17-year-old student from Arlington High School takes part in Army Birthday ceremony on June 13 at NY National Guard headquarters
Pvt. John Steven Palacios, represented the future of the Army in a traditional birthday cake cutting ceremony
Latham, New York (06/13/2025) — A 17-year-old National Guard recruit who attends Arlington High School played a key role in the New York National Guard's celebration of the Army's 250th birthday on June 13 in Latham New York.
Army National Guard Pvt. John Steven Palacios, who enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in April, took part in the traditional cake-cutting ceremony at the event.
Traditionally the oldest Soldier present at a birthday event joins the youngest Soldier present in cutting the Army birthday cake. Palacios was the youngest Soldiers in the Friday ceremony.
Chief Warrant Officer 5 William Solmo, age 59, represented the customs and traditions of the Army, while Palacios represented the Army's future.
Palacios said it was an honor to represent the future of the United States Army.
"It makes me look forward to my future," he said.
While the Army's Birthday was being celebrated at the Latham headquarters, 436 Soldiers from the New York Army Guard's 42nd infantry Division were in Washington, D.C. preparing to march in the Army 250 Parade on June 14.
The Army National Guard is a reserve component of the Army, which consists of almost one million Soldiers in the Active Army, the Army National Guard and the Army Reserve.
On June 14, 1775, the Second Continental Congress took the first steps toward creating a national Army.
The Congress agreed to "adopt" an army of New England colonial militias which was besieging the British Army in Boston after the battles of Lexington and Concord.
Congress also voted to enlist ten companies of riflemen into the new Continental Army, who would reenforce the militia units around Boston.
The next day, June 15, the Congress voted to appoint George Washington, who had served in the French and Indian War, as the commander-in-chief of the new Army.
Palacios said he enlisted in the Army National Guard, because he wanted to serve, while also following his goal of becoming a police officer. The Army's educational benefits will help him meet his goal, Palacios added.
Palacios lives in LaGrange. He and his mother immigrated to the United States from Ecuador when he was ten years old, and the New York Army National Guard is assisting him in his naturalization process to become a U.S. citizen.
He has not yet attended training, but is a member of Detachment 1 of the 1501 Quartermaster Company, which is a field feeding unit and is based at the Glenmore Road Armory in Troy.
Media Attachments
New York Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Isabel Smith watches as Chief Warrant Officer 5 William Solmo (center) joined by Pvt. John Palacios in cutting the Army birthday cake during a June 13, 2025 Army Birthday ceremony held at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham, New York to mark the Army's 250th birthday. Palacios, who is 17, represented the future of the Army, while Solmo, who is 59, represented the history and traditions of the service. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Stephanie Butler)
New York National Guard
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