I was always sort of a fan of the bumper sticker that addressed perceived funding disparities between defense (i.e. war) and education.

It will be a great day when our schools get all the money they need and the air force has to hold a bake sale to buy a bomber.

Now, in honor of the U.S. Army’s 237th anniversary, we have the Cupcake Tank:

It’s the U.S. Army’s 237th anniversary, and what better way to celebrate than with food?

Admittedly, the military and gourmet chow don’t go hand in hand. Hard to imagine partygoers munching on MREs, hardtack and cream chipped beef on toast (known to some as “#$%@ on a shingle”).

So imagine our surprise when the folks at Georgetown Cupcake, the cupcakery featured on the TLC series “DC Cupcakes,” dropped by the Pentagon this morning to show Army brass their latest creation – a one-ton, life-size Army tank made up of 5,000 cupcakes and at least 200 pounds of camouflage fondant. Not only that, but the tank can shoot actual cupcakes from its cannon!

Yes, it fires cupcakes.

Estimates of the total cupcakeage range from 3,000 to 6,500 total cupcakes. It appears that no tax dollars went into creating this delicious monstrosity, so funding for more bombers is probably safe. If purchased by the dozen from the donating business establishment, the cupcake content of this tank alone would have a street value between $7,250 and $15,708.33.

Meanwhile, In New York City:

U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno cuts a cake marking the Army’s 237th anniversary on June 14, 2012 in Times Square in New York City. Odierno was joined by fellow Army troops as he swore in 16 new recruits in a ceremony celebrating the Army’s birthday. ”Cake Boss” reality show Buddy Valastro (R), helped Odierno cut the 500 pound cake in the shape of a tank, which Valastro said took 8 of his staff three days to prepare for the event. Photo: John Moore, Getty Images / 2012 Getty Images (via Houston Chronicle)

I’m not even going to try to guess what that cost.