LATHAM-- The National Guard of the United States turns 375 Years old today,Dec. 13. On this day in 1636 the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony passed a law establishing formal militia companies in the colony. These companies were made up of all adult males older than 16 and were expected to meet and train in military skills regularly.In New York, the first citizen-soldiers were members of the Burgher Guard, organized by the Dutch East Indian Company in 1640 to help protect New Amsterdam from their English neighbors in Massachusetts and Virginia or from hostile natives.
Citizen soldiers of the militia and National Guard have fought in all of America’s wars from King Philips War against Native Americans in the New England Colonies in 1675 to the struggle in Afghanistan today.
DMNA Press Releases
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Olean Times Herald -- Thu, 08 Jan 2026 NY Air Guard honors Millard Filmore in wreath-laying ceremony BUFFALO The New York Air National Guards 107th Attack Wing honored Millard Fillmore, the nations 13th president, on Wednesday as the wings Mission Support Group deputy commander laid a wreath... (more)
Olean Times Herald -- Wed, 07 Jan 2026 New York Guard gave honors at more than 6,000 funerals in 2025 The New York National Guard said its soldiers and airmen provided military funeral honors at 6,166 graveside services in 2025. According to a news release from the guard, the 69 soldiers... (more)
Stars and Stripes -- Wed, 07 Jan 2026 Air National Guard collects climate data, fuels research station in Antarctica The New York Air National Guard is using ski-equipped versions of Lockheed Martins long-serving cargo plane to collect scientific data on flights to and from Antarctica, according to the commander... (more)