Photo By Edwin Wriston | West Virginia National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Phillip R. Cantrell looks on as Spc....... read more read more
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The West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) celebrated the 383rd birthday of the National Guard today at Joint Forces Headquarters in Charleston.
More than 120 members of the Guard and special guests attended a ceremony marking the birthday, which included presentations on the history of the National Guard, remarks from state representatives, and a ceremonial cake cutting.
Approximately 434,000 men and women currently serve as Soldiers and Airmen in National Guard organizations throughout the United States and its territories. Each state has its own Guard, as required by the United States Constitution. Every day, Guard units complete such advanced and varied assignments as engineering construction, aviation missions, critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, and disaster relief efforts.
The WVNG traces its heritage to the 1735 militia company established in Berkeley County by Morgan Morgan. 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 Guardmembers have fought in every major conflict in American history and served as first responders to the governor in state emergencies and natural disasters while serving as an innovative and cost-effective force for the state and Nation. In 2019 alone, the WVNG deployed more than 1,500 Soldiers and Airmen around the globe for contingency operations and provided response for state emergencies to include flooding and hurricane relief efforts.
“Each year we take time to acknowledge and reflect upon the history and legacy of those brave men and women who have come before us that have secured and defended our nation through our darkest and most challenging times,” stated U.S. Army Col. William “Bill” Crane, United States Property and Fiscal Office (USPFO) and guest speaker for the event. “The National Guard has a proud heritage of service that every member of the WVNG honors each and every day through their dedicated efforts and sacrifices on behalf of our state and the nation.”
Actively comprised of more than 4,100 Soldiers and 2,100 Airmen, the WVNG leverages its capability and ingenuity through a network of government and civilian assets to develop and execute joint, interagency, national security, homeland security and emergency response capabilities to serve the state and nation, as well as deliver capable and ready warfighting assets. Combined, these efforts provide more than $378 million dollars in direct economic impact across the state.
| Date Taken: | 12.13.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 12.13.2019 16:31 |
| Story ID: | 355675 |
| Location: | CHARLESTON, WV, US |
| Web Views: | 27 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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