Happy Birthday, U.S. Army

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the United States Army celebrated its 235th birthday. Since the Continental Congress first created the Continental Army to protect and secure our new Nation, men and women have continued to make the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom and independence. For three centuries, from the Revolutionary War to D-day and the current global war on terrorism and every day in between, America's soldiers have performed bravely. The American military has achieved the largest number of countries living today in freedom and democracy in the history of the world.

I appreciate firsthand the Army as a 31-year veteran of the Army Reserve and Army Guard myself. Also, my father served in the Army Air Corps as a Flying Tiger in China and India. But more meaningful to me is that I have three sons today serving in the Army National Guard, with my oldest son an Iraq veteran of the field artillery. On this 235th birthday, I extend my appreciation to those who have served or are currently serving and especially to those family and friends of soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of liberty.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism. Happy birthday, U.S. Army.

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