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2010 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 196
Celebrating the accomplishments of the Virginia National Guard and the Virginia Defense Force in 2009.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, February 25, 2010
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 5, 2010
 

WHEREAS, the courageous soldiers and airmen of the Virginia National Guard have made outstanding and valuable contributions to the defense of the United States and the security of the Commonwealth and have advanced the cause of freedom around the world; and

WHEREAS, these same soldiers and airmen have put themselves in harm’s way, fought bravely, made great sacrifices, and provided an example of selfless service for all the citizens of the Commonwealth and the nation; and

WHEREAS, the following units have completed remarkable deployments and successfully returned from active duty in 2009: the Richmond-based 1710th Transportation Company, the Manassas-based Regional Computer Emergency Response Team, two Afghanistan Embedded Training Teams, the Powhatan-based 180th Engineer Company, the Manassas-based 266th Military Police Company, and the Richmond-based 276th Engineer Battalion; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Air Guard successfully deployed airmen in 2009 from the 192d Fighter Wing, 203d RED HORSE Squadron, and 200th Weather Flight to Afghanistan, Djibouti, Guantanamo Bay, Guam, Iraq, Japan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, McMurdo Station Antarctica, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates; and

WHEREAS, more than 1,400 Virginia Guard personnel including the Army Guard, Air Guard, and the Virginia Defense Force were on duty to support the 56th Presidential Inauguration; and

WHEREAS, the Maneuver Training Center, Fort Pickett, was designated as one of three Virginia military bases to receive the Virginia Department of Defense Eagle Award for Environmental Stewardship; and

WHEREAS, soldiers from the Virginia National Guard’s Bowling Green-based 189th Engineer Company assisted in constructing a temporary bridge for the Town of Big Stone Gap that allowed uninterrupted traffic flow while a permanent bridge was being constructed; and

WHEREAS, Virginia Army National Guard soldiers were mobilized on state active duty to support flood recovery in West Virginia and Virginia and to provide emergency assistance when a major winter storm struck the Commonwealth, rescuing stranded motorists and delivering food and supplies to isolated counties, all in support of the Virginia National Guard’s mission to save the lives and property of Virginians and the citizens of our sister states; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Defense Force continues to be integrated into every major operation conducted by the Virginia National Guard and the highly decorated, all-volunteer force has added to its capabilities, allowing the Virginia Defense Force to successfully respond to the needs of the citizens of the Commonwealth on the land, in the air, and on the water; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia National Guard’s Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy graduated the largest class in the history of the program in December 2009; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Virginia National Guard and its dedicated soldiers, airmen, and civilian employees for their devotion to duty and many outstanding and valuable contributions to the defense of the United States and the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Major General Robert B. Newman, Jr., Adjutant General of Virginia, on behalf of the patriotic soldiers, airmen, and civilian employees under his command as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude for their dedication to the citizens of the Commonwealth, the nation, and the world.