Honoring the National Guard's Service in Winning the War on Terror

by Addison Graves Wilson

   HONORING THE NATIONAL GUARD'S SERVICE IN WINNING THE WAR ON TERROR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 15, 2004

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, yesterday President George
W. Bush praised the valor of guardsmen and reservists fighting to win
the War on Terror. President Bush is the 19th former guardsman to be
president and he rightly pointed out that the National Guard is
America's oldest fighting force. The Guard has played a vital role in
all of our major conflicts, and especially in recent decades fighting
in Vietnam, the Gulf War, and the War on Terror.
  The Guard is also called on in times of national emergency to provide
invaluable support to local authorities. After the attacks of September
11th, thousands of Guardsmen across the country voluntarily stepped
forward to help. When hurricanes strike our shores, it is the Guard
that provides necessary communications and rescue services.
  As a proud 31-year veteran of the South Carolina Army National Guard,
with two sons in the Guard one of whom is serving in Iraq, I ask all of
my colleagues to join me in thanking all of the men and women serving
in the Guard and Reserves today for protecting American families in the
War on Terror.
  In conclusion, may God bless our troops and we will never forget
September 11th.