"Emergency Peace Demonstration" in Cambridge

The following is from an email announcement I received:

Emergency peace demo Tuesday June 14, 10:30 to 1, Cambridge Common

Veterans for Peace are coming as early as 8 AM. Others are setting up grave markers in front of the churches.

This Tuesday, the Army and National Guard will try to solve their
recruiting crisis -- in Cambridge. They are bringing military bands and
honor guards, a parachute jump team, Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans,
Recruiting and Retention's Super HumVee, and a UH-60 "Blackhawk"
Helicopter to Cambridge Common for the 230th birthday of the army.

Join to say:
-we're not enlisting in this war
-let's really support our troops
-bring them home NOW.

Gather on the sidewalk at 11 Garden Street, in front of a church
opposite Cambridge Common, starting at 10:30 AM. Show up when you can
and stay as long as you can; folks will be there till 1:00. They will
have flyers, props, and signs; bring your own sign if you want.

Above all, PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD to as many people as you can, COME,
and BRING PEOPLE. Please reply to [email protected] and say how many
you're bringing.

PS: Here are the National Guard press advisories about
this event. You'll note that they are also planning an induction
ceremony at Fenway Park at 6:00. If you want to protest outside the
ballpark between 5 and 6, call Paul Shannon at 617-623-5288 by Monday
night, be sure to leave your number, and we'll see if we have enough
people to do so.

*****
National Guard Celebrates 230th Army Birthday

POINT OF CONTACT: LTC Paul "Greg" Smith
Phone: (508) 233-6562 June 9, 2005

Mass. National Guard, City of Cambridge to Celebrate 230th Birthday of the U.S. Army
The Massachusetts National Guard will join with the U.S. Army and the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts to host a national celebration in honor of the 230th birthday of the United States Army, on the Cambridge Common, birthplace of the United States Army, Tuesday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The celebration will commemorate the proud heritage and mutual commitment shared by the Massachusetts National Guard, the City of Cambridge and the Unites States Army that began in the earliest days of our country's existence, and continues to the present day and beyond.

The National Guard has activated over 9000 soldiers and airmen in support of the current Global War on Terrorism at home and abroad. The Army's four oldest organizations, organized in 1636, are Massachusetts National Guard Units: 1st Battalion, 181st Infantry, 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry, 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery and the 101st Engineer Battalion.

The observance, scheduled to begin at noon, will feature the Under Secretary of the Army, Mr. Raymond Dubois as keynote speaker. Cambridge Mayor Michael A. Sullivan will give the city's greetings. Also scheduled to speak or participate in the program: Thomas Kelly, MA Secretary of Veteran's Services and special guest , Master David Smith, the 11-year-old son of our most recent Medal of Honor Recipient, Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith, who received our nation's highest award for bravery and gallantry posthumously just two months ago.

The Massachusetts National Guard proudly provides the following resources in celebration of the U.S Army's birthday: The Massachusetts Mounted Ceremonial Honor Guard; a detachment of Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans; Recruiting and Retention's Super HumVee; a UH-60 "Blackhawk" Helicopter and more.

Leaders, the National Guard Historian, Recruiting and Retention Representatives and soldiers of the Massachusetts Army National Guard, to include recent veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, will be on hand at the Cambridge Common from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for interviews or background information.

Pre-game activities at Fenway Park, starting at 6:00 p.m. will feature an enlistment ceremony for U.S. Army recruits, to include ten new Massachusetts National Guardsmen. Massachusetts National Guard leaders, recruiters and veterans will also be available for interviews at Fenway Park during the Red Sox game.

****

U.S. ARMY CELEBRATES 230TH BIRTHDAY, FLAG DAY WITH SIGNATURE EVENT ON CAMBRIDGE COMMON
The U.S. Army commemorates Flag Day and celebrates its 230th birthday this week by sponsoring and participating in many events in the United States and overseas.

The Armys birthday theme this year, Call to Duty 230 Years of Service to Our Nationrecognizes the U.S. Army soldiers active duty, Army National Guard and Army Reserve who are currently deployed to or stationed in more than 120 countries fighting in the war on terrorism, participating in peacekeeping missions and performing other vital missions while engaged in a historic Transformation for the future.

The City of Cambridge 230th Army Birthdaycelebration on Cambridge Common is a signature event for Army birthday week activities this year. The Under Secretary of the Army, the Honorable Raymond F. DuBois is the featured speaker, joining Cambridge mayor Michael A. Sullivan during a one-hour ceremony beginning at noon on Tuesday, June 14th. NASA Astronaut, Army Colonel Patrick Forrester, a veteran of two space walks will attend the ceremony as well as Mrs. Brigit Smith and 11 year old David, wife and son of Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith, the nations most recent recipient of the Medal of Honor. David Smith will lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance during the ceremony.

Cambridge Common is the site where 230 years ago much of the Army was billeted on June 14th, 1775 when the Continental Congress formally established the Army. On July 3rd, General George Washington arrived to Cambridge Common and took command of the newly formed Continental Army. Harvard University, located across the street from the Common played host to many militia during their stay in Cambridge, providing billeting for 1300 Soldiers from May 1st, 1775 to the following May. Now, 230 years later, Harvard University is once again opening its doors to the Army, providing billeting for a 12-person Army drill team.

The prestigious 3rd U.S. Infantry (Old Guard) Continental Color Guard; the Continental Fife & Drum Corps and the Drill Team from the Military District of Washington will participate in the noon ceremony as well as the Silver Wingsparachute demonstration jump team from Fort Benning, Ga. Soldiers and equipment from the 94th Regional Readiness Command and the Massachusetts National Guard will join Period Soldiers from the Lexington Militia, the famed 54th Glory Brigade, and the 5th Massachusetts Battery who will create a living picture of the history of the Army. Other honored guests include Mr. Russ Buchanan, a 105-year old WWI veteran, and Mr. Marvin Gilmore, a WWII D-Day veteran who served with the 458th anti-aircraft automatic weapons battalion. Mr. Gilmore was honored by former President Clinton for answering the Call to Duty.

The City of Cambridge event will compliment Army Birthday activities at the Pentagon, in New York City, at over a dozen Army posts in Kansas, Georgia, Virginia, Maryland and Missouri, and cake cutting ceremonies in Iraq and Afghanistan. Patriot Season events at 14 Major League ballparks, including Fenway Park will feature local area Soldier recognition and participation in pre-game activities. LiveSoldier Greetings from deployed New England Soldiers are being coordinated for downlink by local Boston area media from dvidshub.net.

The U.S. Army was formed on June 14, 1775.