A popular saying in the U.S. Army conveys the ever-readiness of our soldiers, and their willingness to do what they set out to do despite harsh conditions: “If it ain't raining, we ain't training!”

It was raining in Huntsville, Alabama, on June 7. Quite a lot. However, that did not deter the soldiers of Redstone Arsenal, supporters of our troops from the surrounding Huntsville area, and members of the GTRI Huntsville Field Office/HRC from turning out in force to celebrate the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday with a boisterous outdoor party.

The Army’s birthday is officially June 14. However, the Redstone Gateway commercial district and the Redstone Arsenal military installation had planned an afternoon-long event with music, food, a car show, Army-related displays for kids and adults alike, and fireworks.

But then, the rains came, and then strong winds, and even the threat of severe conditions such as tornadoes.

The event was delayed, but not deterred. Hours after it was originally scheduled to begin—and even with debris strewn about the area, the party MARCHED ON.

Showing true Army resilience, the U.S. Army Parachute Team (“The Golden Knights”) even went ahead with a night jump.

A contingent from GTRI’s Huntsville Field Office still set up the GTRI booth, jovially engaged with attendees, and showed all that GTRI stands steadfastly behind the Redstone community and, of course, the U.S. Army. When the storm was buffeting the area, many vendors and sponsors left. However, GTRI, a sponsor, as well as a neighbor and staunch supporter, was one of the few that stuck it out.

“Despite the weather, it turned out to be a successful event,” said Morgan McBride, Huntsville Field Office Facility Manager and Field Office Operations Coordinator for all of GTRI. “We were able to show the Army that GTRI is there to support them, rain or shine! It was very beneficial to help make people aware of GTRI’s presence in Huntsville.”

McBride was joined by her GTRI Huntsville “battle buddies” Padraic (Paddy) Heiliger and Ian Slamen. Ian is a research engineer in GTRI’s Applied Systems Laboratory (ASL). Paddy is manager of the Huntsville Field Office.

Paddy is also a soldier. He served as a U.S. Army officer for 22 years. His distinguished career includes leadership positions within the Army Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors, the Army Space and Missile Defense Command, and the Missile Defense Agency.

"Honoring the Army’s 250th Birthday helps shine a spotlight on the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform," said Paddy. "Each soldier, and their families, give so much to protect our freedoms and uphold our nation’s values every day."

But last Saturday, Paddy, along with Morgan, Ian, and the large crowd of military personnel and civilians in attendance, were all supporters of the U.S. Army.

That day, despite obstacles and bad weather, they showed “the Army keeps rolling along.”

Said Paddy. "By helping mark this special anniversary, GTRI not only honors the past 250 years of courage and resilience but also affirms our shared responsibility to stand beside today’s service members and their loved ones."

Writer: Christopher Weems
GTRI Communications
Georgia Tech Research Institute
Atlanta, Georgia

Photos: Morgan McBride
GTRI
Georgia Tech Research Institute
Huntsville, Alabama

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 3,000 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $919 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry. GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.