Viewfinder: More On The 236th Birthday Of The U.S. Army

In a birthday ceremony Tuesday at Quinlan Center in Cupertino, the U.S. Army celebrated the nation's 236th anniversary with a swearing-in ceremony for a couple dozen Bay Area recruits.

Mayor Gilbert Wong received a U.S. Army "coin" from Lt. Col. Rich Rivera, which bonds Wong—with a wink and a nod—to service men and women who may also carry the coin.

The event also highlighted the signing of an Army Community Covenant signed by the Cupertino City Council, and other area dignitaries.

"Today is not the beginning of our efforts to work together or support of our soldiers. Today's ceremony is simply a symbolic and visual representation of the hard work which has occurred behind the scenes," says Maj. General Eldon P. Regua. "It is a public affirmation of the commitment that we share to continue to work together in partnership to build our future together."