Photo By Bethany Huff | Maj. Gen. Troy Kok, the 99th Readiness Division commander speaks with Soldiers from...... read more read more
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Two years later, the same body of delegates passed the Flag Resolution, creating the first version of what would become the United States Flag.
To celebrate these two anniversaries, Maj. Gen. Troy D. Kok, commanding general of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 99th Readiness Division, spent June 14 here taking part in the annual Stripes and Stars Festival.
“Two-hundred forty-two years ago today, our Army was created behind us in this building,” Kok said to the crowds gathered outside Independence Hall for the day’s opening ceremony. “Time and again, our Army has answered our nation’s call. All components of our Army – Active Component, Army Reserve and Army National Guard – are keys to our Total Army readiness, keys to what makes America strong, keys to what makes our Army the greatest army on the face of the earth.”
Kok also participated in a naturalization ceremony that afternoon at the Betsy Ross House here, welcoming 13 new U.S. citizens.
“Here we are today, welcoming thirteen new citizens into our great country,” Kok said. “I am so proud of you. Everything that you are is what we are, everything that you’ve been is what we are today, and what you bring to our country is of such value.
There were also several flag-raising ceremonies around the city honoring the U.S. Flag’s 241st birthday.
“Every time I stand up and salute our Flag and we play our National Anthem, I think of how many places that Flag has been, and all those Soldiers who have served before me, and what it stood for them as they were away from home defending freedom and democracy,” Kok said.
The day’s events were sponsored by the William Penn Chapter of the AUSA and the Philadelphia Flag Day Association.
“Our Army is our guardian of freedom, our defender of our way of life, and must remain ready at all times,” Kok said. “A ready force is the foundation of our Army’s ability to fight and win our nation’s wars.”
| Date Taken: | 06.14.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.15.2018 15:04 |
| Story ID: | 281145 |
| Location: | PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 62 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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