This week the Ohio National Guard celebrated two and a quarter centuries of service. Founded in 1778 in Marietta, the Ohio National Guard roots go back to the early colonial tradition of Citizen-Soldiers providing local protection and law enforcement.
“The Ohio National Guard has a rich history of serving the community, state and nation, since the very beginning of our country’s existence,” said Maj. Gen. Deborah A. Ashenhurst, Ohio adjutant general, “Our 15,000 Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen in today’s force are carrying on that tradition of service, based on our organization’s core values including excellence, reliability and global teamwork.”
Military representation throughout the years includes: The War of 1812, Mexican War, American Civil War, Mexican Border Crisis, World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, the peacekeeping support in Bosnia and Kosovo, and the Global War on Terrorism, including Iraq and Afghanistan.
For more Ohio National Guard history, go to Ohio National Guard website at: http://ong.ohio.gov/information/history/history_index.html.