Photo By Master Sgt. Bryan Hoover | Guardsmen assigned to both the 28th Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort Indiantown Gap,...... read more read more
The Pennsylvania Guard has served, supported and protected American citizens well before we declared our independence. In 1747, nearly 30 years before the declaration was signed, Benjamin Franklin led a group of individuals, which developed into a volunteer militia. The militia consisted of people from small villages, towns and robust cities like Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. During the Civil War, President Lincoln called on these volunteers to fight for the union and guardsmen quickly assembled, earning the nickname “The First Defenders.”
Almost 300 years later, guardsmen are still members of our communities, and when called upon, they answer. They train and prepare and are ready to protect each one of us by stepping forward as an American defender. Today, our nation is defended by over 450,000 Guardsmen from all 50 states and U.S. territories that have sworn to defend the constitution of the U.S.
When our nation was attacked on September 11, 2001, Guardsmen left their homes to fight against our enemies. Likewise, when COVID-19 began to spread at dangerously high rates, guardsmen were ready to help safeguard their states.
Guardsmen partnered with food banks to help sort, package and distribute food to those impacted by COVID-19. They established field hospitals and testing sites so citizens had immediate access to medical attention. They transported equipment to the regions that needed it the most. When the world began to shut down, Guardsmen stepped up.
Every U.S. state has its own National Guard including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The National Guard is a combination of both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force. These soldiers and airmen are the only U.S. service members to serve both their state and country.
Since 9/11, the Pennsylvania National Guard has become one of the most deployed in our nation. More than 35,000 Pennsylvania citizen soldiers and citizen airman have deployed worldwide over the past 19 years.
The strength of the National Guard lays in the blending of Air Force, Army and civilian skills. Therefore, the National Guard is one of the most capable and adaptive forces in the world. From “The First Defenders” to today’s Guardsmen, the PANG is and always has been ready.
Pennsylvania is a commonwealth of guardians. Guardians that have volunteered to train, prepare and protect because just like you, this is their home. They are guardians that have sworn that they will always be there when called upon because they live here, train here and serve here, in the commonwealth. They have and always will be our nation’s sword and shield, it’s sentry and avenger. They are guardians of freedom and the American way of life. These Air National Guardsmen and Army National Guardsmen will never falter and they will not fail!
| Date Taken: | 12.01.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 12.01.2020 10:59 |
| Story ID: | 383991 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 79 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, PA Defenders are Always Ready, by MSgt Bryan Hoover, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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