Rider displays obvious pride in the original military art which adorns the walls of the 60 X 100 foot drill floor and has added posters, flags, and other “military art” to transform what would otherwise resemble an empty warehouse into a virtual showcase of Army Guard history. 

“A large part of military service is the esprit d’corps and pride in one’s home unit. By preserving some of the history of this building, we hope to maintain some of the unit pride and patriotism that has been part of every unit to have been headquartered here.” 

In addition to oversized mural art, flags, plaques, and other memorabilia displayed in the central showcase of the main entrance and in an exhibit off the drill floor, Rider, originally from Georgia, has preserved a small collection of photographs documenting some of the more distinguished people to visit the Armory to include Brigadier general Glenn K. Rieth, the current Adjutant General of New Jersey and the Commander-in-Chief of the New Jersey National Guard, Governor James E. Mc Greevey. 

The Woodbridge Armory is now the headquarters for “Charlie” Company that is a subordinate unit of the 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry, New Jersey Army National Guard headquartered in Riverdale (Morris County). 

The Woodbridge Armory, which is clearly visible from the New Jersey Turnpike just south of the intersection with the Garden State Parkway, long has been a prominent presence in local community activities and events. Originally built in 1961, the facility served as a staging area for Army Guard troops mobilized to assist in the response to the September 11th (2001) terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and more recently, again served as the staging area for troops activated to respond to any emergencies that may have occurred during the first anniversary of the attacks.

In quieter times, the Armory has been host to a variety of activities, events, and organizations to include the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, has hosted trade shows, a circus, and served as a polling place on election day. 

The New Jersey National Guard, which Brigadier General Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General of New Jersey refers to as “New Jersey’s Home Town Team”, has more than 7,000 Army Guard troops stationed at 32 active armories in 20 of the state’s 21 counties; and more than 2,500 Air National Guard troops stationed at McGuire Air Force Base and Atlantic City International Airport. Following September 11th, more than 1,700 citizen-soldiers of the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard were mobilized to provide additional security at the Hudson River Bridges & Tunnels, area airports, at the state’s two nuclear facilities, and at other key infrastructure areas. National Guard personnel remain involved in both “Operation Noble Eagle”, the Homeland Defense missions right here in New Jersey and “Operation Enduring Freedom”, the ongoing global war against terrorism. 

photo by Roman M. Martyniuk, NJDMAVA