LATHAM, N.Y.- New York Army National Guard Col. Joan Sullivan, a doctor from Ithaca, took part in the New York Army National Guard's annual Army Birthday celebration held on Friday, June 13, at Division of Military and Naval Affairs headquarters here.
Sullivan, age 65, joined in the traditional Army birthday cake cutting ceremony as the oldest Soldier present. Sullivan, who will retire in August after 37 years of service, served in Iraq with the National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division and in Afghanistan with the National Guard's 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
She currently serves as the New York Army National Guard's Surgeon General, the 10,500-member force's top medical officer.
During Army Birthday events the oldest Soldier present-representing the Army's history - joins the youngest Soldier present - who represents the Army's future - in cutting the cake.
The youngest Soldier present for the June 13 event was Army National Guard Pfc. Class Jack Jeffers, age 19, from Clifton Park.
Jeffers, who joined the Army National Guard in September 2012, serves with Detachment 2, Company A, 1st Battalion, 642nd Aviation Support and Services Battalion in Latham.
Sullivan and Jeffers were joined in cutting the cake by Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Raymond Shields, the director of Joint Staff for the New York National Guard and the presiding officer at the Friday afternoon event.
June 14, 2014, is the 239th birthday of the United States Army. On June 14, 1775 the Second Continental Congress voted to adopt the New England militia troops besieging Boston as the Army of the 13 United Colonies.
The Capital Region Chapter of the Association of the United States Army provided the cake for the event.
Related Links:
New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs
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