Gentleman we in the Veteran Corps of Artillery are gathering the evening of Tuesday June 14th commonly known as Flag Day….and more importantly and less well known to the average man on the street … the birthday of the United States Army. This past week five US Army soldiers were killed while they were asleep in their bunks by rocket fire in Iraq, a place that has recently gone out of the minds of most Americans. Let us not forget them or those like them by raising a toast to their memory and for the sacrifice of all who still stand the watch in some lonely remote outpost.

The Corps will be firing 75mm howitzers that morning at FT. Hamilton at the request of the post commander COL. Michael Gould -branched Field Artillery to commemorate the Army birthday. This is the first time in eleven years that we were specifically tasked for this assignment by the Army, the branch we are most associated with. I can’t think of a better reason to come together later that evening as a unit.

Respectfully

Lieutenant Colonel Stephen J Ryan , USAR
Vice Commandant VCASNY