Latest news with #BattleofBladensburg
Newsweek
11-08-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
DC National Guard Changes Commander
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Major General John C. Andonie retired as interim commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard (DCNG) after more than 35 years of experience. He formally transferred authority to Brigadier General Leland D. Blanchard II during a combined Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony on August 9 at DAR Constitution Hall. Why It Matters The DCNG plays a unique role as the only National Guard unit directly under the command of the U.S. president, rather than a state governor. Its commander often operates in a politically sensitive environment, balancing federal missions, homeland security responsibilities, and support to the D.C. mayor during emergencies. The leadership change comes at a time when Washington remains a focal point for security planning. In recent weeks, President Trump has reiterated his commitment to increased law enforcement presence in the capital to address crime and homelessness. The DCNG's readiness posture is expected to remain a key element of those efforts. What To Know Brigadier General Leland D. Blanchard II will serve as interim commanding general until a permanent successor is announced. The ceremonies that saw the transfer of power take place were presided over by Lieutenant General Jonathan M. Stubbs, director of the Army National Guard. "As a two-star general, Andonie extended a hand of friendship to me when I was new and unsure," Stubbs said. "He put me at ease in his own special way, and that's why, throughout his career, his focus has always been on people." Andonie spoke about the achievements of his tenure, including "strong relationships with the federal and District partners we share the 'Capital Guardians' name with" and "renewed emphasis on our wartime mission." "From 2019 to 2023, a heavy domestic operations tempo shifted our focus away from that," he said. "This year, we executed a multi-echelon training event with the Land Component Command, and our Air Wing is participating in a major exercise in the Pacific." He also said the DCNG had "embraced our 223-year history through efforts like our partnership with Congressional Cemetery to commemorate the Battle of Bladensburg each year." "The D.C. National Guard excels at its dual mission of serving both the District of Columbia and the nation," Andonie said. "We are highly responsive to local emergencies while maintaining strong readiness for federal missions. Our relationships with local and federal partners are a key strength." Major General John C. Andonie's official District of Columbia National Guard photo, taken on an unknown date. Major General John C. Andonie's official District of Columbia National Guard photo, taken on an unknown date. District of Columbia National Guard It comes as Trump has formally declared a public safety emergency in Washington, D.C., triggering a federal takeover of the city's police department. During a 10 a.m. ET briefing at the White House on Monday, Trump declared Washington, D.C., "unsafe," "dirty," and "disgusting," citing graffiti, deteriorating roads, and rising public disorder as justification for sweeping federal intervention. While overall crime rates have fallen from pandemic-era spikes, according to The Washington Post, individual violent incidents have intensified the perception of lawlessness and fueled debate over local control of policing. What People Are Saying Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie said, according to DVIDS: "I believe the role of the National Guard is more relevant now than ever. Modern citizen-soldiers and airmen must be agile and flexible, as demonstrated by our Guard members responding to missions both at home and abroad. Brig. Gen. Blanchard is the right leader at the right point in our history to assume command of this great organization." Lt. Gen. Jonathan M. Stubbs said, according to DVIDS: "(Andonie is) a proven, dedicated leader, a true professional, a servant leader, and a man who genuinely cares about the soldiers and airmen he's led for over three decades." What Happens Next Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II will take Andonie's place for now, until a permanent successor is chosen - the timeline for a permanent successor had not been announced. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that members of the Washington, D.C. National Guard will begin arriving in the capital throughout the week as part of Trump's public safety emergency declaration.
Belfast Telegraph
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Explore NI's curious sites – from an upside down lighthouse to a monument for a man who set fire to the White House
Along the road between Rostrevor and Warrenpoint stands a particularly impressive monument, an obelisk that reaches 30m into the sky, which was erected in memory of a local man, Major General Robert Ross. He was first noted as a commander of a British force that, with their allies, the Russians, helped to defeat the Dutch Batavians in 1799. He also fought against Napoleon at Alexandria in 1804, at Heida in 1806, at Corunna in 1809 and in the Pyrenees in 1813. He then went west to America to take part in the 1812–1815 war between the British and the United States. There, in 1814, he was involved in the defeat of the US army at the Battle of Bladensburg, which has been de- scribed as 'the greatest disgrace ever dealt to American arms'. The panicked disorganised retreat of American forces, including President Madison and the rest of the federal government, became known as the Bladensburg Races. The American defeat resulted in the taking of the city of Washington and the setting fire to the White House by Ross's men. The Library of Congress was also destroyed by the British. Later, during the Battle of Baltimore, Ross was killed. His body was preserved in a barrel of 129 gallons of Jamaican rum and shipped to Nova Scotia, where he was buried. This obelisk was erected in 1826 in his honour, on the site where he and his wife had planned to build their home.
Belfast Telegraph
17-05-2025
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
From a man who set fire to the White House to an upside down lighthouse: Explore the hidden gems around Northern Ireland
Michael Fewer's new book delves into the history behind interesting sites on the island of Ireland Along the road between Rostrevor and Warrenpoint stands a particularly impressive monument, an obelisk that reaches 30m into the sky, which was erected in memory of a local man, Major General Robert Ross. He was first noted as a commander of a British force that, with their allies, the Russians, helped to defeat the Dutch Batavians in 1799. He also fought against Napoleon at Alexandria in 1804, at Heida in 1806, at Corunna in 1809 and in the Pyrenees in 1813. He then went west to America to take part in the 1812–1815 war between the British and the United States. There, in 1814, he was involved in the defeat of the US army at the Battle of Bladensburg, which has been de- scribed as 'the greatest disgrace ever dealt to American arms'. The panicked disorganised retreat of American forces, including President Madison and the rest of the federal government, became known as the Bladensburg Races. The American defeat resulted in the taking of the city of Washington and the setting fire to the White House by Ross's men. The Library of Congress was also destroyed by the British. Later, during the Battle of Baltimore, Ross was killed. His body was preserved in a barrel of 129 gallons of Jamaican rum and shipped to Nova Scotia, where he was buried. This obelisk was erected in 1826 in his honour, on the site where he and his wife had planned to build their home. It was cold and overcast on December 31, 1909 when a small group of people in a meadow in Hillsborough Park watched 25-year-old Harry Ferguson sit into an elaborate contraption of wires and spruce frames covered with linen, mounting a 35-horsepower engine. Outside the town of Hillsborough, opposite his former home, today you will find there the Harry Ferguson Memorial Garden. It features a bronze statue of the man standing at a farm gate with a spanner in his hand: a very low-key memorial for a true Irish genius.
