Members of the New York Army National Guard will gather at its upstate headquarters to mark the 242nd birthday of the United States Army.

Wednesday afternoon’s ceremony will be held at the state Division of Military and Naval Affairs facility in the Albany suburb of Latham.

State officials say the traditional cake-cutting ceremony for the Army’s birthday will feature one of the oldest soldiers and one of the youngest soldiers in the National Guard: Lt. Col. James Freehart, who has 36 years in the military, and 18-year-old Pfc. Jade Richards.

Brig. Gen. Raymond Shields, commander of the New York Army National Guard, will join them.

The U.S. Army considers June 14 its birthday. That’s the day in 1775 when the Continental Congress voted to create the Continental Army during the American Revolution.
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