Happy 237th

Gov. Neil Abercrombie (center) presents Maj. Gen. Joe Chaves (front, second from left), deputy commanding general, USARPAC, a state proclamation declaring June 14, 2012, as “U.S. Army Day” in Hawaii. Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, USARPAC, join in the ceremony at the Hawaii State Capitol, June 7. (Courtesy photo)

Army birthday celebration continues at FS, Saturday

U.S. Army-Pacific
Public Affairs Office

FORT SHAFTER — Join U.S. Army-Pacific in celebrating the Army’s 237th birthday, Saturday, starting at 2 p.m., at historic Palm Circle, here.

Bring your family, friends and neighbors, and be prepared to have a good time with a day chock-full of activities.

USARPAC invites Soldiers, families and friends to historic Palm Circle to celebrate the Army’s 237th birthday with polo and other activities, Saturday.

USARPAC units will compete in a private carrying contest, a tug of war competition, a ski race, best beverage and dessert contest, and musical chairs. A unit competition for the best tent decoration will also take place.

The Military Historic Vehicle Association will showcase vintage vehicles from World War II, and Military Police will provide K9 demonstrations. Daylong events also include children’s activities, food, music and more.

Stay for the evening’s feature event: the Army Gold versus Army Black polo match.

Polo in Hawaii is an Army tradition. The sport was routinely played at pre-World War II Schofield Barracks. According to a 1923 Army polo flier, the 4th and 5th Cavalries at Schofield and the 1st Field Artillery placed good teams. In fact, one of the most notable players of the time, Gen. George Patton, led the Army team.

Patton, a lieutenant colonel at the time, lived on Palm Circle, where this year’s match will take place.

The community is encouraged to bring coolers, folding chairs, umbrellas, canopy pop-ups and plenty of enthusiasm, but cooking grills are not allowed on Palm Circle.

Tags: Army birthday, families, featured, full-image, morale, Polo Paina, quality of life, sports, U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii (USAG-HI), U.S. Army-Pacific (USARPAC), working dogs

Category: Army Community Covenant, Army Family Covenant, News, Observances