Cambridge US Army Birthday Celebration

The City of Cambridge will hold a ceremony to honor the United States Army on the occasion of its 230th birthday, at its birthplace on Cambridge Common. The ceremony, including pre- and post-ceremony events, will provide the public and nation with a historical perspective of the past, present and future of the United States Army, and will honor the service of our veterans both past and current. ? Starting at 9:00 AM, members of the Lexington Minutemen will reenact the militia encampment that occurred on Cambridge Common following the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775 and leading up to the Battle of Bunker Hill. ? Static displays from the Massachusetts Army National Guard, the 94th Regional Readiness Command, and Natick?s US Army Soldier Systems Center will give a snapshot of the present and future of the Army, thus completing the historiography. ? Visitors may see Washington?s headquarters in Cambridge at the Longfellow National Historic Site. ? Visitors will get a audio-visual display at the US Army?s Cinema Van ? At 11:00 AM, there will be demonstrations by the US Army Drill Team, the Continental Fife & Drums, and the Continental Color Guard ? At 11:30 AM, there will be performances by the 94th Regional Readiness Command Band ? At 11:50 AM, there will be a demonstration by the US Army's Silver Wings parachute team who will jump in with a flag and present it to the Mayor of the city. Ceremony events, scheduled from 12:00 - 1:00 PM include: ? Opening Remarks (MC is Cambridge Veterans' Services Rep) ? Arrival of Official Party (Governor, Mayor, and Under Secretary of the Army) ? Invocation (Chaplain, 94th Regional Readiness Command) ? Posting of Colors by Continental Color Guard ? National Anthem (94th Regional Readiness Command Band) ? Pledge of Allegiance (recited by Master David Smith, son of our most recent Medal of Honor Recipient) ? Reading of Presidential Proclamation (Student from Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School) ? Governor's Remarks and Reading of Governor's Proclamation ? Mayor's Remarks and Introduction of Guest Speaker ? Guest Speaker's Remarks (Hon. USA) ?Wreath Laying at the Washington Monument where Washington took command of the Continental Army (Military District of Washington Wreath Layer, Mayor and Hon. USA) ? Taps (City of Cambridge Bugler) ? Army Song (94th Regional Readiness Band) ? Signing of a Partnership for Youth Success agreement between the Army and the City of Cambridge ? Benediction (Massachusetts Army National Guard Chaplain) ? Departure of the Official Party ? Conclusion (MC) ? 94th Regional Readiness Command Band plays Following the ceremony, the Lieutenant Governor will sign a Partnership for Youth Success with the Army at the State House.