National Guard celebrates birthday

By Ms. Joan B Vasey (Huachuca)December 18, 2015

usa image
From left, Pvt. Christina Oliver, the youngest Soldier who attended the 379th National Guard birthday celebration in Weinstein Village Dec. 11, cuts the birthday cake with Lt. Col. Erik Froehlich, assistant chief of staff, Army National Guard, U.S. A... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Fort Huachuca, Arizona -- More than 200 National Guard cadre and students on Fort Huachuca celebrated the organization's 379th birthday in a classroom in the 305th Military Intelligence Battalion Headquarters building Dec. 11.

Following an invocation, the narrator briefly traced the Guard's history, citing each battle in which the Guard participated since its inception.

After each citation, a different Soldier said, "I was there."

"Our heritage dates back to the 13 original colonies in North America," said Lt. Col. Erik Froehlich, assistant chief of staff, Army National Guard, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence. "The oldest of our units organized on December 13, 1636. That makes the guard the oldest component in the Armed Forces of the United States and one of the oldest military organizations in the world," Froehlich said.

Following the colonel's presentation, the oldest and youngest National Guard Soldiers present at the ceremony joined Froehlich in cutting a birthday cake which was then shared by the audience. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Corby Campbell, the oldest Soldier present, and Pvt. Christina Oliver, the youngest Soldier who attended, shared the honor.

The National Guard continues its historic dual mission of providing trained units to the states, territories and the District of Columbia and keeping itself equipped to protect life and property. The Guard also provides trained units to the nation equipped and ready to defend the United States and its interests all over the globe, according to information posted on the Guard website, http://www.nationalguard.mil/AbouttheGuard.aspx.