Army Reserve senior leader makes history at America’s birthplace
Maj. Gen. Rodney Faulk (right), commanding general of the Army Reserve’s 99th Readiness Division, and Air Vice-Marshal Mick Smeath, British defence attache to the United States, join military and community members gathered at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia June 14 to celebrate Flag Day and the U.S. Army’s 247th birthday. The day’s events began with a naturalization ceremony for 13 new U.S. citizens, followed by remarks from several senior Army leaders, the administering of the Oath of Enlistment to dozens of new Army recruits, and a traditional cutting of the Army birthday cake. The final event featured a tree-planting in Washington Square as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Green Canopy initiative celebrating her 70 years on the throne of England, as well as a wreath-laying at the park’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. (U.S. Army photo by Sal Ottaviano, 99th Readiness Division Public Affairs)