Newsletter: Celebrating the National Guard
Press Release
Dear Friends,
For generations, members of the National Guard have stepped forward to serve their neighbors, community, and country. Since its creation by the Massachusetts General Court in December 1636, these patriots have fought for our liberty and way of life. Throughout its history, the Guard's citizen-soldiers have protected our nation and defended our democratic values both at home and abroad. Over the years, the Guard has undergone significant transformations, but its mission and ideals remain the same. In every corner of America, these citizen-soldiers are close by, ready to serve.
As civilians, they work as teachers, students, doctors, nurses, shift workers and small business owners helping to better our nation every day. However, they also play an essential military role. They often serve as responders and as an important line of defense after emergencies and disasters in local communities and around the world. An excellent example of the Florida National Guard's service is its dedication to helping our state after devastating hurricanes. But the service of these great men and women goes beyond responding to emergencies. Over 100,000 Guardsmen and Guardswomen have served tours of combat defending our freedom and ideals in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Even if they are not directly in the line of fire, they do much of the ground work at local military bases everyday which is essential in ensuring that military operations and bases can continue their work.
For hundreds of years, our nation's citizen-soldiers have sacrificed, struggled and triumphed. They are our next door neighbors, our colleagues, and our friends. But their service goes beyond one weekend a month, their work and sacrifice makes Guardsmen and Guardswomen essential in our national defense every day. On its anniversary this December 13th, I want to thank all members of the National Guard for, as their motto states, being always ready and always there for America.
Sincerely,
Source