Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company

06/09/2026

Tonight was the first meeting of the command year for our 318th Captain Commanding, John S Damiano

During the meeting Brigadier General Joseph Milano presented Captain Commanding Damiano a check for $75,000 on behalf of the 1638 Charitable Trust.

06/08/2026

Newly-commissioned Captain Commanding John S Damiano, 1st Lieutenant Robert Collins, candidate for 2nd Lieutenant Brigadier General John Driscoll, and SFC Sidney Davis, Jr. attended the annual 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery Regiment's Redleg Ball. The colors of this unit carry 5 unit award streamers and over 70 campaign streamers symbolizing service to our nation from 1775 to the present. Joining the Ancients were members of the Second Corps of Cadets including LTC Ron Morneau.

The 1-101 FA is the Nation's First and Army's oldest artillery unit tracing its lineage to 1636.

The night also featured an induction of several present into the Order of Saint Barbara - and celebration with artillery punch.

06/07/2026

Since 1638 there have been 318 Captains Commanding of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. Here are just a few. For more history follow our Archives page.

06/05/2026

If you would like to learn more about the history of the Oldest Chartered Military Organization in the Western Hemisphere then please follow the below page.

This is the official page of the archives for the Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts. Our goal is to preserve and share the history of our organization.

06/02/2026

Congratulations and best wishes to Captain John S Damiano, the 318th Captain Commanding of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts.

Today June 1st 2026 CPT Damiano was commissioned as Captain Commanding on Boston common during the Company's annual June day change of command ceremonies.
June day is a Massachusetts tradition dating back all the way to 1638.
(Photo by Lauren Poussard)

06/01/2026

The 317th Captain Commanding, Stephen Colella, and members of the Society of Past Commanders the evening before the June Day change of command ceremonies 2026.

05/30/2026

June Day is THIS MONDAY, June 1, 2026!

On June Day is the 1st Monday in June each year. The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, the oldest charted military company in the Western Hemisphere, parades from historic Faneuil Hall starting at 12:30 to the Carty parade ground in Boston Common where it will be accompanied by many other military units as it conducts its change of command ceremonies followed by a church service in honor of the fallen, and finally a banquet to mark the occasion. This tradition dates back to 1638.

This year Captain Commanding Stephen Colella will turn over command to incoming Captain John Damiano who was elected by the Company as his successor. Captain Damiano will be commissioned as the Company's 318th Captain Commanding.

Military units will conduct a pass and review infront of the Governor, visiting dignitaries, and there will be a traditional salute from howitzers by the 101st Field Artillery.

Come and be a part of history this Monday on Boston Common!

05/30/2026

The Company and participating units should leave Faneuil Hall at 12:30 to parade to the Common and arrive at approximately 13:00 on Boston Common in the area between the Public Gardens and the howitzers arranged around Flagstaff Hill just down the hill from the State House where the units will muster for the Change of Command ceremonies.
The public are invited to witness the ceremonies but are advised that the howitzers will be offering a salute during the ceremony.

05/28/2026

June Day - the 1st Monday in June - is just a few days away!

What is June Day?

Since 1638, the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts holds its change of command ceremonies on Boston.Common. Marching from its HQ atop of historic Faneuil Hall, the AHAC is joined by the Massachusetts National Guard the Honorable Artillery Company of London, the USS Constitution ColorGuard, and multiple other military units conduct a pass and review of troops accompanied by a 19 gun howitzer salute and a commissioning of the Company's senior ranks.

The event is open to the public so come and be a part of American history!

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