INDIANAPOLIS – Despite the chilly January weather, it was with warm hearts that the Indiana National Guard said farewell to their outgoing governor, Mitch Daniels, and welcomed in the Gov. Mike Pence in an inauguration ceremony on the steps of the Indiana Statehouse today.
Supporting the event was not only a National Guard color guard, but the 38th Infantry Division Band, as well. Pence, demonstrating his familiarity with the leadership of the Indiana National Guard, reappointed Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger as the Indiana adjutant general, who responded, “I would be honored to serve as your adjutant general.”
Pence also named State Command Sgt. Maj James M. Brown as the new director of the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs.
As part of Pence’s new position, he will serve as the Commander in Chief of the Indiana National Guard, one of the largest state-level military forces in the country. He has faith and confidence in not only the abilities of the National Guard to respond when called upon, but in all of Indiana’s public servants.
“If you serve the people, serve with all your heart,” said Pence. “If the past eight years have shown us anything, it is that Hoosiers are not afraid of doing hard things.”
Only time will tell what the next four years have in store for the Indiana National Guard under the leadership of Indiana’s new commander in chief. Pence is optimistic about the future of Indiana, and says the Hoosier state is “destined for greatness.”