By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
On Saturday, June 14, 2025, the United States Army turned 250 years old. It was also Flag Day, and there was a bash put on in our nation’s capital that could only be described with two words: stunning and spectacular. To say that it went off without a hitch does not do it justice, and to say that I and millions of other Americans were both joyful and deeply moved is the focus of this Publisher’s Point.
There were displays of period costumes that illustrated Army uniforms from the Revolutionary War until the present day. Then, there were aircraft that spanned the last eight decades.
· World War II-era aircraft:
· B-25 Mitchell bomber
· P-51 Mustangs
· Douglas C-47 Skytrain
· Current Army aircraft:
· UH-60 Black Hawks
· AH-64 Apache attack helicopters
· CH-47 Chinook heavy lift helicopters
· MH-6 Little Bird helicopter
· AH-6 Light attack helicopter
· MH-60 helicopter
· MH-60L DAP helicopter
· Bell UH-1 Iroquois or ‘Huey’ helicopters
· Bell AH-1 Cobra helicopters
· Hughes OH-6 Cayuse helicopter
My dad flew P-51 Mustangs during WWII, amongst others. By contrast, the display of drones as well as robotic “dogs” illustrated the future of warfare, and definitely gave one pause. The re-up ceremony conducted by President Trump was something that I am sure will live forever in the hearts of the soldiers who decided to give more years of their lives in defense of America.
The music was marvelous. The performers were the U.S. Army Drill Team; the U.S. Army Band-Latin Ensemble; the U.S. Army Band-Downrange; DJ Nyla Symone; Scotty Hasting, a wounded warrior who served in Afghanistan; and country singers Noah Hicks and Warren Zeiders. Speaking personally, I saved the best for last, and that was the legendary Lee Greenwood. Mr. Greenwood is now 82 years old, and as many times as I have heard him sing “God Bless The USA,” this time I sobbed unashamedly. His voice was clear and strong, as was his message. He stated on his Facebook page the following:
What an unforgettable honor to perform “God Bless the USA” for the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday. Proud to stand with our heroes and celebrate this incredible milestone.
Lee Greenwood told me once in a chance meeting here in Athens at a dedication of a Wounded Warrior home, “We serve the God of second chances; keep going, girl.” We do indeed, and I intend to.
And then, there were the fireworks. Honestly, I did not know that fireworks could do what they did. If I didn’t know better, I would have said they were computer generated.
As wonderful and awe-inspiring were all the trappings of the entire gala, what encouraged me the most were two young people who were curbside reporters for FOX news. Their names are Lawrence Jones and Emily Compagno. They were boldly patriotic, positive, and delightful. Both came from long lines of soldiers who served; in Lawrence’s case, slaves who were first freed and then fought. What could have been a better example of what our country stands for? Not the tanks, not the “birds,” but the people who live out the story, and make soldiers glad to be, as I often heard in Iraq, “part of something bigger.” Happy Birthday, Army, and thank you for keeping us free.
June 20, 2025
