Retired General Gus Perna took center stage at the Association of the United States Army’s 250th Army Birthday Ball on Saturday, which took place in the Davidson Center at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
In his keynote address, Perna reflected on the rich history of the Army, stating, “For 250 years, the Army has stood watch through the Revolution and Civil War, through World Wars and the Cold War, through peacekeeping and humanitarian missions.”
He emphasized the Army’s resilience in the face of modern threats, saying, “At the face of terrorism and ever-emerging threats, we stood tall. We can be counted on to do our jobs.”
The former commander of the Army Materiel Command and chief operating officer of Operation Warp Speed praised the Army, asserting, “This is the greatest Army the world has ever seen.”
Perna’s speech during the black-tie event highlighted the significance of the anniversary beyond mere military celebration. “This celebration is more than recognizing a military anniversary; it is about thinking bigger than ourselves, bigger than the Army. This is about our nation,” he remarked.
He underscored the Army’s fundamental mission to defend the Constitution against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. “Nobody does what we do. We go and we fight and we win our wars. Why? Because winning matters. Winning matters when you are the example to the world,” he stated passionately.
Perna called attendees to recognize the role of the Army in protecting human rights worldwide, saying, “Winning matters when there are people who are not treated right, whether it’s around the world or in this country. It is our responsibility to fight and win the wars.”
The retired general placed great importance on the collaborations between the Army and various sectors, including DA civilians, the community, industry, and the families of Soldiers in uniform. “This community has been a big part of Redstone Arsenal’s success, of our Army’s success, and I am so grateful for everybody here, whether you are a Soldier, a DA civilian or just a supporter of what we do,” Perna expressed.
The celebration program featured a showcase of the evolution of Army uniforms over the past 250 years. Young men and women, dressed in period-specific attire, walked to the stage to represent different eras of Army history.
Using the youthful performers as a poignant reminder, Perna highlighted that the core age of Soldiers ranges from 18 to 23. “That is our Army – kids, children – that go and fight for us. They depend on leadership. They depend on their training. They depend on the best equipment and munitions in the world — that we provide here in America,” he stated.
In a heartfelt call to action, Perna encouraged attendees to connect with veterans and Soldiers they encounter, emphasizing, “Think about the 18, 19, 20-year-old kids who were scared to death coming out of basic training. Go say hello. Go buy them a coffee. Go get them a slice of pizza. Say thank you for their service.”
He urged people not to overlook those who have served, reminding them, “Spend a moment. Tell the veteran how great they are, because we are here today because of them.”
Perna noted that only about 1% of the U.S. population serves in the military, leaving the majority unaware of the realities faced by service members.
Concluding his address, he motivated the audience to embrace progress, saying, “It’s time for changing. The world is changing. The enemy is changing. We must be innovative, adaptive, and agile to defeat that enemy.”
He ended by rallying the crowd, reminding them, “We are the greatest Army the world has ever seen, right?”
The 250th Army Birthday Ball served not only as a celebration of the Army’s history but also as a reminder of the ongoing commitment and dedication required to protect and serve the nation.
image source from：army
