According to General Rieth, “This is one tradition we need to maintain.  The military and the National Guard specifically have been at the forefront of many major social changes in America.  We reflect a true cross section of America’s diversity and represent New Jersey’s many faces.  Today is a true celebration of how our differences make us stronger.”  The General went on to add, “I’m extremely pleased to report that we (The National Guard) offer tremendous career, education, and employment opportunities to every segment of our state’s population regardless of gender, race, creed, or color.”

The New Jersey National Guard was the first National Guard in the country to desegregate.  In April of 1930, with the full support and encouragement of Governor Driscoll, the State Legislature took the unprecedented step of approving the formation of the First Separate Battalion, New Jersey Army National Guard.  Even though these actions were in apparent violation of federal law, the state appropriated funds for the organization of this battalion.  And in July of 1931, 63 members of Company A of New Jersey’s newest unit were mustered-in at an old movie theater in Newark, New Jersey.

The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, headquarters to both the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard, sponsors a number of other heritage / pride celebrations ranging from Black History and Hispanic Heritage to Asian-Pacific Heritage.  Unity Day celebrates a wider variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.  Friday’s program includes a drill team demonstration by the New Jersey National Guard ChalleNGe Youth Program Cadets; multi-cultural displays and a truly unique food sampling experience dubbed “ Come Cook with us in the Mixing Bowl” featuring segments like “Cooking with J-Loc”, “Fun with Filipino Food”, “Goya Ain’t Got Nothin’ on Ya”, and “Eddie C’s Americana”.  Numerous exhibits and displays will feature American Indian, African American, Korean, Irish, Scandinavian, Hispanic, Filipino, Jamaican, Italian, and Czech cultures, The Federal Women’s Program, Buffalo Soldiers, Veterans Memorials, Americans with Disabilities, and the ChalleNGe Youth program.