Today is the Army National Guard's 373rd birthday this year. On Dec. 13, 1636, the Massachusetts Bay Colony divided its citizen-soldiers, or militia, into the North, South and East Regiments. The Massachusetts Bay Colony was seven years old in 1636. The colonists needed a military force for protection, but they had no money to hire a mercenary army, which was common practice in Europe at the time. So, they turned to the English tradition of the militia - citizen-soldiers who gathered for military training and who could fight when needed.
In Massachusetts, all able-bodied men between the ages of 16 and 60, except ministers and judges, were required to join the militia.
Today, the military lineage of these 1636 regiments is carried by the 101st Engineer Battalion, the 101st Field Artillery, the 181st Infantry, and the 182nd Cavalry, which are all still part of the Massachusetts Army National Guard. The 101st Engineer Battalion of the Massachusetts Nation Guard is currently serving with me in Baghdad. This morning, during a 3.73 mile birthday run, I saw their units colors (flag) and battle streamers, which include a streamer for participation in the skirmish at Lexington & Concord- the first of the revolution.
Not many military organizations can claim 373 years of unbroken history. Only the Vatican's Swiss Guard (1512), London's oldest unit and also citizen soldiers the Honorable Artillery Company (1537), and Britain's Royal Scot Regiment (1633) predate the United States National Guard. Amazing, considering how much older these countries are.
--KYLE
No comments:
Post a Comment