54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment

Last updated
54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment
FoundedNovember 20, 2008
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
BranchFlag of the United States Army.svg  United States Army
Type Ceremonial regiment

The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment is a ceremonial foot guards regiment of the Massachusetts Army National Guard. It takes its name from the famous 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment and is a public duties unit.

History

The preexisting Massachusetts National Guard's Honor Guard, was re-designated as the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment. [1] [2] In doing so the unit assumed the history of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, which preceded it and which fought in the American Civil War. [3] The 54th was made famous through its representation in the 1989 film Glory . [4]

The unit was raised on November 21, 2008, and designated the Massachusetts National Guard ceremonial unit, forming an honor guard at military funerals and other state functions. [3] It was invited to march in President Barack Obama's inaugural parade. [1] [5] In 2023, members of the unit were present when Concord, Massachusetts honored the death of Private George Washington Dugan, who died while serving with the predecessor unit. [6]

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References

  1. 1 2 "54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment". Massachusetts National Guard. 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  2. "Patrick Renames Ceremonial Guard Unit to Honor 54th Mass". iBerkshires.com. North Adams, Massachusetts: Boxcar Media. 22 November 2008. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
    Xu, Kaili (22 November 2008). "Historic regiment reinstated". The Enterprise. Brockton, Massachusetts. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  3. 1 2 Kibbe, David (21 November 2008). "Famed 54th Massachusetts formally reactivated". Cape Cod Times. Hyannis, Massachusetts. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  4. Kibbe, Dave (23 November 2008). "'Glory' for 54th Mass National Guard". Cape Cod Times. Hyannis, Massachusetts. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  5. McAfee, Tierney (14 January 2009). "54th Mass. Regiment to march in inaugural parade". The Banner. Dorchester, Massachusetts. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  6. Longo, Oliver (17 July 2023). "Faithful Unto Death: Concord honors Black Civil War soldier 160 years later (Photo Gallery)". The Concord Bridge. Concord, Massachusetts. Retrieved 12 March 2024.