The Armed Forces Celebration is a way for the community to show support to service members and the workforce on Redstone Arsenal who provide warfighters “the tools they need to do their jobs and to defend this great nation,†the chair of the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber's military affairs committee said Monday.
“We are proud to be a military community that plays a critical role in the defense of our nation,†retired Lt. Gen. Robert Rasch said at a proclamation signing event in the chamber auditorium. “Today, Redstone is responsible for the efficient management of over $100 billion in federal government programs.â€
The 2026 Armed Forces Celebration has “a great lineup of activities,†he said, and “this year's celebration is made all the more significant as we also celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country's founding on July 4th.â€
A proclamation designating June 6-13 as the region's Armed Forces Celebration Week was signed by Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Madison Mayor Ranae Bartlett and Madison County Commission Chairman Rex Vaughn. It was presented to Maj. Gen. Lori Robinson, commander of the Aviation and Missile Command.
Robinson noted that community leaders here turn observances into weeklong celebrations.
“It's not Veterans Day; it's Veterans Week,†she said. “And it's not Armed Forces Day; it is Armed Forces Week.†At Redstone Arsenal, “we appreciate the relationship that we have with the community here and everything that is done to support us there.
“We'll celebrate all of our armed forces this week with a number of events,†culminating on Saturday night with the Liberty & Legacy Army Birthday Ball at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. That event celebrates the Army's 251st birthday and America's 250th birthday.
Rasch read from the proclamation, which expresses support and gratitude to the members of the military community who “defend our country today and to the patriots who gave us this free nation 250 years ago.â€
The proclamation notes Redstone's “profound positive impact on our region,†accounting for more than 140,000 jobs and 12% of Alabama's total gross domestic product. It also credits the Arsenal with altering “the course of history for the Tennessee Valley region, bringing extraordinary economic growth, vast technical expertise and world acclaim to the area.â€
The Army, the Department of War and other federal organizations based on the installation have played “critical roles in the defense of our nation and the preservation of our liberty for 85 years,†according to the proclamation. The Redstone workforce provides service members with “the best weapons systems and materiel in the world, thereby saving the lives of countless Americans and allied warfighters.â€
Battle thanked members of the armed forces for their service and the community “for putting on an event like this that shows support of those who protect us.â€
“Each year Armed Forces Week gives us a moment to recognize the men and women who wear our nation's uniform,†Bartlett said. “In Madison and across North Alabama, we are so proud to live alongside many who serve.
“This week, we celebrate you and thank you.â€
Vaughn said he grew up learning about the sacrifices made by his grandfathers and great uncles, who served in World War II.
“There are no other heroes in our country that stack up to the military,†he said.
The proclamation signing included music from the Maneuver Center of Excellence Band.
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Billy Counts, co-chair of the military affairs committee, led the Pledge of Allegiance and Army Contracting Command Chaplain Jeffrey Mitchell delivered the benediction to close the event.
