HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Pennsylvania National Guard held its annual “Guard Day at the Capitol” here June 12 to showcase its mission and capabilities to state legislators, staff and visitors through numerous displays.
House and Senate resolutions proclaimed June 12, 2019 to be National Guard Day in Pennsylvania.
The event serves as an opportunity for Pennsylvania National Guard leadership and members to inform and interact with state lawmakers, their staff and the public.
The day began with a breakfast meeting with Maj. Gen. Anthony Carrelli, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general, other Pennsylvania National Guard senior staff, and dozens of legislators and their staff.
During the meeting, Carrelli set the theme for the day, “Our Guardsmen and our families, serving the community,” and thanked the legislators for their role in supporting the Pennsylvania National Guard, including the families of service members.
“We have a lot to be proud of, our force has done a tremendous amount for commonwealth and country over the past year,” said Carrelli, highlighting the Guard’s response to hurricanes, blizzards, and floods throughout the nation and deployments and multinational exercises overseas..
He added that members of the Pennsylvania National Guard truly are Pennsylvania, living in every community and working as teachers, police officers, fire fighters, students, nurses and more.
Guard members representing a variety of units and functions of the Pennsylvania National Guard spent the morning setting up colorful visual displays in the rotunda. Knowledgeable Soldiers and Airmen explained to curious legislators, staff and visitors their unique roles in the 19,000 member force, the third largest Guard in the nation.
When the House and Senate were called to session, several outstanding Guard members were recognized for their accomplishments on the House floor.
“It’s a special honor to be recognized with this outstanding unit award for the 18th year in a row,” said Col. Stacey Zdanavage, vice wing commander of the 193rd Special Operations Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard. “The Airmen of the 193rd work hard year round. Not just on deployment, not just in domestic operations, not just in training, it is their efforts that provide the recognition of this award.”
The General Assembly recognized the 193rd, the 171st Air Refueling Wing, and the 111th Attack Wing for receiving the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the first time all three Wings in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard received the award in the same year.
The House and Senate also recognized several Soldiers and Airmen involved in the aerial rescue of flood victims during 2018’s record-breaking rains in Pennsylvania, as well as spouses of recently deployed Guard members.
Guard Day at the Capitol highlights the close relationship between members of the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Commonwealth’s elected leaders.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Lt. Col. Keith Hickox (717)861-6254, or e-mail ng.pa.paarng.list.pao@mail.mil