Elvis Birthday Party Will Have Military Theme

Presley Served In Army From 1960-62

POSTED: 2:48 pm EST January 7, 2002

Fans of the late Elvis Presley are honoring "The King" with a military salute to his days as a soldier.

Elvis PresleyTo mark the 67th anniversary of Elvis' birthday tomorrow, organizers at the Graceland estate in Memphis are throwing a party for fans with a focus on Presley's career in the Army.

Presley served two years in the Army and was discharged with the rank of sergeant in 1960. Graceland spokesman Todd Morgan said after the Sept. 11 attacks, it seemed appropriate to focus on Elvis' military service because "Elvis was a patriot."

The birthday dance tomorrow night has the theme of "G.I., Red, White and Blues." Several hundred fans are expected to be in Memphis to mark Elvis' birthday. A cake will be cut on Graceland's front lawn tomorrow.

Presley was born in Tupelo, Miss. on Jan. 8, 1935. His twin brother, Jessie, was stillborn, and Presley was raised as an only child. Presley died from a heart condition at his Memphis home, Graceland, on Aug. 16, 1977.