PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, the 1st Infantry Division was officially organized on June 8, 1917, in New York City before embarking to and England to defeat the Central Powers; and

WHEREAS, the 1st Infantry Division was established as the first permanent combined arms division in the Regular Army and has been on continuous duty since 1917, with more than 13,000 soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division that have paid the ultimate sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, the “Big Red One,” appropriately named due to its well-known and readily identified shoulder patch, was the first to fight in , World War II, and Vietnam and the first to return to Iraq in 2014; and

WHEREAS, Fort Riley serves as the Home of the “Big Red One” continuing their mission, “No Mission Too Difficult, No Sacrifice Too Great, Duty First;” and

WHEREAS, Manhattan is proud to recognize the 1st Infantry Division and offer our highest appreciation for the uniformed men and women offering their utmost devotion in service to their country to preserve our principles of justice, freedom, and democracy; and

WHEREAS, the City of Manhattan values our relationship with Fort Riley and our work together to form Intergovernmental Support Partnerships.

WHEREAS, we are pleased to support Victory Fest, Celebrating 100 Years of the “Big Red One,” on August 19, 2017, at the Marshall Army Airfield at Fort Riley and look forward to our collaboration with the Fort Riley Museum Complex and the Flint Hills Discovery Center upcoming exhibit Duty First: 100 Years of the Big Red One.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Usha Reddi, Mayor of the City of Manhattan, Kansas, call upon all citizens of Manhattan to recognize and celebrate the

100th ANNIVERSARY of the 1st INFANTRY DIVISION

by participating in the many community events planned at Fort Riley and to honor the Army’s oldest and First Division.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the City of Manhattan, Kansas, to be affixed this 15th day of August, 2017.

______Usha Reddi, Mayor