New York National Guard marks Army's 248th Birthday on Wednesday afternoon, June 14

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Sgt. Major Joseph Fisher, left, joins Command Sgt. Major David Piwowarski, and Pvt. Aiden Lugo in cutting the Army Birthday Cake during the New York National Guard's 2022 Army Birthday celebration.

LATHAM, NY (06/13/2023) (readMedia)-- The New York Army National Guard-one of the three components of the Army along with the active Army and Army Reserve-- will celebrate the 248th birthday of the United States Army on Wednesday afternoon, June 14 with a traditional cake-cutting ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham.

One of the oldest Soldiers present will join a young Soldier in cutting the Army Birthday cake.

Members of the press are invited to cover the ceremony.

WHO: New York Army National Guard Col. Dennis Martinez, an Albany resident who enlisted in the Army in 1992, will be the oldest Soldiers present; Private Anthony Ardizzone, a 17-year old recruit from Clifton Park, will be the youngest Soldiers for the ceremony; New York Army National Guard Command Sgt. Major David Piwowarski will preside.

WHAT: A traditional cake-cutting ceremony commemorating June 14, 1775 which the United States Army considers its birthday. Traditionally the oldest Soldier present joins the youngest Soldier in cutting the Army Birthday cake. The older Soldier represents the history and traditions of the Army while the young Soldier represents its future. The Capital Region Chapter of the Association of the United States Army is providing the cake. The two cut the cake with a ceremonial saber.

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

WHEN: 3 p.m., Wednesday, June 14, 2023

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 Division of Military and Naval Affairs public affairs office at 786-4581.

Col. Dave Martinez

Colonel Dennis Martinez is a Brooklyn native who enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in April 1992. In 1994 he was commissioned as an intelligence officer after completing Officer Candidate School at the Empire Academy.

He has served in several military intelligence positions to include company commander of the 642nd Military Intelligence Battalion's headquarters company, and intelligence branch chief for New York National Guard operations and the intelligence plans officer.

He has also served as the deputy chief of staff for intelligence for the Troy-based 42nd Infantry Division.

He deployed to Iraq in 2004 and 2005 as a company commander in the 642nd Intelligence Battalion and deployed to Kuwait in 2020 as the intelligence officer for the 42nd Infantry Division. During that deployment the 42nd Infantry Division commanded a 10,000- Soldier Army force operating throughout the Middle East.

Martinez holds an Associates of Science Degree from LaGuardia Community College, a Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York, Albany; and a master's in strategic Intelligence from American Military University.

He is a graduate of several military intelligence schools and the Army Command and General Staff College.

His awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

In civilian life, Martinez served 27 years with the New York State Police, retiring as a senior investigator. During that time, he also served on the security detail for three New York governors.

He currently resides in Albany, NY with his wife Victoria, daughters Danielle and Dominique, sons Francesco and Dominic.

Private Anthony Ardizzone

Private Anthony Ardizzone enlisted in the New York Army National Guard shortly after he turned 17. He is a senior at Shenandoah High School and will report for basic and advanced training this sum,mer.

The Clifton Park resident enlisted to serve as an aviation operations specialist. In that role he will be responsible for scheduling and dispatching missions for Army aviation units, as well as managing flight logs and coordinating flight plans.

He is the sixth generation in his family to serve in the military.

The Army Birthday:

When the American Revolution broke out in 1775, the American colonies did not have a single Army. Each colony had its own militia but there was no overall commander.

By June of 1775 an "army" composed of New England militia troops had a British force trapped inside Boston. But the force was poorly organized.

Recognizing the need to enlist the support of all the American colonies, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress asked the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia to assume authority for the New England army. Reportedly, at John Adams' request, Congress voted to "adopt" the Boston troops on June 14, although there is no written record of this decision.

On the same day, Congress resolved to form a committee "to bring in a draft of rules and regulations for the government of the Army," and voted $2,000,000 to support the forces around Boston, and those at New York City.

Moreover, Congress authorized the formation of ten companies of expert riflemen from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, which were directed to march to Boston to support the New England militia.

George Washington received his appointment as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army the next day, and formally took command at Boston on July 3, 1775.