Massachusetts National Guard — The Nation's First

06/12/2026

🎂🇺🇸 251 Years of Service to the Nation 🇺🇸🎂

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. — Massachusetts National Guard service members and civilian employees celebrated the 251st birthday of the United States Army, honoring more than two and a half centuries of service, sacrifice and commitment to the nation at a ceremony at our Joint Forces Headquarters here, June 12, 2026.

The United States Army was established on June 14, 1775, when the Second Continental Congress authorized the creation of the Continental Army.

The ceremony included remarks recognizing the Army's enduring legacy, a presentation of the colors and the traditional cake-cutting ceremony. In keeping with Army birthday tradition, the first slice of the cake was taken by the oldest and youngest Soldiers present, symbolizing the passing of knowledge, experience and values from one generation to the next.

Happy 251st Birthday, U.S. Army!

06/11/2026

Teams of marksmen from units across the Massachusetts National Guard gathered at Fort Devens Range Complex June 6 and 7 for the annual Adjutants General Marksmanship Match, or as it’s known, The TAG Match.

Teams competed in matches such as Excellence in Competition (EIC) in both pistol and rifle, anti-body armor matches, special zero, and the Phalanx run.

The Phalanx run consisted of an 800M run, followed by engaging targets from multiple distances and positions from 400m to 100m, prone to standing.

The anti-body armor matches consisted of engaging a silhouette target with rounds in the torso and in the head scoring area.

After two days and thousands of rounds, familiar names were at the top of the team and individual leaderboards.

Winning the overall individual category and getting his name on the Dupont Cup was Sgt Matthew Rezuke.

Winning the team competition was the Battalion Bang Sticks.

This is the second year in a row that Rezuke and the Battalion Bang Sticks won the competition.

Marksmanship competitions do more than just find the best shooters and inspire esprit de corps, they give Soldiers valuable lessons in improving their marksmanship, which they bring back to their units, increasing efficiency and lethality across the force.

Full results and photos of the awards coming soon!

We'll also have a full story from the TAG Match in the next Minuteman Magazine

06/06/2026

On June 6, 1944, the course of history changed forever.
D-Day marked the historic Normandy invasion, launching the massive Allied effort to liberate Western Europe from N**i occupation. On that fateful day, approximately 156,000 Allied soldiers stormed the beaches, backed by an armada of nearly 7,000 ships and landing craft.
"D-Day" is a military code designation for the start date of a major operation—but it became a symbol of courage that defined a generation.

The audio is taken from then President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s radio address to the nation on the night of June 6th.

The audio is taken from then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s radio address to the nation on the night of June 6th.

06/04/2026

WELCOME HOME!

Today, in Natick, Ma. nearly 11 months after saying goodbye, friends, family, and fellow servicemembers welcomed home the Soldiers of the 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade and 26th Signal Company from their deployment to the Horn of Africa in support of the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa.

Earlier this afternoon at Hanscom Air Force Base, the returning Soldiers were greeted by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, the Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard, and other senior leaders of the Mass. Guard, as they departed their planes.

Welcome home Yankee Brigade!

05/31/2026

05/29/2026

Hot off the press!

The May edition of the Minuteman Magazine is out now!

This month, we have stories from Memorial Day, Ranger Assessment, A Mother and Son serving overseas, the Field Artillery send-off ceremony, some high-wire engineering, and more!

Check it out and let us know which story or photo is your favorite.

This Magazine is an authorized publication for members of the Massachusetts National Guard. Contents of this magazine are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the National Guard Bureau or the Massachusetts National Guard.

05/28/2026

05/26/2026

BOSTON – Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, the Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard, presented Medals of Liberty and Fidelity during a Memorial Day ceremony at the Massachusetts State House, May 26, 2026.

The Medal of Liberty is presented to family members of servicemembers who died as a result of direct combat or training accidents while in service to the United States of America.

The Massachusetts Medal of Fidelity is presented to the Next of Kin of service members or veterans from the Commonwealth who died as a result of either combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder or other disorder approved by the Adjutant General.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. Their sacrifice secured the freedoms we cherish and forged the legacy we are proud to uphold today.

From the first militia members who answered the call at Lexington and Concord to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts around the world, we remember their courage, devotion, and selfless service.

The Massachusetts National Guard stands in solemn gratitude for our fallen heroes and in support of the families who carry their legacy forward.

We will never forget.

05/22/2026

Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Covel, the Command Sergeant Major of Camp Edwards Training Site, gave this incredible speech at the Ottoson Middle School in Arlington about the true meaning of Memorial Day.

This was the same school he attended as a child. It’s great to see our senior leaders out in their community talking about the importance of Memorial Day.