Photo By Master Sgt. Mike Smith | From left: Gen. Craig R. McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau; Maj. Gen....... read more read more
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WASHINGTON — National Guard leaders celebrated the Guard's 373rd birthday on Capitol Hill today along with other DoD dignitaries and members of Congress.
"It's been a great year for the National Guard," said Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau, who extended his gratitude to the congressional representatives in the audience for their support.
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Michael B. Donley, secretary of the Air Force, also attended the evening birthday celebration here at the Rayburn House Office Building.
Mullen thanked Guardmembers and their families for their service and support to the nation. "Going back those 373 years, I don't think you've ever been better than you are right now," said Mullen. "You represent a wonderful organization that expands the ... width and breadth and depth of our country."
Representatives and Guard leaders who spoke acknowledged the colonial act passed on Dec. 13, 1636, that authorized the first three regiments of militia in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. It's considered by many as the
beginnings of the oldest regiments of the U.S. military.
A few months later, militia formed for the "first muster" in Salem, Mass.
That act authorized the colony's governor as "chief general," and today's governors still serve as the commanders and chief of their respective National Guards.
Several days ago, the House of Representatives voted 401-0 on a resolution to "thank the members of the National Guard for their service" in honor of their 373rd birthday. Today, several of those same representatives attended today's speeches and cake cutting.
The resolution also acknowledged support for the Guard in its resources and readiness, expressed its "condolences and gratitude" to the families of fallen Guardmembers and "honors and supports the compassionate, courageous, and dedicated members of the National Guard who serve a critical role in protecting the United States and its citizens' freedoms and treasured liberties."
That first homeland defense role of protecting settlers continues today. On average, on any given day, 17 governors call out their National Guard to help citizens in need.
Abroad, officials said the Guard has roughly 50,000 of its nearly 460,000 Citizen-Soldiers and -Airmen deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and other missions.
At home, thousands of Guardmembers work daily with law enforcement in counter-drug operations, and still others through the Guard's State Partnership Program support partnerships with 62 nations "to advance security, stability, and prosperity around the globe."
| Date Taken: | 12.11.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 12.11.2009 15:01 |
| Story ID: | 42632 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Web Views: | 173 |
| Downloads: | 151 |
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