[2] According to the Virginia National Guard, its history is divided into multiple eras typically defined by America's wars against foreign powers.

[3] During Virginia's colonial era (1607–1774), many Virginians served in the militia formed to protect the various towns and counties.

During the French and Indian War (1755–1763) George Washington, served as a Lieutenant Colonel of the Virginia Regiment.

After the wars, Virginia militiamen served in state duty for riot control and law enforcement.

[7] The Birth of the Modern National Guard (1903–1916): During the Spanish American War many problems in the existing State Militia system became obvious to all.

Among the provisions was a mandate that Guardsmen had to drill a minimum of 48 periods a year along with 15 days of "annual training."

President Woodrow Wilson ordered the Army to pursue them into Mexico and later mobilized 100,000 National Guardsmen to patrol and protect the border against further raids.

From Virginia came two infantry regiments, a battalion of field artillery, one cavalry squadron and companies of engineers and signal troops, for a total of 4,000 men.

While at McClellan the 29th Division, composed of Guard units from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia, adopted the nickname it still carries today, "Blue and Gray."

The morning of 6 June 1944, to be known forever as "D-Day," saw the largest invasion in history launched against five beaches on the coast of Normandy, France.

After D-Day the 29th fought major battles at St Lo, Brest, Julich, and a number of other places until 8 May 1945 when the war in Europe ended with a German surrender.

In early 2002 approximately 70 soldiers of Virginia's Company B, 3rd Bn, 20th Special Forces Group, were mobilized and deployed to Afghanistan.

From late 2006 into early 2007 the 203rd RED HORSE flight served in OIF, with elements also in OEF performing various construction missions.

As the war increased and decreased in scope, more and more VANG units were mobilized and deployed to OIF and OEF.

[14] During the January 6 United States Capitol attack, the Virginia National Guard was activated and sent to Washington DC to help restore order.