U.S. Army units and organizations from Chicago’s military community rolled out to the Richard J. Daley Center, in downtown Chicago June 13 to celebrate the U.S. Army’s 239th birthday with the American public.The six-hour celebration, coordinated by the U.S. Army’s Midwestern Public Affairs Office, based in Chicago, had participation from various military and community leaders to include Gen. David Perkins, commanding general, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, as the key note speaker.Perkins recognized the Gold Star Families, families who have lost family members serving in combat zones, and gave remarks sharing a story that the U.S. Army is America’s Army and the U.S. Army’s boss is the American people."When you wear the uniform, you represent our boss, the American people," said Perkins.Perkins also explained that the U.S. Army birthday celebration, officially on June 14, was for America’s Army, and it is one year older than our nation.The celebration began with an "Army Experience" displaying Army tactical vehicles and soldiers in tactical gear from the Army Reserve’s 85th Support Command and 416th Theater Engineer Command, both based in the suburbs of Chicago, and the 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa.The Chicago Recruiting Battalion provided an H3 Hummer display, outdoor games, and made personal identification tags for spectators.Various displays were provided from the U.S. Corps of Engineers; U.S Army Cadet Command, the 3rd Brigade; United Service Organization (USO) of Illinois; the Pritzker Military Museum and Library; the Wounded Warrior Project; cadets from the Chicago Military Academy-Bronzeville; and the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.The formal ceremony began with a performance from the Hubbard High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadet Drill Team.A musical performance was provided by the Army Reserve’s 484th Army Band, based in Milwaukee.The band also provided the singing of the National Anthem by its lead vocalist, Spc. Heather Mendoza, during the posting of the colors by the 85th Support Command.The ceremony concluded with the signing of an Army Community Covenant, designed to foster and sustain effective state and community partnerships with the Army to improve the quality of life for soldiers, veterans and their families, by Perkins, Garcia, Balcer, Brig. Gen. Stephen Curda, commanding general, 351st Civil Affairs Command; Col. Christopher Drew, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District; and Lt. Col. James Jenson, Chicago Recruiting Battalion.The Army birthday cake cutting ceremony immediately followed and the Gold Star families were asked to join the military and community leaders on stage to cut the cake."Today we also honor you, [Gold Star Families] for you bear a burden we cannot comprehend," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Ernest White, master of ceremonies.Adding, "We are grateful for the support you gave your soldier, so they could carry out the mission protecting others. We are grateful you are here to carry on the story so that we might also know your soldier’s bravery. We thank you for your service and promise to help you carry on."