Virginia Guard celebrates 236th Army Birthday -- June 18, 2011

Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers celebrate the 236th Army Birthday at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond June 18 during the Association of the United States Army sponsored Flag Day and Army Birthday Celebration. Soldiers from Battery A, 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment fired a howitzer to mark the beginning and the end of the ceremony and the Adjutant General of Virginia, Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., gave the opening remarks. Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Smith of the Virginia Beach-based 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion cut the Army birthday cake while Virginia National Guard recruiters manned a display outside the memorial.

The event also included a swearing in ceremony for new Soldiers, exhibits on the grounds, military vehicle displays and information tables in the Galanti Center featuring authors and lecturers and movies.