Ceremony celebrates Virginia National Guard’s 414th birthday - May 14, 2021

The Virginia National Guard celebrates its 414th birthday May 14, 2021, at the Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Command Chief Master Sgt. Kelly Reich, Virginia Air National Guard Command Chief, and Sgt. Korion Hunt, a Virginia Army National recruiter assigned to Newport News, cut the cake flanked by Acting Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs Kathleen Jabs and Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia.

Jabs presented the Governor of Virginia's 414th Birthday of the Virginia National Guard Proclamation as part of the ceremony.

The VNG traces the heritage and traditions of Citizen-Soldier service to the 1607 founding of America’s first permanent English colony at Jamestown when Capt. John Smith organized the colonists for defense. There has not been a day since May 14, 1607, without a military presence in Virginia to defend freedom at home and overseas.

Read more about the Virginia National Guard’s historical connection to Jamestown at go.usa.gov/xH7YY.

Watch the livestream on Facebook at fb.watch/5utDTx7btl/.

Read the Governor of Virginia's 414th Birthday of the Virginia National Guard Proclamation at go.usa.gov/xH6nM.

Earlier in the day, Williams and Reich, along with retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Al Barnes, Virginia National Guard command historian, discussed their service and VNG history during a “Salute to Service: National Guard” livestream hosted by the Virginia War Memorial. Watch the livestream at vimeo.com/549344724.