U.S. Army North Commander Lt. Gen. John R. Evans, left, cuts a cake with San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, center, during a segment of a city council meeting June 8, 2023. U.S. Army North recognized the Army’s 248th birthday with local council members of downtown San Antonio, Texas with a cake cutting ceremony. U.S. Army photo/Spc. Noelani Revina

U.S. Army News:

Joint Base San Antonio – Fort Sam Houston, Texas – U.S. Army North celebrated the Army’s 248th birthday this morning with a ceremony in the historic Quadrangle at Fort Sam Houston.

Hosted by Lt. Gen. John Evans Jr., U.S. Army North’s commanding general and Command Sgt. Maj. Jerimiah E. Gan, senior enlisted leader, the ceremony included a birthday cake cutting with the youngest and oldest Soldiers in the command. The 323d Army Band “Fort Sam’s Own” provided music and Soldiers dressed in uniforms from different periods of the Army’s history.

“Even though we are celebrating 248 years in retrospect, unlike you and I who will have birthdays that will end at some point, the Army’s birthdays will never end, we are an enduring force for good and we’re counting on the American people to help us sustain our all-volunteer force for the future,” said Evans prior to cutting the Army’s birthday cake.

This year, U.S. Army North celebrates the 248th birthday of America’s Army and honor the commitment of the Soldiers, civilians, and families who embody the army’s values.

“For 248 years our Army has stood as the vanguard of freedom in our country. It is one of the oldest organizations in our country … older than our county itself. It is the spirit of the men and women that have served in our Army that keeps it alive … keeps it going,” Evans said.

The Army is one of the oldest institutions in our country, born on June 14, 1775. This year’s theme is “Be All You Can Be” – focusing on the Army’s unlimited possibilities. The Army has constantly challenged Soldiers to be all they can be.