New York National Guard celebrates Army Birthday on Friday, June 12

LATHAM, NY (06/11/2015)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard members will gather for a traditional military cake-cutting ceremony at Division of Military and Naval Affairs Headquarters on Friday, June 12 to mark the 240th birthday of the United States Army.

WHO: New York National Guard members, DMNA employees and Army National Guard Command Sgt. Major Louis Wilson from Rochester, N.Y. Wilson serves as the senior enlisted advisor for the Adjutant General with nearly 40 years in the New York Army National Guard. He will represent the senior members of the NCO corps, while Private Eric Dawson, from Schenectady represents some of the National Guard's newest Soldiers.

WHAT: Commemoration of the Army's 240th Birthday. 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.

WHERE: New York National Guard Armory, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, N.Y. 12210

WHEN: Friday, June 12, 2015 at 2 p.m. The event should last approximately one-half hour.

Members of the media interested in covering this event should contact the Division of Military and Naval Affairs Public Affairs Office at 518-786-4581 for access to this secure facility.

NOTE: A retirement ceremony for New York Air National Guard Major General Verle Johnston, a Schenectady resident who commands the 5,900-member New York Air National Guard will take place at 3 p.m. Friday at Division of Military and Naval Affairs as well.

Coverage Opportunities: Media members can obtain photographs and video of the cake-cutting ceremony and interview senior National Guard leaders and participants in the ceremony.

BACKGROUND:

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 United States Army has traditionally claimed this date, on which the Continential Army was created by law, as its birthday.

The Capital Region Chapter of the Association of the United States Army will provide the cake for the event.