Downey holds ceremony to mark Army's birthday

Angel Adrian Velazquez takes the Army oath, administered by Mario Guerra, a civilian aide to the secretary of the Army, during Tuesday’s Downey City Council meeting. (Photo by Alex Dominguez)

DOWNEY — The Downey City Council celebrated the United States Army on Tuesday in recognition of its 249th birthday, including the official swearing in of a Downey student.

The Army was established by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, one year before the Declaration of Independence and 13 years before the Constitution.

“Ever since then, the United States Army has been here to protect and serve, and to defend our nation,” said Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army Mario Guerra, who spoke at Tuesday’s council meeting flanked by Army personnel.

The festivities were complimented by the official swearing in of Downey High School graduate Angel Adrian Velazquez. Velazquez, the son to migrant parents from Mexico, will attend school at Ft. Sam in Houston, Texas to become a Medical Logistic Specialist after completing basic training.