Rainbow Division Celebrates Birthday of the National Guard

NY National Guard Soldiers Recall their Heritage and History of Service

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Brig. Gen. Steven Wickstrom and Pvt. 1st Class Kevin Adams cut a celebratory birthday cake for the National Guard. Photo by Sgt. John Smith, 42nd Infantry Division.

TROY, NY (12/11/2010)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Steven Wickstrom, left and Pvt. 1st Class Kevin Adams mark the Dec. 13, 1636 birthday of the National Guard with a ceremonial cake in front of Soldiers of the 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters here during a unit drill Dec. 11.

The two Soldiers represent the most senior and most junior representatives of the command to honor the anniversary of the National Guard's creation.

"I am the Guard," read 42nd Infantry Division Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Jenks to the assembled Soldiers. "For three centuries the custodian of security and honor, now and forever ... I am the Guard."

The National Guard celebrates 374 years of service to state and nation on Monday, Dec. 13.