LYNN — The City honored and celebrated the 250th birthday of the U.S Army on Friday.
First responders, veterans, and their families filled the foyer of City Hall. Roger Comeau served for 2 ½ years in Germany during the Berlin Crisis from 1959-1962.
He said he is “proud to have served” the country and was excited to celebrate at the ceremony.
Col. Tonia Costa of the Massachusetts Army and National Guard said she served in Iraq twice, during the Boston bombing, during many storms, tornadoes, and hurricanes that hit Massachusetts, and at the White House. She has firsthand experience of what the Army is capable of.
“It’s discipline, it’s resilience in its heart — from the Minutemen who stood in Lexington to the soldiers serving across the globe today, the Army has never wavered in its commitment to serve the American people with honor and integrity,” she said.
Costa added that serving in the Army is not just about being on the frontlines, but it’s about the people who support them along the way.
“It’s the backbone of the force, and it’s made up of ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things. To the next generation of soldiers, you are inheriting a legacy of excellence and honor. I implore you to continue with that pride.”
Mayor Jared C. Nicholson said, “We would not have a country if it were not for the brave men and women of our armed services who fought 250 years ago to start a new country and create a great democracy .”
The ceremony carried on the proud tradition of cutting the army birthday cake, not with a regular knife, but with a ceremonial sword.
“The Army’s rich heritage of using the sword represents the Army’s long-standing tradition of strength, discipline, and arms. It connects us to the warriors who came before us, those who stood in the line, defended our freedoms, and carried the weight of history on their shoulders,” said director of veteran’s services Michael Sweeney.
Korean War veteran James “Jim” Smith, 93, cut the cake alongside the youngest enlisted officer Jorge Monzon, as part of a tradition to have the oldest and youngest Army personal at the ceremony to cut the cake together.
Smith said he was very happy to be celebrating at the event. Smith also sung the national anthem at the start of the ceremony.
Smith was stationed in France for 17 months from 1952 to 1954, serving as a private in the U.S. Army.
Due to his poor eyesight, Smith was kept away from battle, spending the majority of his deployment unloading supplies and moving machinery from trucks and trains.
Monzon who is a 12 bravo in the Army National Guard said he was proud to represent the Army at the ceremony. He said he is going to be the new Army recruiter for the area.
He said this ceremony was important to him because he came to the United States in 2008 but only received a green card in 2021.
He said he wanted to be a good role model for children in the community who may want to join the U.S. Army but have mixed-immigration status.
