By Donna Reuss

Alexandria, VA – December 13, 1636, is recognized as the birthdate of the US Army National Guard. On that date, the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony ordered organization of three permanent regiments from the colony’s separate militias. All males between the ages of 16 and 60 were required to join one of the regiments, and assemble and train in military tactics for the common defense of the community and colony. Descendants of these regiments are today’s 181st and 182nd Infantry, 101st Field Artillery, and 101st Engineer Battalion, Massachusetts Army National Guard.

If you are familiar with our country’s early history, or you watched the Ken Burns documentary, The American Revolution , you know that the original 13 British colonies defended their territories

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