Va. National Guard recognizes National Guard birthday

Virginia National Guard senior leaders and one of the most junior Soldiers use World War II era M1 bayonets to cut a ceremonial cake to recognize the birthday of the National Guard Dec. 14, 2016, in Sandston, Virginia. The National Guard recognizes Dec. 13 as its birthday because on that date in 1636, the first militia regiments in North America were organized in Massachusetts. Read more at go.usa.gov/x8dFc.

The Virginia National Guard traces the heritage and traditions of Citizen-Soldier and Citizen-Airmen service to the founding of Jamestown more than 400 years ago when Capt. John Smith organized a militia to defend the colony. Since the colony’s founding May 14, 1607, there has not been a day since without a military presence in Virginia to defend freedom at home and overseas. Read more at go.usa.gov/x8dFx.