4th of July Salute to the Union by Veteran Corps of Artillery of the State of New York

The 9th Field Artillery Regiment of the Veteran Corps of Artillery of the State of New York (VCASNY) held their annual Independence Day ceremony in Lower Manhattan, with an artillery salute to all 50 states in order of their date of statehood in the Union.

Formed in 1790, the historic military organization is the oldest in New York State, created just a few years after the end of the American Revolutionary War. Initially composed of officers and soldiers of the American Revolution, the VCASNY later expanded to descendants of those who fought in that war and the War of 1812, then later more widely outside of this hereditary lineage.

Members have served in all U.S. military branches, and some remain active while also being a part of the organization. Today, the unit largely serves in ceremonial functions, including in this year’s Fourth of July Parade in Lower Manhattan.

The event took place at Battery Park in New York, with spectators gathered near the waterfront for the artillery salute to the 50 states of the union.