For 239 years the U.S. Army has served as the strategic land power of the United States, called upon to “prevent, shape and win against opponents.” DIA celebrated the Army’s birthday June 13 at its headquarters in Washington, D.C. DIA Director Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn recalled the origin of the U.S. Army as he recounted the story of the opening gunfire at the Lexington Common April 19, 1775, which began the Battle of Lexington and Concord, marking the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. “Defense is the foundation of the nation, and the Army is the foundation of our nation’s defense,” Flynn said.
The ceremony’s keynote speaker, Sgt. Maj. David Redmon, Army deputy chief of staff G2 sergeant major, remarked that, “Today is a time to reflect on the history of the Army. The Army has always answered the call to service and always will.”
In keeping with tradition, the agency’s oldest and youngest soldiers toasted and cut the cake, and the ceremony concluded with the singing of the Army song.