(WASHINGTON) Soldiers and leaders of the District of Columbia National Guard held their annual awards and decorations ceremony Dec. 8 at the D.C. Armory.
Maj. Gen. William J. Walker, the commanding general, lauded the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s accomplishments.
“We did a lot in 2019,” Walker said. “I challenge you to re-commit to more in 2020. There are 54 national guards – someone has got to be No. 1.”
The late Green Bay Packers coach, Vince Lombardi, once said that while pursuing perfection, one can find greatness.
“We’re pursuing perfection,” Walker said.
Accomplishments of the D.C. National Guard in 2019 include deployment of multiple Army and Air Force assets to Afghanistan, Philippines, South Korea, Poland and other countries; establishing a 76th Department of Defense State Partnership Program relationship with Burkina Faso, a country facing intensified violence; protecting the District of Columbia air space as part of the Aerospace Control Alert mission; and providing security and other assistance to federal and district partners during special events in the nation’s capital.
Walker also praised individual D.C. National Guard members for their commitment to community.
Army Staff Sgt. Christian R. Flores, a recruiter, received the District of Columbia Hero Recognition Award for saving a young man’s leg.
While visiting a potential recruit, Flores heard gunshots and screams. He ran toward the sounds and found the man on the ground. Realizing that the man had been shot, Flores performed first aid until emergency responders arrived.
President Thomas Jefferson established the D.C. National Guard in 1802 and gave it the task of protecting the capital and defending the nation.
“Not everyone can wear the cloth of the nation,” Walker said. “This cloth brings reassurance and fear – reassurance to allies and fear to enemies. We wear the jersey of the most powerful, feared and respected team in the history of the world.”