Summer 2010 - STATES - The National Guard

The day began with a wreath-laying ceremony
at St. Peter’s Church in Salem at the gravesite of
Capt. Stephen Abbott. In 1785, Abbott founded
the 2nd Corps of Cadets and served as its
first commander. The lineage of the 2nd Corps
is now proudly carried by Battery A, 1st
Battalion, 101st Field Artillery Regiment of the
Massachusetts Army National Guard.
The next event took place at Armory Park on
Essex Street to honor the sacrifices of Citizen-
Soldiers from Massachusetts. Soldiers of the
101st Field Artillery Rear Detachment Salute
Battery and the 182nd Cavalry Regiment, along
with period military re-enactors and citizens,
assembled to pay tribute.
Lt. Col. Arthur Elbthal, commander of the 1st
Squadron, 182nd Cavalry Regiment, addressed
the audience and laid a wreath in remembrance
of the sacrifices the Citizen-Soldiers made during
the American Revolution, Operation Enduring
Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“The 101st Field Artillery is forward deployed to
Afghanistan and the regimental colors are with
them. It is a privilege for the 182nd Cavalry
Regiment to represent the lineage and heritage
of the Massachusetts National Guard Regiments
at this ceremony,” said Elbthal.
The 101st Field Artillery Regiment and the 101st
Engineer Battalion, the modern descendents of
our nation’s first regiments are currently
deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. The 182nd
Cavalry and 181st Infantry are preparing to
deploy to Afghanistan later this year.
The final part of the celebration took place on
Salem Common, with Massachusetts National
Guard Regiments and Soldiers joined by military
re-enactors from the First Regiment in 1636 to
World War II. The 101st Field Artillery Salute
Battery fired a 13-gun salute to honor past and
present troops.
Maj. Gen. Joseph C. Carter, The Adjutant
General of the Massachusetts National Guard,
performed the ceremonial inspection of the
troops, circling the formation on the field.
Dignitaries included Mayor Kimberly Driscoll,
City of Salem; U.S. Rep. John Tierney, Sixth
Congressional District of Massachusetts; State
Rep. John Keenan, Seventh Essex District of
Massachusetts; Maj. Gen. Joseph C. Carter, The
Adjutant General, Massachusetts National Guard;
Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Sellars, Commander,
Massachusetts Army National Guard; Brig. Gen.
(Ret.) Gary Pappas; Col. John Hammond, Chief
of Staff, Massachusetts National Guard; and
State Command Sergeant Maj. David Costa,
Massachusetts National Guard.
Driscoll was the first speaker and honored all
military members for their sacrifices. “I want to
thank all service members and their families for
their dedication and commitment which allows
Lt. Col. Arthur Elbthal (right) and Mr. Jay Finney (left), Deputy Director of the Peabody Museum, laid a wreath
at the memorial in Armory Park, Salem, Mass. in remembrance of those Soldiers from the Essex Regiment,
who were killed and injured during the American Revolution, Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Steve Tedeschi).
us to be here today and to enjoy events like this
one and more in the future,” she said.
During Carter’s remarks, he mentioned it was an
honor and privilege to be present and share this
event with residents of the historic City of Salem.
“By honoring those first Citizen-Soldiers, we
honor the present day National Guard and the
United States Army, which traces its origin
directly to this town common on that spring day
so many years ago. It was here, on the historic
grounds of the Salem Common in the spring of
1637 that the residents of this vibrant port city
saw the First Muster of the East Regiment,”
said Carter.
“I have no doubt that when this war is over –
and it will end – when our families are safe, our
homes secure and our nation at peace, historians
will record and our descendants will learn that
in the most difficult days of the 21st century, the
Massachusetts National Guard answered the
call to defend our democracy,” he said.
Prior to the end of the ceremony, Carter
presented Driscoll with the Commanders Award
for Public Service for her tireless efforts as
mayor of the City of Salem.
The ceremony and events concluded with a
Pass in Review, wherein each unit marched
across the common for the commander. ✯
Massachusetts National Guardsman Maj. David Hencke, Commander of Troops for the 2010 First Muster on
Salem Common, points out to military and re-enactment commanders where military units will form for the
event on the common (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Steve Tedeschi).
The Nation’s First 15