers with several fun-filled activities like obstacle courses, field-day events, and plenty of birthday cake. There will also be reading of a short book titled “Happy Birthday U.S. Army” about the history of the Army. The book was written by U.S. Army Child & Youth Services.

First, beginning at 9:00 a.m., news media are invited to cover children at the Beachwood Child Development Center on North Fort Lewis as they celebrate the 234th Army Birthday. The celebration begins with Mr. William Harvey, Director of Family Morale Welfare and Recreation, reading the Army Birthday Book.

Some of the field-day events children will participate in as part of the celebration include: Marching in Army Boots, Special Forces Obstacle Course, Camouflage Slide, Paper Ball Toss, Parachute/Ball Game; Egg on a Spoon Race, Army Simon Says, and Camouflage Bean Bag Throw. Field day events begin after the birthday story and Mr. Harvey throws the first bean bag.

Second, at 2:30 p.m., birthday celebration field-day activities continue, ending at 4 p.m. with the singing of the birthday song, the Army Song, and birthday cake being served as parents pick up their children.