Haddock measure celebrates Army’s 250th birthday
Rep. Jim Haddock June 10, 2025 | 3:54 PM
HARRISBURG, June 10 – The state House of Representatives unanimously approved a resolution sponsored by state Rep. Jim Haddock recognizing the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army on June 14.
“Today, between active duty, reserve, National Guard and civilian personnel, more than 1.2 million individuals ensure that our Army is prepared to protect our country. I introduced this resolution to recognize their selfless service and sacrifice, as well as that of those who have served before them,” said Haddock, a member of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.
“I asked my 10 House colleagues who served in the Army to be co-prime sponsors of this measure, because those who serve in our Armed Forces don’t recognize party affiliation and that is the way it should be. I think if George Washington was alive today, he would be proud of us for coming together in a bipartisan way to approve this resolution,” said Haddock, D-Luzerne/Lackawanna.
On June 14, 1775, the U.S. Continental Army was established to represent the original 13 colonies in the war for independence. At their core, this force was largely composed of riflemen hailing from Pennsylvania. Following the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the Continental Army was renamed the Army of the United States. Since then, the U.S. Army has served in every major conflict of the United States.
With nearly 700,000 veterans living in Pennsylvania, the commonwealth is home to the fifth-largest population of veterans in the country.