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.