SALEM, Mass. – Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signs legislation designating the City of Salem as the birthplace of the National Guard as local and state legislature, veterans groups and members of the Massachusetts National Guard look on during an official ceremony held at the Salem city hall, Aug. 19, 2010. The origins of the National Guard are traced back to Salem Common, the location of the fist muster of militiamen in 1637. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Don Veitch, Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs)

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Don Veitch, Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs

SALEM, Mass. – Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signed legislation designating the city of Salem as the birthplace of the National Guard during a ceremony held in city hall here, Aug. 19, 2010.

The governor was joined at the ceremony hosted by Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll by numerous state and local officials, veterans groups and members of the Massachusetts National Guard.

“For a community that has so much history, we didn’t think it was possible to add to it,“ said Driscoll. “But certainly it was, by having Salem recognized as the birthplace of the National Guard.”

Driscoll said having the city officially acknowledged as the birthplace of the National Guard is very special, particularly now when the Guard is playing such a large role in defending our country. (continue reading…)

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A rifleman with Company B, 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, lays down suppressive fire to cover the movements of his fire team during individual movement techniques course during an eXportable Combat Training Capability exercise at Camp Edwards, June 11, 2010

Here is a photo I took while on Annual Training with the 65th Press Camp Headquarters.

I was able to catch the muzzle flash while the soldier was running through a training lane with his unit.

The shot was one of 20 on continuous shutter to capture the the split second timing required to record the flash.

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Brig. Gen. Sellars introduces Sheriff Cummings to the troops

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CAMP EDWARDS, Mass. – Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Sellars, commander of the Massachusetts Army National Guard and Barnstable County Sheriff James M. Cummings address members of the 972nd Military Police Company prior to the formal ceremony in which the Soldiers were Deputized June 8, 2010. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Don Veitch, 65th Press Camp Headquarters)

By Army Sgt. 1^st Class Don Veitch, 65^th Press Camp Headquarters

CAMP EDWARDS, Mass. — More than 60 military police from the Massachusetts National Guard were deputized in an official swearing-in ceremony conducted at the Joint Visitors Information Bureau here, June 8, 2010.

The Soldiers from the 972nd Military Police Company, based out of Reading, are conducting law enforcement operations here in support of the eXportable Combat Training Capability, or XCTC, exercise and were sworn in by Barnstable County Sheriff James M. Cummings.

(continue reading…)

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