Transcript: Mayor Adams Hosts and Delivers Remarks at U.S. Army’s 250th Breakfast Reception

June 26, 2025

Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you, and I join the deputy mayor and the commissioner in saying happy birthday, and I believe both of them really gave us a moment of reflection because often times when you have the permanency of any entity, you tend to take it for granted. And when you look at the roles of our military service men and women, it's important to understand it's the foundation that make us who we are, but specifically the Army, who we are acknowledging today. 

250 years is a significant moment, and as our national anthem states, the rocket red glare, a bomb burst in the air, gave proof through the night our flag was still there. Those words are so powerful and profound, because the bombs are not often just physical bombs, bombs of terrorism, the bombs of uncertainty when we go and fight in distant shores. 

But it's the bombs of depression, the bombs of recession, the bombs of COVID, the bombs of not knowing what tomorrow would hold. But the consistency of our flag still being there, no matter what, is because of the Army and the other men and women of our military service. And it is the most important entity that makes us who we are. 

You watered the tree of freedom that allowed us to sit under it to prevent the hate and discomfort of the large and hard rays of the hateful sun. So I want to thank you personally here as you grace Gracie Mansion, but not only those of you who are wearing the uniform, but your family members, because when you serve, they too serve. They too have the feeling of uncertainty and the consistent presence that you give us all to make us feel assured. This is the greatest country on the globe. No one lines our borders to leave America. They line our borders to come into America. 

We have the best product. And those who continue to be radicalized on every level of our country from our college campuses to our streets, we must regain the spirit and energy of who we are and what we are made of. We're made up of the best stuff on earth. We are Americans. And I'm proud to do that. And each time I hear someone desecrate our flag or desecrate what we stand for, I reflect on a 19-year-old young man from Alabama who decided to fight in the Vietnam War. He did not agree with the principles and concepts that was associated with the war, but he believed that when his country calls him, he responds. 

My 19-year-old uncle died on the field of battle, and he represents what's best about our country and those who go off to protect what we stand for, our way of life. And so we're looking forward to next year, as we do for the first time, honor those men and women who left our country to defend us in the global war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. And take a parade for our post-9/11 veterans. 

New Yorkers not only say we'll never forget, but we live through that we will never forget. On Monday, July 6, 2026, we will host our Homecoming Heroes Parade. But that homecoming acknowledgment starts today, as we honor the 250 years of the American Fighting Services, what we call our U.S. Army. Thank you for what you do and who you represent. And at this time, I want to welcome Brigadier General John P. Lloyd and Lieutenant Colonel John Rocky Rhodes, who will present a proclamation to him.

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