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Hinesville celebrates Army's birthday
Army BD
A birthday cake made by baker Judi Mills of Southern Sweets Cafe and Bakery in honor of the Army’s 243rd birthday. The celebration went on despite rain. See more photos on page 3. - photo by Patty Leon


People piled under a makeshift rain tent during Thursday’s Farmers Market to celebrate the 243rd birthday of the U.S. Army.

Fort Stewart Garrison Commander Col. Jason Wolter marveled at the extravagant cake made by Judi Mills of Southern Sweets bakery. 

The cake featured a set of combat boots in front a tall tiered cake marked with the emblem of the U.S. Army, the 3rd Infantry Division, and draped with the American flag.

“Today is your Army’s 243rd birthday,” Wolter said. “This birthday is special because it is also the 100th anniversary of WWI where nearly 2 million Americans contributed in that campaign to free Europe. It is also the 100 year anniversary of the third infantry’s namesake Rock of the Marne.”

Wolter said the Army gets a lot of support from county and city officials and a lot of love from the community.

“The Army is great because of the people, not just the soldiers in uniforms,” he said. “It is their families and it is this great community showing us great support for more than seven decades now.”

Before singing happy birthday, Wolter said there are 180,000 soldier deployed across the world now. He asked for everyone to keep those still serving in their thoughts.

“There are soldiers from this division in Afghanistan and Korea who continue to carry on the great legacy that has made this nation’s army so great for so long,” he said.

The garrison commander also extended an invitation to the community to celebrate the next great birthday event, the Fourth of July.

Fort Stewart brought back its free Fourth of July concert and fireworks event. 

The concert headliner is Three Doors Down.


Celebration Held Downtown in Honor of Army's 243rd Birthday

By: Lewis Levine

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Community gets a rare snow day
Snow Day 1

City of Hinesville and Liberty County offices are closed today, and the Liberty County School System is undergoing a day of virtual learning after a winter storm hit southeast Georgia.

Coastal Georgia was inundated with one of the biggest snowfalls in recorded history as forecasters called for 4-6 inches of snow to fall Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Initial reports Wednesday morning indicate at least 2 inches fell on Hinesville. 

 Sean Hafer and his family took advantage of the quiet roads and still Wednesday morning to enjoy the snow at Bradwell Park. He’s lived in Hinesville for almost 12 years and recalled the snow storm of 2018. But that snow was “not this deep,” he said. “It’s been a while. 

“I don’t think many people went to work to- day,” Hafer said. “You think people would be out in it having fun, but I guess they’re scared to drive in it. It’s fun when you don’t get it around here.” 

Hafer said he was curious to see how much snow was going to fall. 

“They did well on this,” he said of the meteorologists. “They were accurate. They earned their pay on this one.” 

The City of Hinesville declared a state of emergency Tuesday in advance of the storm and residents are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel due to potential severe weather conditions. Melting snow and ice can refreeze overnight, making roads dangerous. 

 Liberty County offices will remain closed until Friday. Liberty County School System students are having virtual learning Thursday. 

 While daytime highs will be more temperate, overnight lows for the next few days are expected to remain well below freezing. The City of Hinesville encourag- es residents to drip their faucets overnight, insulate exposed pipes and to let warm air circulate around pipes by opening cabinet doors under sinks, especially those near exterior walls. 

The city also is reporting no power outages and all traffic lights are operational. Since most businesses are closed, traffic is minimal and residents are urged not to travel unless necessary.

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