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USFK commander to celebrate Army’s 242nd birthday with soldiers in Japan
Stars and Stripes
June 15, 2017
The Camp Zama Dining Facility served two cakes for the Army's 242nd birthday, Wednesday, June 14, 2017. (Leon Cook/Stars and Stripes)
CAMP ZAMA, Japan — The commander of U.S. Forces Korea is heading to Japan to help celebrate the Army’s 242nd birthday.
Gen. Vincent Brooks will address troops at a birthday ball on Friday Camp Zama, headquarters of U.S. Army Japan and I Corps (forward), said Kevin Krejcarek, an Army spokesman.
Wednesday marked 242 years since the Continental Army was formed to fight for American independence. Camp Zama has been hosting a range of activities this week to mark the milestone.
At the dining facility on Wednesday, soldiers sank their teeth into a “surf and turf” lunch with steak, spare ribs, lobster, shrimp and other foods, capped off with a sumptuous birthday cake. After lunch, they cheered their units on during a softball tournament.
Other events at Zama this week include a 10-mile race, swimming competitions and tournaments ranging from golf to Army Combatives, the service’s hand-to-hand combat style.