Segra Stadium site of Army birthday recognition

By Staff Report, posted Jun 11, 2021 on BizFayetteville.com

An early photo of Fort Bragg shows housing and other buildings on the base. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Fort Bragg.

A cake cutting ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. June 14 at Segra Stadium to celebrate the Army’s 246th birthday.

The celebration has significance in the Greater Fayetteville region for the military’s contribution to the local economy.

Home to the nation’s largest Army base, Fort Bragg has its own significant dates. The base first came into existence as Camp Bragg on Sept. 4, 1918. According to the Army, the base houses more than 500,000 active duty soldiers, as well as families and support personnel.

According to an impact study done in 2017, “Each 100 active duty military jobs in the region support as many as 60 other jobs (including civilians at Fort Bragg); each active duty military job can support an average of as much as $90,000 in labor income — representing soldier income plus income for a soldier’s share of supported jobs.”

During the upcoming birthday celebration, local business and military leaders will speak on the importance of Fort Bragg to the nation’s security, as well as it’s importance in the local economy.

“Whenever our nation has called, the United States Army has answered, and today, we celebrate the continued service, strength, professionalism and bravery that our soldiers have demonstrated for 246 years,” said Ariel Aponte, NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Assistant Secretary of Military Affairs. “In North Carolina — home to Fort Bragg, the largest U.S. Army base by population — we honor our Soldiers and Army Civilians, including those service members who made the ultimate sacrifice, and their families. It is because of their steadfast determination the Army will proudly celebrate many more birthdays in the future — and we will stand proudly by their side.”

Speakers will include the North Carolina Assistant Secretary of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Ariel Aponte, Fort Bragg Garrison Commander Col. Scott Pence, Fayetteville Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Jensen and Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Chair Charles Evans.

Hosts of the event include the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County as well as the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Association of the United States Army (Braxton Bragg Chapter) and Fort Bragg.

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