New York Army National Guard Pvt. Justin Paradiso, from Massapequa Takes Part in Army Birthday Ceremony.

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Pvt. Justin Paradiso (left) with Gen. John Campbell (center) and Command Sgt. Major Cal Christensen during the Army's Brithday celebration in Times Square on June 14 (Staff Sgt. Luisito Brooks).

NEW YORK, NY (06/17/2013)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Pvt. Justin Paradiso, a Massapequa Park resident, joined the second-highest ranking officer in the United States Army on Friday, June 14, in recognizing the Army's 238th Birthday during a Times Square Ceremony.

Paradiso, a 19 year-old graduate of Massapequa High School, joined Gen. (four-star) John Campbell, the 34th Army Vice Chief of Staff of the Army and Command Sgt. Major Cal Christensen of the US Military Academy Band in cutting a ceremonial Birthday Cake during a Friday morning ceremony in New York City. Traditionally the oldest Soldier-Campbell-and youngest Soldier-Paradiso-join together to cut the cake when the Army Birthday is celebrated. This symbolizes the ongoing traditions of the Army as well as its future.

Paradiso, is an anti-tank missile gunner in the 1st Battalion 69th Infantry, famous as the "Fighting 69th". He enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in 2012 and is a graduate of Infantry Basic and Advanced Training and is a graduate of Army Airborne School.