Schedule

Schedule

Army 250th Celebration, Day-by-Day

 
Friday, June 13, 2025
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
WASHINGTON CHAPEL VISIT AND VALLEY FORGE VISIT

Where: Washington Memorial Chapel, 2000 Valley Forge Park Rd, King of Prussia, PA 19406

Who: Rev. COL Karen Meeker

 

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
MEDAL OF HONOR GROVE TOUR & WREATH LAYING CEREMONY

Where: Founding Forward, 1601 Valley Forge Rd, Valley Forge, PA 19482

Who:

  • Rev. COL Karen Meeker
  • BG(R) Jack Haley, AUSA Vice President
  • Annette Kirk, Gold Star Mothers
  • Color Guard
  • Freedoms Foundation Staff 
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
ARMY 250TH COCKTAIL RECEPTION [INVITATION ONLY]

Where: The Galleria at Founding Forward, 1601 Valley Forge Rd, Valley Forge, PA 19482

Who:

  • GEN (R) Robert Brown, AUSA President
  • SMA(R) Dan Dailey
  • Ms. Annette Kirk, Incoming President of Gold Star Mothers
  • Medal Of Honor Recipients

Dress: Business Casual

 

Saturday, June 14, 2025
11:30 AM – 12:05 PM
STARS & STRIPES OPENING CEREMONY

Where: Visitor’s Center, Independence Mall

Who:

  • Major General John R. Pippy, Pennsylvania National Guard
  • Ms. Patricia Coyne, PFDA
  • Amnesty Kockinowski, NPS
  • Mr. Mark Squilla, Philadelphia City Councilman

Performances:

  • Tiffany McKeaney (National Anthem)
  • TRADOC, Military District of Washington Band

Dignitary List:

  • Betsty Ross
  • George Washington
1:20 PM
MILITARY-CIVILIAN PARADE

Where: From Arch Street to Independence Mall Visitor Center Stage

Who:

  • Brigadier General Daniel H. Hershkowitz, USAR
  • Army Units
  • Veteran Groups
  • Civic Organizations 
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM
BIRTHDAY CEREMONY & CAKE CUTTING

Where: Independence Mall Visitor Center, Philadelphia, PA

Who:

  • GEN James Mingus, VCoS-Army
  • MG Kris Belanger, USAR
  • Major General John R. Pippy
  • French Deputy Attache COL Thibaud Thomas
  • Hon. Ken Wong, AUSA CASA
3:30 PM
ENLISTMENT CEREMONY

Where: Independence Mall, Visitor’s Center Stage, Philadelphia, PA

Who:

  • LTG Johnny Davis, USAREC
  • COL Karen Meeker
  • 1LT Alma Cooper, Miss USA
  • Nate Boyer, Former Special Forces and NFL Player
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
ARMY BAND CONCERT

Where: Independence Mall, Philadelphia, PA

Who:

  • Nate Boyer, Former Special Forces and NFL Player
  • 1LT Alma Cooper, Miss USA

Performances:

  • Army Field Band
  • Gibson Girls
7:50 PM – 9:00 PM
VIP RECEPTION AT 1ST CITY TROOP [INVITATION ONLY]

Where: First City Troop, 23rd Street Armory, Philadelphia, PA

Who:

  • Key Army Leaders
  • Sponsors
  • Medal of Honor Recipients
  • Invited Guests
Sunday, June 15, 2025
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
CHURCH SERVICE AT CHRIST CHURCH

Where: Christ Church, Philadelphia, PA

Who:

  • Hon. Patrick J. Murphy
  • Rev. COL Karen Meeker
9:15 AM – 10:00 AM
GEORGE WASHINGTON COMMISSIONING

Where: Chestnut Street, vic. Independence Hall

Who:

  • Assembled Units, Army Band Element, Re-Enactors, (2ND Continental Congress)
  • MG Ret. Wes Craig
  • National Park Service Historian
10:00 AM
GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON 'TROOPS THE LINE' OF REPRESENTATIVE UNITS

Where: Chestnut Street, vic. Independence Hall

 

10:05 AM
PROCESSION TO WASHINGTON SQUARE

Where: From Independence Hall to Washington Square, Tomb of the Unknown

 

10:15 – 11:00 AM
WREATH LAYING CEREMONY AT WASHINGTON SQUARE

Where: Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA

Who:

  • LTG Mary Izaguirre, Army Surgeon General
  • COL Stacy Garrity, Philadelphia State Treasurer
  • Annette Kirk, Gold Star Mothers
  • City Councilman Mark Squilla
11:30 AM
CONCLUSION OF 250TH ARMY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Where: Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA