Army's 250th birthday commemoration held in Yorktown ahead of Fort Eustis event Friday
Virginia's governor and the secretary of the Army came to Yorktown on Thursday afternoon as part of several days of celebrations for the service's 250th birthday.
'Together, these links through the last 250 years demonstrate the proud patriots that form the most magnificent band of brothers,' Gov. Glenn Youngkin told the crowd of roughly 200. 'That's the legacy of service and sacrifice.'
The event marked the second in a three-part national series, and the speakers included Youngkin and Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll. Hampton Roads' largest Army installation, Fort Eustis in northern Newport News, will host a large event on Friday that is open to the public.
Driscoll emphasized technology's role in the United States' past and present, following opening remarks from Colonial National Historical Park Service Superintendent Jerri Marr and Virginia Commemorations President Ben Dendy.
'We have witnessed how readily available technology can disrupt power dynamics,' Driscoll said, citing Ukraine and Afghanistan as examples. 'The decisions that we make today will determine whether we can beat the challenges of tomorrow.'
Driscoll said Army transformation initiatives are essential to future innovation and imagination. He commended President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance for their leadership.
Youngkin echoed this sentiment, highlighting military pride and comparing Trump to George Washington.
'What we are seeing is an American resurgence in strength and an American resurgence in recruiting for our armed forces,' Youngkin said. 'A wave of patriotism is moving across the nation — that, my friends, is leadership.'
Attendees met Youngkin's speech with mixed reviews.
Philip Hamilton, legal services business owner and former Virginia General Assembly candidate, applauded Youngkin's words.
'He really brought everything together, talking about the origins of our Army up until present day,' Hamilton said.
In contrast, Mark Sullivan — who held a sign that read 'The Fight for Freedom is NOW' — criticized the remarks.
'This was 'put on the reel for my campaign for '28,'' Sullivan said of the governor. 'I'm standing up for my grandkids, and I hope we have democracy when they're my age.'
On Friday, the local 250th anniversary celebration will turn to Fort Eustis.
The Fort Eustis event — free and open to the public — marks a 'historic milestone honoring two and a half centuries of service, sacrifice and strength' since the Army was founded in 1775.
The event runs from 2-8 p.m. Friday at Murphy Field at the Newport News base.
It will include family activities as well as food trucks and displays of Army vehicles, helicopters and boats and more. That will be followed by a concert with the Nashville Nights Band at 6 p.m. and a fireworks display at 8:30 p.m.
Adults will need a government-issued ID — such as a driver's license — to get in.
There's a related golfing event, at the Pines Golf Course, during the day for a $50 per person fee. There's also a related ball — the 250th Birthday Ball — on Saturday evening at the Marriott hotel at City Center, also for a fee.
More information on parking and frequently asked questions is available at jble-eustismwr.com/army250. Or go to the event's Facebook page at 'Fort Eustis Army 250th Birthday Celebration.'
Also on Saturday, the governor's band of the Virginia Army National Guard will perform a music festival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
At noon, visitors will be invited to fall in line as a Continental Army solider and drill with a musket.
And at 1 p.m., a presentation explores the prisoner-of-war experiences during the American Revolution, followed by an artillery salute at 3 p.m.
Saturday's events are included as part of admission to American Revolution at Yorktown, at 200 Water Street. The fees are $20 for those 13 and up, and $10 for those 6-12. Children under 5 are free, though residents of York, James City and Williamsburg get in free.
At 7 p.m. Saturday, there will be a one-man theatrical presentation — 'The American Soldier' — also at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
This is based on letters from soldiers from the revolution to the present day, with the performance delving into the internal conflicts that many soldiers feel in coming home.
Admission to the show is $17 per person. Tickets are available at the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation's website.
Maddie Mohamadi, madeleineleila.mohamadi@virginiamedia.com
Peter Dujardin, 757-897-2062, pdujardin@dailypress.com
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