They cut a cake with a sword at City Hall today, as the City, a little bit early, honored the 242nd birthday of the U.S. Army, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
In a tradition that is carried out at Army posts throughout the world, Mayor Taylor was served the cake as the civilian host, and Councilman Ray Lopez, a Vietnam Era Army veteran, stood in as the 'oldest soldier' for the cake cutting ceremony.
Lt. Gen Jeffrey Buchanan, the Commander of Army North, says the city's ties to the Army go back a long time.
"It goes back to the forming and training of the Rough Riders, and San Antonio was a major mobilization site for World War One," he said.
In fact, Buchanan said this month is the appropriate time to celebrate the Army's ties to San Antonio.
"100 years ago this very month, Black Jack Pershing, who was then the Senior Commander of Ft. Sam Houston, arrived in France to take over as commander of the U.S. Expeditionary Force."
Several members of Council pointed out that efforts designed to protect Camp Bullis were front and center on the City's agenda during the recently ended session of the Texas Legislature.
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