West Virginia boasts the oldest river in the nation. Part of the nation’s oldest highway runs through West Virginia. And if that’s not impressive enough, here’s something else: the West Virginia Army National Guard is the oldest active National Guard unit in the whole United States!
It all started on February 17, in the year 1735.
The National Guard / Flickr
West Virginia was Virginia then, and still a colony of England at that, when Morgan Morgan was commissioned as the captain of a new group of riflemen, known as the First Virginia Regiment.
Staff Sgt. Justin Hough / Wikimedia
It just so happens that this new company was based in what is now present day Berkeley County, WEST Virginia.
The National Guard / Flickr
A few dozen years later, the First Virginia Regiment faced the Revolutionary War, and, out of all the original regiments of the American Continental Army, only this regiment, which came to be known under General George Washington as the 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery Regiment, remains active to this day.
Tech. Sgt. De-Juan Haley / Wikimedia
That’s right, this army line continued, year after year, all the way until our day, in the form of the West Virginia National Army Guard.
The National Guard / Flickr
At more than 285 years old, the West Virginia Army National Guard is officially the oldest active National Guard unit AND the longest continuously serving unit in the entire U.S. Army.
The National Guard / Flickr
It has served in every conflict that the U.S. has participated in, from the Revolutionary War onward: the Spanish-American War, the World Wars, the Korean War, the Persian Gulf War, the War on Terror.
The National Guard / Flickr
Not only does the West Virginia Army National Guard step in during times of national need, but they are ready to serve during local emergencies, too: the Farmington Mine disaster, the Buffalo Creek disaster, Hurricane Sandy, other major floods, and more.
Master Sgt. Sean Brennan / Wikimedia
Where would we be without the West Virginia National Guard? The fun fact that this unit is the oldest active National Guard unit in the whole United States is just one of the distinctions that make it, in our opinion at least, the best in the nation. Thanks, WVANG!
The National Guard / Flickr
Staff Sgt. Justin Hough / Wikimedia
Tech. Sgt. De-Juan Haley / Wikimedia
Master Sgt. Sean Brennan / Wikimedia
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Address: Army National Guard, 90 Army Band Way, Morgantown, WV 26508, USA
