Subscribe
LATHAM, NY -- New York Army National Guard Pfc. Joshua Loiselle, a Watervliet resident, joins Major General Joseph Taluto, the Adjutant General of New York, in cutting the National Guard birthday cake, Monday, Dec. 14, at New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs.
At 19, Loiselle, was the youngest Soldier present during the ceremony marking the 373rd birthday of the National Guard, while Taluto, at 62, was the oldest. Traditionally the youngest and oldest Soldier present join in cutting the cake. The two Soldiers symbolize the past and the future of the National Guard.
Loiselle is a member of the 42nd Special Troops Battalion, based at the Glenmore Road Armory in Troy, while Taluto, of Fort Ann, serves as commander of the 16,500 members of the New York Army and Air National Guard.
The National Guard claims Dec. 13, 1636 as its birthday. On that date in 1636 the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Coloney passed a bill regulating the colonial militia and assigning the local volunteers to three regiments.
Today the National Guard continues that Citizen Soldier tradition by serving community and state in times of natural disaster and as a homeland defense force, and serving as part of the Army and Air Force in combat zones overseas.
During the ceremony, Taluto pointed out that dispite being at war the New York National Guard is meeting its recruiting goals. Young people are stepping up to serve, even though they know they will be deployed in combat, Taluto said.
The National Guard, which serves both state and nation, is "the most unique force on the face of the planet," Taluto said.
| Date Taken: | 12.14.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 12.14.2009 15:10 |
| Story ID: | 42749 |
| Location: | LATHAM, US |
| Web Views: | 340 |
| Downloads: | 159 |
This work, Oldest Soldier and Youngest Soldier Team Up to Cut Birthday Cake, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
