CHARLESTON, W.Va. –
The West Virginia National Guard celebrated the 382nd birthday of the National Guard at their Joint Force Headquarters in Charleston today.
More than 300 Soldiers, Airmen, National Guard retirees and special guests participated in the ceremonies honoring the National Guard, which included presentations on the history of the National Guard, static historical displays, and remarks from local and state representatives.
Special guests included Mike Hall, Chief of Staff for Governor Jim Justice; Jeff Sandy, Secretary of Military Affairs and Public Safety; and Mr. Richard Frazier, Field Representative for Sen. Shelley Moore Capito. Remarks were also provided by Sen. Joe Manchin III.
Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard, highlighted the significant history of the National Guard as a whole, and discussed the lineage of the West Virginia National Guard.
“It’s important to think through what the National Guard means and represents to the Nation,” Hoyer remarked. “382 years of militia service to the Nation. We’ve got a long lineage to live up to, but we are living up to it every day. Whether it is the overseas mission, the corrections mission, flood recovery, mine rescues – all those things – The West Virginia National Guard responds to the call both here at home and abroad.”
In 1636, the first militia regiments in North America were organized in Massachusetts. Based upon an order of the Massachusetts Bay Colony's General Court, the colony's militia was organized into three permanent regiments to better defend the colony.
Today, the descendants of these first regiments - the 181st Infantry, the 182nd Infantry, the 101st Field Artillery, and the 101st Engineer Battalion of the Massachusetts Army National Guard – share the distinction of being the oldest units in the U.S. military.
December 13, 1636, thus marks the beginning of the organized militia, and the birth of the National Guard's oldest organized units. It is symbolic of the founding of all the state, territory, and District of Columbia militias that collectively make up today's National Guard.
The West Virginia National Guard was founded in 1735 as the first militia company and was organized by Morgan Morgan in Berkeley County. What is now considered the oldest active unit in the U.S. Army, the 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery Regiment derived its roots from West Virginia militiamen more than 300 years ago.
West Virginia National Guardsmen have fought in every major conflict in American history and served as first responders to the Governor in state emergencies and natural disasters. Our history is rich in pride, and demonstrates a legacy of upholding and exceeding the standards and serving as an innovative and cost-effective force for the state and Nation.
This year alone, nearly 700 Soldiers and Airmen from units throughout the West Virginia Army and Air National Guard have supported operations at home and abroad, providing humanitarian support, homeland defense, and defense support to civil authorities (DSCA), while also taking part in contingency operations around the globe.