Photo By William Albrecht | New York Army National Guard Soldiers mark the Army’s 248th Birthday with a...... read more read more
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LATHAM, N.Y. -- A colonel with 31 years of service and a 17-year-old recruit heading to basic training, cut into a birthday cake on Wednesday, June 14 as the New York National Guard recognized the United States Army’s 248th anniversary with a ceremony at the Division of Military and Naval Affairs headquarters in Latham.
Army National Guard Col. Dennis Martinez, an intelligence officer, Iraq War veteran, and Albany resident, represented the history and traditions of the Army as he helped cut the cake with a ceremonial saber.
Private Anthony Ardizzone, who lives in Clifton Park and is graduating from Shenandoah High School, represented the Army’s future during the ceremony.
They were joined by New York Army National Guard Command Sgt. Major David Piwowarski, who is himself retiring from the military in July after 42 years of service in the Army and Army National Guard.
The U.S. Army, which includes the Army National Guard, traces its history back to June 14, 1775.
On that date the Second Continental Congress voted to take responsibility for the New England militia troops which had chased the British Army back to Boston after the battles of Lexington and Concord and were besieging the city. The congressmen also voted to draft rules and regulations for the Army and authorized the formation of ten companies of riflemen to march to Boston.
The Army recognizes that event today with formations in which the oldest and youngest Soldiers come together to recognize the Army’s history and its future.
Piwowarski, a Ballston Spa resident who served as the presiding officer for the ceremony, used his remarks to praise the role of the Army’s non-commissioned officers over the years.
The Army’s sergeants played a key role during the Revolutionary War in training Soldiers to stand up to the British Redcoats, he said.
“It was NCOs who kept our lines steady and enforced discipline during combat,” he said.
Throughout the Army’s history, sergeants have taken on more leadership duties and have never failed, he said.
“They are a walking example of a professional Army built on dedication, patriotism and sacrifice,” Piwowarski said.
In his remarks, the event narrator, Col. Richard Goldenberg, pointed out that 2023 also marks the 50th anniversary of the decision to make the Army an all-volunteer force.
Martinez said he was honored to play a role in the ceremony.
“I value the United States Army and its rich history and traditions, and I am proud to be a representative of that history and tradition,” he said.
“This organization provided me an opportunity to serve New York and our great nation.”
The most important thing to him during his Army career has been entrusted with the health, morale, discipline and welfare of Soldiers, Martinez said.
Ardizzone said it was exciting to be part of the ceremony and to represent the future of the Army.
He enlisted in July of 2022 right after his 17th birthday because he wanted to continue his family tradition of military service.
“I wanted to make my grandfather proud, “he said.
Joining the Army National Guard means he can serve and still pursue a civilian career he said.
Ardizzone is set to train to be an aviation operations specialist, scheduling, and dispatching missions for Army aviation units, as well as coordinating flight plans.
Martinez, who served as an enlisted Soldier for two years before becoming an officer, has served in a number of military intelligence jobs, ranging from company commander to division intelligence officer.
He deployed to Iraq in 2004-2005 and to Kuwait in 2020.
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.
| Date Taken: | 06.14.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 06.14.2023 15:37 |
| Story ID: | 447154 |
| Location: | LATHAM , NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 85 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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