Oorah! Hooah! Hooyah! Madison County is ready for annual Armed Forces Celebration

HUNTSVILLE — Oorah!

To say the bonds between the community and the military are strong is putting it mildly.

Hooah!

And, to honor that relationship, the Huntsville/Madison County community plans a number of events for the annual Armed Forces Celebration.

Hooyah!

This year, it stretches into two weeks, officially starting next Monday morning with a proclamation signing and concluding June 14 with the AUSA Army 250th Birthday Ball.

Eyes front!

The schedule of events:

• Monday, 8 a.m. – Proclamation Signing Ceremony
  Huntsville/Madison County Veterans Memorial on Monroe Street
  Leaders from Huntsville, Madison, Madison County, and Redstone Arsenal will sign a proclamation to kick off the Armed Forces Celebration. The Rocket City Brass Band will perform patriotic music. In case of rain, the proclamation signing will be moved indoors to the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, 225 Church St. (The weather call will be made Sunday afternoon.)
• June 4, noon – Armed Forces Celebration Luncheon
  The Armed Forces Celebration Luncheon will be held in the VBC Saturn Ballroom. Redstone Arsenal is the home of the four-star Army Materiel Command and a dozen other Army commands and offices, as well as offices for the Missile Defense Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency. More than 45,000 people work on post, and over $50 billion in federal budgets are managed on Redstone. Lt. Gen. Christopher Mohan, Deputy Commanding General and Acting Commander of U.S. Army Materiel Command, is the scheduled speaker. 
• June 5, 6 p.m. – Annual Community Softball Game
  Community leaders will host Redstone Arsenal leaders in this annual Community Softball Game at Toyota Field.  Parking and admission are free; the first 500 people through the gates get a free hot dog. Additional concessions will be available for purchase.
  Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and first pitch is 6 p.m. The company or organization with the most fans in attendance will win the Grand Slam Spirit Award.
  The North Alabama Rockets and Team Redstone will be competing for the coveted “Target Destroyed” trophy. Come out and root them on. Here are some of the familiar faces you’ll see on the field – Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle; Madison Mayor Paul Finley; Madison County Commission Chairman Mac McCutcheon; Madison County Sheriff Kevin Turner; Huntsville Sports Commission Director Mark Russell; Maj. Gen. Kevin Meisler, Army Materiel Command Chief of Staff; Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. John Fritz; and others.
• June 6, 7 p.m. – Military Appreciation Night at Huntsville City FC
  It’s Military Appreciation Night at Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium. Huntsville City FC will take on Orlando City B at 7 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m.
  Before the game, the Redstone Test Center is scheduled to perform a flyover, and there will be military recognitions throughout the game. A private event will also be held for Gold Star Families. Tickets are available here.
• June 7, 3-9 p.m. – U.S. Army 250th Birthday Celebration at Redstone Gateway
  Join Redstone Family and MWR, Redstone Gateway, the city of Huntsville, and Huntsville Music Office to celebrate the Army’s 250th Birthday. This will be 3 to 9 p.m. at Redstone Gateway, outside Gate 9 on Research Park Boulevard. Bring the family and see the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team, a DJ, car show, band, and fireworks. More information here.
• June 9, 6:30 p.m. – Concert in the Park & Fireworks Show
  Come enjoy a night of music and fireworks at Big Spring Park downtown. Arts Huntsville and the City of Huntsville Department of Parks & Recreation’s 2025 Military Appreciation Night Concert in the Park will feature the Maneuver Center of Excellence Band from Fort Benning, Ga. More information here. 
• June 12, 6 p.m. – Dr. Richard G. “Dick” Rhoads Department of the Army Civilian of the Year Awards Dinner
  All nominees will be recognized at the dinner at the Jackson Center, 6001 Moquin Drive, and winners will be announced. Information/registration available here.
• June 14, 6 p.m. – The AUSA Army 250th Birthday Ball
  Join the Redstone Arsenal and Tennessee Valley community for the Army’s 250th Birthday Ball at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. This black-tie event honors Army traditions and will feature a cocktail hour, dinner, ceremonial program with live music, an Army history tribute, cake-cutting, dancing, and more. The evening will include special remarks from retired Gen. Gustave Perna. Information/registration available here. 

Dismissed!