News

Army celebrates Army Birthday with Army kids
Date Posted: 6/3/2008

June 2, 2008
BY IMCOM Public Affairs

The Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command’s Child and Youth Services Directorate has developed age-appropriate Army birthday parties at installations around the globe to celebrate the Army’s 233rd birthday June 9-14.

“Kids instinctively know that birthdays are a big deal – they celebrate with their Families all the time. We want them to know they’re part of a larger Family – the Army Family,” said Donna McGrath, FMWRC Youth Sports and Fitness Program manager.

A variety of activities are being planned at 90 installations: Young children at Child Development Centers will enjoy an Army Birthday cake with 233 candles and a reading of a short book on the history of the Army by a special guest. Each child under the age of 5 will be given a copy of the book as a gift. School-age children will enjoy a “history” scavenger hunt and be asked to write a patriotic story about their own military Family. And teen events will include birthday balls, barbeques or a pool party, based on what the installation MWR and CYS have planned for each individual installation.

“The book readings and the birthday celebrations at CDCs and youth centers are our way of reinforcing to the kids that they’re a part of our Family, too,” said Jerry Haag, deputy director of FMWRC Family Programs.

The Army has a 233-year history of support to our nation – and Army Families have been an integral part of that history. The Army has made an unprecedented investment in facilities and programs for Army Families and Children over the past year. More than $1.4 billion has been programmed to improve or expand services and support for Soldiers and Families. Sharing the Army’s birthday celebration with our Army children helps them to understand the great contributions their parents make to our nation and the Army.