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Two hundred and fifty years after the Continental Army was established to defend the Homeland, enabling the birth of the United States of America, past and present Soldiers of the U.S. Army have continuously built on the legacy of their predecessors.
For Soldiers with the North Carolina National Guard, the 250th birthday anniversary of the U.S. Army offered an avenue to reflect on its illustrious heritage as they commemorated the milestone at the Joint Force Headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Friday, June 13, 2025.
Spurred by the spirit of the Army slogan “This We’ll Defend”, for over two centuries, American Soldiers have defied odds at home and abroad, defending the Homeland against internal and external foes.
Part of that rich history are minutemen and citizen Soldiers from North Carolina who sacrificed their lives to earn the freedom enjoyed by Americans today.
Presently, the North Carolina National Guard has carried the baton of service from the minutemen, serving as citizen Soldiers committed to advancing the legacy of their valiant predecessors. Speaking on the interwoven legacy of the U.S. Army and the NCNG, Sgt. Maj. Michael Shipley, G4 Sergeant Major and Command Sergeant Major of the 236 Brigade Engineering Battalion, stated that NCNG personnel have embodied readiness for service.
“Since June 14, 1775, the Army has defended this nation in every corner of the globe. But its foundation, its heart, has always been built at home. Here in North Carolina, that legacy runs deep. From the first colonial militias in the Carolinas to the Minutemen who answered the call at Lexington and Concord, and onward through every major conflict in our nation’s history, North Carolinians have stood ready to serve,” said Shipley.
“Our National Guard embodies that tradition: citizen-Soldiers who answer both the federal and state call—whether deploying overseas, responding to hurricanes, or standing beside our communities during times of crisis. This dual mission isn’t just part of our identity, it has become our advantage.”
While the combat strides of the U.S. Army are often visible, working behind the scenes to ensure their efficiency is the Warrant Officer Corps. The Warrant Officers are regarded as the technical backbone of the U.S Army as they offer specialized expertise and vital advisory to various Army units.
Highlighting the important contributions of Warrant Officers to the Army’s legacy, U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Sofia Phillips, Government Affairs Officer, said, "Being a Warrant Officer is impactful because we get to shape the trajectory of our organizations, quietly, through technical mastery and sound advice.”
She expressed the Corps’ resolution to evolve with modern technology and adapt to the resulting challenges to offer ingenious services to ensure the combat readiness of the U.S. Army personnel.
"Our Corps is evolving, the Army is evolving - transformations, new tech, new robotics technicians, new problems, and some leftover problems. But we keep doing what we do best, quietly solving the impossible with ingenuity and a backup plan," said Philips.
As the ceremony drew to a close, a clear message resonated with the Soldiers in attendance: they were not just celebrating the past, but actively shaping the Army's next 250 years.
This perspective was central to the powerful address delivered by U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Wes Morrison, Assistant Adjutant General-Maneuver.
He called upon NCNG’s personnel to draw inspiration from the selfless heroism of Soldiers throughout history who demonstrated unwavering dedication to the nation.
“This We’ll Defend are words with meaning. It means, first and foremost, we will defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic. It means we will defend the lives, property, and rights as defined by the Bill of Rights of our fellow citizens, even at the expense of our own,” said Morrison.
“And finally, it means we will defend the honor and legacy of the United States Army, built by leaders like CPT Parker, LT Smith, CPT Cash, and countless others. We are now the caretakers of our Army and our Republic. As we celebrate 250 years, we must all remember we are the caretakers who will ensure our Republic and Army carry on for another 250 years.”
(Story by Mr. Paul Agada)
| Date Taken: | 06.07.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.25.2025 14:58 |
| Story ID: | 501473 |
| Location: | RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 14 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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