Week of the Eagles closes with Air Assault demo, Army birthday celebration at Fort Campbell | VIDEO

FORT CAMPBELL, KY (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Week of the Eagles wrapped up Saturday with a full day of events marking the end of the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday. The day’s events included an air assault demonstration, a cake-cutting ceremony, a swearing-in ceremony for future soldiers, and a live concert by country artist Andy Ross.

Hundreds of soldiers, veterans, families, and community members gathered at Fort Campbell to take part in the festivities. One of the highlights of the day was the ceremonial cake cutting using a sword over 250 years old.

“It was the Army soldier that stood up for freedom in 1775. Two and a half centuries later, it is the soldier who still stands up for freedom and liberty across the entire globe,” said Brig. Gen. Travis McIntosh. “We are celebrating 250 years of the greatest army in the greatest nation on earth. Happy birthday.”

The air assault demonstration showed off the capabilities of the 101st Airborne Division, including CH-47 Chinook helicopters, advanced weapons, and the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV). “The significance of the air assault demonstration is to show the capabilities, the lethality that the nation’s premier and only air assault division brings to our national defense,” said Master Sgt. Anthony Hewitt, spokesperson for the 101st Airborne Division.

The day also included a swearing-in ceremony for 20 future soldiers, led by McIntosh. “They’re raising their right hand to an oath of enlistment,” said Hewitt. “Within a few months, they’ll be headed off to basic training, and then, shortly after that, they’ll go to an advanced individual training, which will then focus on their occupational specialty.”

Week of the Eagles is held annually at Fort Campbell and features a wide range of events throughout the week, from sporting competitions to military displays. This year’s event was even more special because it marked the Army’s 250th birthday.

“This is one of our biggest events in the Clarksville and surrounding Fort Campbell area that we have each year,” Hewitt said. “It’s a really good opportunity, especially for the kids. You never know when a child’s going to get super excited, and the next thing you know, we have another soldier in a few years.”

| MORE: For more events, check out the Summer Fun Guide, Farmers Markets and the Clarksville Events calendar.