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FORT JACKSON, SC(WACH) -- Fort Jackson celebrated its 95th birthday Friday. Children of soldiers and civilians who work at the military base celebrated the day with a birthday party and cake.

Named after our nation's seventh president Andrew Jackson, Fort Jackson was established in 1917 as a response to the need for additional space to train troops for World War I. Thousands of troops went through Fort Jackson during that first World War, and the numbers increased in the years to come.

Fort Jackson now plays an even more critical role in the development of the U.S. military.

Garrison Commander Michael Graese said he is confident in how Fort Jackson is perceived as an important contributor to the health of the army and the nation.

"We train 50 percent of the basic combat trainees for the entire army," said Commander Graese. "That's a very important mission. 36,000 soldiers leave here trained -- ready to fulfill their basic combat skills as soldiers. And that's very very critical to the army. It's very critical to our nation."

Today Fort Jackson is the largest and most active initial entry training center in the United States Army. It continues to grow, adding several new schools and training institutes in recent years.