Arkansas National Guard celebrates the 382nd birthday of the National Guard, National Guard celebrates 382 years
PA-001-20 | Dec. 13, 2018
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MEDIA ADVISORY
December 13, 2018
Contact: Maj. W. B. Phillips, II
State Public Affairs Officer
Arkansas National Guard
501-212-5020 / 501-590-0318
ng.ar.ararng.mbx.daily-guard@mail.mil
Arkansas National Guard celebrates the 382nd birthday of the National Guard
~National Guard celebrates 382 years
WHO: Soldiers of the Arkansas National Guard
WHAT: Celebrate the 382nd birthday of the National Guard
WHEN: At 12 p.m. on Thursday, December 13, 2018
WHERE: The ceremony was held at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) at Camp Robinson Maneuver Training Center, in North Little Rock.
WHY: While much of the nation is embracing the holidays, [your state National Guard] will spend Dec. 13 celebrating the National Guard’s 382nd birthday.
The celebration recognizes the date the Massachusetts Bay Colony’s General Court established the North, South and East Regiments. These units would serve as a colonial militia, the predecessor to today’s National Guard. Organized by their local government, these first Citizen-Soldiers were charged with protecting their communities.
Today’s National Guard, comprised of more than 450,000 men and women in the 50 states, 3 territories (Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) and District of Columbia, continues to protect the homeland. They also provide the Army and the Air Force a proven and lethal combat force.
Air Force Maj. Gen. Winston Wilson’s observation about the National Guard more than 50 years ago still rings true today.
“Civilian in peace, soldier in war,” the former Chief of the National Guard Bureau stated, “the Guardsman typifies the willingness of free men to stand ready for civil emergencies and spring to the nation’s defense whenever a crisis arrives.”
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