New York National Guard celebrates Army Birthday today, Wednesday, June 14

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Chief Warrant Officer Robert Wold, a 42 year veteran of the Army, joins two new National Guard Soldiers in cutting the Army Birthday Cake during a 2016 Army Birthday ceremony.

LATHAM, NY (06/14/2017) (readMedia)-- The New York Army National Guard marks the 242nd birthday of the United States Army this afternoon at the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs Headquarters with a traditional cake-cutting ceremony. One of the oldest Soldiers present will join the youngest Soldier in cutting the Army Birthday cake.

WHO: New York Army National Guard Col. James Freehart, a Troy resident, who has 36 years of military service and PFC Jade Richards, age 18, a Watervliet resident who has served for two years and Brig. Gen. Raymond Shields, commander of the New York Army National Guard.

WHAT: A traditional cake-cutting ceremony commemorating June 14, 1775 which the United States Army considers its birthday. On that date the Continental Congress voted to adopt the New England colonial militia troops assembled outside of Boston to confront British troops there. This is considered the creation of the Continental Army. Freehart will join Richards and Shields to cut the Army birthday cake. The Capital Region Chapter of the Association of the United States Army is providing the cake.

At this ceremony the new colors -- or flag-- of the New York Army National Guard's Joint Force Headquarters - New York contingent will also be uncased for the first time.

WHERE: New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs Headquarters, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham N.Y., 12110

WHEN: 2 p.m., Wednesday, June 14, 2017.

Coverage opportunities:

Reporters can interview New York Army National Guard Officers and Soldiers and obtain imagery of the cake cutting ceremony.

For access to this secure military facility, please contact the public affairs office at 786-4581.