“Pentagon of the South”

That’s one of Huntsville’s nicknames and one it wears proudly.

With more than 46,000 people working on Redstone Arsenal and more than $50 billion in federal budgets managed on the post, Redstone and the combined federal sector account for over half of the local economy.

Redstone is the home of the Army Material Command and a dozen other Army commands and Offices, as well as headquarters and facilities for the U.S. Space Command, the Missile Defense Agency, the FBI and the Defense Intelligence Agency.

In recognition of the role Redstone Arsenal plays in the defense of the nation and the economic impact it has on the region, the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber hosts a series of Armed Forces Celebration events every year.

Among the events, this year’s celebration (June 5-13) ranges from an Army birthday party to a Gold Star family appreciation night at Toyota Field to the Chamber signature Armed Forces Celebration Luncheon.

This year’s lineup:

June 5 – AUSA Iron Mike Golf Tournament, The Links at Redstone
4140 Goss Road
Registration is 7 a.m. with a shotgun Start at 8:30 a.m.
Funds raised from the tournament help support AUSA’s scholarship program.
Register online here.
June 6 – 251st Army Birthday Celebration at Redstone Gateway (outside Gate 9)
Open to the public, 4 to 9 p.m.
Car show, fireworks to cap off the evening.
For more information, click here.
June 7 – Gold Star Family Appreciation at the Rocket City Trash Pandas game.
Gold Star Families will be honored before the Trash Pandas game at Toyota Field and during a private event. These are the immediate relatives (spouses, parents, children, siblings) of U.S. military members who died in the line of duty, either in combat or during authorized active-duty service.
A military flyover is planned before the first pitch and the Trash Pandas will host Columbus at 4:05 p.m.
Tickets are available here.
June 8 – Proclamation signing ceremony
8 a.m. at Huntsville Madison County Veterans Memorial, downtown
Officials from Huntsville, Madison, and Madison County will sign a proclamation and present it to Team Redstone to kick off the celebration.
The Army’s Maneuver Center of Excellence Band will perform.
In case of rain, the proclamation signing will be moved indoors to the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, 225 Church St. The weather call will be made June 7.
June 8 – Concert in the Park at Big Spring Park
Free concert from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. featuring the Maneuver Center of Excellence Band. New Army recruits will also be sworn in.
In case of rain, the concert will be moved to the VBC.
June 9 – Armed Forces Celebration Luncheon, VBC Saturn Ballroom
The Armed Forces Celebration Luncheon will be at noon and feature Lt. Gen. Gavin A. Lawrence, deputy commanding general and Redstone senior commander, as the keynote speaker.
Redstone Good Neighbors will also be recognized and the Armed Forces Medley will be played.
Registration closes June 2. For more information, click here.
June 10 – Community Softball Game, Toyota Field
Gates open to the public at 5:30 p.m. and the game starts at 6 p.m.
The North Alabama Rockets (community leaders) will host Team Redstone in this annual softball game.
Parking and admission is free with free hot dogs to the first 500 attendees. Other concessions will be available for purchase.
The Rockets and Team Redstone will be competing for the coveted “Target Destroyed” trophy.
Also, the company or organization with the most fans in attendance will win the Grand Slam Spirit Award. (Tip for groups: Have a plan on when to arrive and where to sit together).
For game information, click here.
June 12 – Annual Redstone Prayer Breakfast
7:30 a.m. at The Summit at Redstone
The event is free for veterans, active duty military, retirees, Guard/Reserve and the military community
Register here. The deadline is 5 p.m. June 5.
June 13 – Annual Army Birthday Celebration
AUSA presents the Liberty and Legacy Army Birthday Ball at 6 p.m. at the Davidson Center at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
Register here.