NewYork National Guard marks 381st National Guard Birthday with cake cutting ceremony today

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Major Gen. Raymond shields is joined by oldest and youngest members of the New York National Guuard during the National Guard birthday event on Dec. 13, 2016.

LATHAM, NY (12/13/2017) (readMedia)-- The New York National Guard will celebrate the 381st birthday of the National Guard with a traditional military cake cutting ceremony at New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs headquarters on Wednesday, Dec. 13.

The oldest and youngest Guard members present will cut the cake. Members of the press are invited to attend.

WHO: Major Gen. Raymond Shields, the commander of the New York Army National Guard will preside over the cake-cutting ceremony. New York Air National Guard Chief Master Sergeant Michael Blake, a 58-year old Ballston Spa resident who has served in the military since 1977, will be the oldest cake cutter. New York Army National Guard Specialist Jade Richards, age 19 and a Watervliet resident who enlisted in 2015 will be the youngest cake cutter.

WHAT: Commemoration of the National Guard's 381st Birthday. The National Guard is the oldest armed service in the United States, predating the American Revolution, and traces its lineage back to the legislation organizing the Massachusetts Bay Colony militia which was approved on Dec. 13, 1636.

WHERE: New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs Headquarters, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, N.Y. 12210.

WHEN: 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017.

Members of the media interested in covering this event should contact the Division of Military and Naval Affairs Public Affairs Office at 518-786-4581 for access to this secure facility.