FORT BLISS, Texas -- It was a big day at Fort Bliss as soldiers celebrated the U.S. Army's 234th birthday and also held a Flag Day ceremony.

One soldier, who emigrated to America from Colombia, said he learned to love this country by joining the Army, which provided pay and benefits he said he could have never found in his homeland.

"He says ' OK, we're going to give you a job, we're going to train you, you're going to travel, and we're going to give you some education.' And then, all of the sudden, he said 'this is how much you're going to get paid," said Cpl. Carlos Molinares.

The American Army was established on June 14, 1775.