Hassan Celebrates Guard's 377th Birthday

To celebrate the New Hampshire National Guard’s 377th birthday and to honor its tradition of excellent service to the people of New Hampshire and the United States of America, Governor Maggie Hassan proclaimed today as New Hampshire National Guard Day during a ceremony at the State House.

“The New Hampshire National Guard has a storied history of unparalleled success and a rich tradition of service to the people of New Hampshire and our country,” Governor Hassan said. “Because of the brave service members of the New Hampshire National Guard, our country is safer and our freedom is stronger. I am proud to proclaim today as New Hampshire National Guard Day and honored to celebrate the Guard’s 377th birthday. On behalf of all of the people ofNew Hampshire, we are grateful to all of the men and women who have sacrificed in service to their fellow citizens as members of the New Hampshire National Guard.” 

The New Hampshire National Guard traces its origins back to 1623 and the militias that guarded the settlements near the mouth of the Piscataqua River in Portsmouth. From the King Phillips War in 1675 to the current war in Afghanistan, members of the New Hampshire National Guard have served in every major American conflict.

Since September 11, 2001, more than 2,000 New Hampshire guardsmen and women have deployed overseas in support of combat and peacekeeping missions under Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. Domestically, the Guard aids the victims of flood and ice storms and rescues lost hikers in the White Mountains. To learn more about the history of he New Hampshire National Guard, visit nh.ngb.army.mil/.