I have to take exception with the accuracy of the following passage...
"And the army – of citizens, tradesmen and farmers, with arms designed for hunting, not battle – that assembled during that famous night not only surprised and turned back the Redcoats, but overnight became the nucleus of the Continental Army. The National Guard."
1st - The Militia at Lexington & Concord (and most militias in the Colonies at the time) were armed with a mix of weaponry including both hunting and military firearms. In the mid-18th century, many communities outfitted their men with Committee of Safety Muskets which were American made copies of the British Long Land Pattern musket, the same basic type used by the British Army at the time.
2nd - The Militia was never considered part of the Continental Army. It always was treated as a distinct entity unto itself. The Continental Army was made up of men who enlisted for specific full time terms in state units as regular soldiers, not part time militiamen.
Thanks for your accuracy improvement. Pat's heart is in the right place but he does have some historical challenges there. Additionally, he falls into the trap of making the NG equivalent to the "militia" which is exactly where the gun controllers would like us to be. The NG and the militia are entirely different entities as recognized by US Code.