Rock Island Today

Americans who fought in the Great War were the main focus of this year's birthday celebration of the U.S. Army in the Quad Cities recently.

In presenting its salute to the Army on its 242nd birthday, the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce billed this year's event as "Over There! A Celebration of the World War I Soldier," in recognition of the 100th anniversary of World War I.

The Rock Island Arsenal hosted the annual Army Ball at the Waterfront Convention Center in Betterndorf, Iowa.

“This event is steeped in tradition and rich in history, but one of the things that makes our celebration so unique is how so much of the community uses it as their chance to show how strongly they feel about the armed forces and to express our great gratitude to the military,” Jason Gordon, vice president of public affairs for the chamber, told the Rock Island Today. “Most of the balls being held involve military and civilian personnel. But with this one, it’s all about the people of the community and them having a chance to express themselves.”

Festivities included champagne toasts, cake-cutting activities, dinner and dancing.

“We’ll also be doing the 'President Toast' and tribute to fallen soldiers,” Gordon said before the event. “The Streamer Ceremony will be representative of every conflict and battle the Army has ever been involved in.”

Andrew Hove, executive director of AM General, delivered the keynote address, and several local mayors were also on hand.

The U.S. Army now touts just over 1 million soldiers, approximately half of which are active-duty members. The National Guard has more than 340,000 members and the Army Reserves numbers 200,000

The Army also has 400,000 civilian and contract employees.