One hundred years of tradition, training troops and serving the community are all being marked this summer with two birthday celebrations.

Fort McCoy, near Sparta, Wisconsin, has housed soldiers from all different branches of the military for 100 years and this summer the post wants you to help it celebrate a century of service.

"It's something that we're very proud of,” says public affairs officer Linda Fournier. “A lot of people don't realize that we've been around since 1909."

Fournier says even with military cuts and base closures over the years, Fort McCoy has found a way to survive. And 100 years later, soldiers are still learning inside these walls.

"The troops weren't prepared. We didn't have a military force that could defend the country when we needed to call upon them. So back in the early 1900s they designated the post as a military training base."

Even though soldiers from Fort McCoy have fought in wars since World War I, Fournier says the training here is more than military.

"We had different things such as the Civilian Corp headquarters was at Fort McCoy. It's also peace keeping and supporting things such as natural disasters or hurricanes."

Fournier says the post was started as a camp by Robert Bruce McCoy, a local military man, who felt our bluffs and forests made a great training ground for our troops.

"It was through his efforts that this land was purchased by the War Department and a military base was established and that's why it bears his name today."

With troops from Fort McCoy supporting this country for 100 years, Fournier says public support is just as important.

"The support they provide to the troops is very, very important and we do truly, truly appreciate their support."

Fort McCoy is celebrating Armed Forces Day on May 16 and a special ceremony celebrating 100 years on June 13.