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    New York Army National Guard marks Army's birthday with cake cutting on June 14

    LATHAM, NY, UNITED STATES

    06.13.2013

    Courtesy Story

    New York National Guard

    LATHAM, N.Y. - The New York Army National Guard will mark the 238th birthday of the United States Army on Friday, June 14 at the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs Headquarters with a traditional cake-cutting ceremony.

    WHO: Members of the New York Army National Guard assigned to Joint Force Headquarters, New York National Guard.

    WHAT: A traditional cake-cutting ceremony commemorating June 14, 1775 which the United States Army considers its birthday. On that date the Continental Congress voted to adopt the New England colonial militia troops assembled outside of Boston to confront British troops there. This is considered the creation of the Continental Army. The oldest soldier present will join the youngest soldier present to cut the Army birthday cake. The Capital Region Chapter of the Association of the United States Army is providing the cake.

    WHERE: Division of Military and Naval Affairs Headquarters, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham N.Y., 12110

    WHEN: 11 a.m., Friday, June 14, 2013.
    C
    overage opportunities:

    Reporters can interview New York Army National Guard senior Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and soldiers and obtain imagery of the cake cutting ceremony.

    For access to this secure military facility, please contact the public affairs office at 786-4581 before arriving at the armory.
    Background:

    The Army's Birthday:

    When the American Revolution broke out, the rebellious colonies did not possess an army in the modern sense. The revolutionaries fielded an amateur force of colonial troops, cobbled together from various New England militia companies. They had no unified chain of command, and although Artemas Ward of Massachusetts exercised authority by informal agreement, officers from other colonies were not obligated to obey his orders. The American volunteers were led, equipped, armed, paid for, and supported by the colonies from which they were raised.

    In the spring of 1775, this "army" was about to confront British troops near Boston, Massachusetts. The revolutionaries had to re-organize their forces quickly if they were to stand a chance against Britain's seasoned professionals. Recognizing the need to enlist the support of all of the American seaboard colonies, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress appealed to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia to assume authority for the New England army. Reportedly, at John Adams' request, Congress voted to "adopt" the Boston troops on June 14, although there is no written record of this decision.

    Also on this day, Congress resolved to form a committee "to bring in a draft of rules and regulations for the government of the Army," and voted $2,000,000 to support the forces around Boston, and those at New York City. Moreover, Congress authorized the formation of ten companies of expert riflemen from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, which were directed to march to Boston to support the New England militia.

    George Washington received his appointment as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army the next day, and formally took command at Boston on July 3, 1775.

    Cake Cutters:

    Private Sarah Ronsani, a member of the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade will represent the youngest Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard; the future of our force. Ronsani, who joined the Army National Guard in August 2012, recently graduated and returned from military training on June 5. Ronsani is from Hudson, N.Y.

    Col. Richard Pinsker, of East Williston, N.Y., will represent the present and past of the Army. Pinsker is a 67-year old physician assigned to the New York National Guard Medical Command and has served in uniform since March 2005. Pinsker, an endocrinologist, deployed to Iraq as a field surgeon and served as the theater consultant in Endocrinology.

    Joining the two for the military celebration is 1st Sgt. Paul Bialobok, a career NCO who shares his birthday with the Army. Bialobok, from Webster, N.Y., has served for 19 years and is the senior NCO for Company C, 27th Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Buffalo, N.Y., He recently redeployed from duties overseas.

    Bialobok will join about a dozen New York Army National Guard Soldiers and lead them in a reenlistment ceremony, extending their service to our state and nation of Flag Day.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 06.13.2013
    Date Posted: 06.13.2013 13:11
    Story ID: 108606
    Location: LATHAM, NY, US
    Hometown: EAST WILSON, NY, US
    Hometown: HUDSON, NY, US

    Web Views: 149
    Downloads: 0

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