SALEM, Mass., - Massachusetts Army National Guardsmen, along with several veteran’s organizations and living history groups, gathered to commemorate the formation of the American militia during the annual First Muster here on the Salem Common April 10.
The country's first militia mustered on Salem Common in 1637, which began the foundation for what would become the National Guard.
On Dec. 13, 1636, the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony ordered the organization of the colony’s militia companies into three regiments: North, South and East.
The colonists had adopted the English militia system, which obligated males between the ages of 16 and 60 to possess arms and participate in the defense of their community.
The April 10 events 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 then 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,” he said. “It is a privilege for the 182nd Cavalry Regiment to represent the lineage and heritage of the Massachusetts National Guard Regiments at this ceremony.”
The 101st Field Artillery Regiment and the 101st Engineer Battalion, the modern descendents of our nation’s first regiments are currently both deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. The 182nd Cavalry and 181st Infantry are both 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 the 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.
Salem Mayor Kimberly Driscoll was the first speaker. “I want to thank all service members and their families for their dedication and commitment, which allows us to be here today and to enjoy events like this one and more in the future,” she said.
During Carter’s remarks, he thanked the residents of the historic city of Salem for their continued support.
“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,” he said. “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.”
“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.”