Governor's Newsletter

Governor's Newsletter

Operation Salute Pays Tribute to Thousands of PA Heroes, Recognizes the Sacrifice of Their Families
Photo 9/8/2006 - For the past five years, since Sept. 11, 2001, members of Pennsylvania's National Guard have been serving around the world as part of the global war on terrorism. Sadly, 34 guardsmen and women have died while serving their state and country at various locations, and 287 have been wounded.

In addition, in the past year, many guard members assisted in Louisiana and Mississippi in response to Hurricane Katrina, and a number of them have been called from their families to patrol along our southwest border. More recently, more than 1,000 men and women responded to flooding at home in eastern Pennsylvania.

Members of Pennsylvania's National Guard have served in places such as Kosovo, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Spain, Italy and Germany. Whether fighting or serving humanitarian needs in the U.S., they answer the call of duty. All of the locations are far from home; all are equally far away from families.

That's why we are holding Operation Salute this Sunday, a one-day celebration and commemoration to recognize these brave men and women who have so selflessly served their state and country. We also are paying tribute to their families who, along with them, sacrifice so much.

Guard members, who are attending as part of their service, will travel from nearly 100 locations around the state and converge on the Bryce Jordan Center at the Pennsylvania State University. We expect 20,000 people to attend Operation Salute, which will include an estimated 7,000 family members of our soldiers and airmen.

As part of the program, hosted by Adjutant General Jessica Wright, a variety of military equipment will be on display for everyone to see. And for guard members and their families there will be food and entertainment funded in large part by the generosity of over 40 local and national sponsors as well as support from the Pennsylvania National Guard Foundation and the Department of Community and Economic Development.

For 259 years, the Pennsylvania National Guard has been part of the fabric of our commonwealth. With armories and air bases in 90 communities - in 52 counties - their presence blankets the state. Throughout our history its members have answered the call to duty with courage and conviction.

While Sept. 11 changed the world forever, it also heightened our reliance on our citizen soldiers and guard units throughout the country to protect and defend us. Since that day five years ago, more than 16,000 soldiers and airmen have been deployed in support of the global war on terror, guarding our airports, power plants and serving overseas. What ever the crisis, we have called on them time and time again and they have never let us down.

Operation Salute is our opportunity to thank and honor all of these heroes. While we mark the occasion with joy, we also temper it with sadness as we recognize those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. This is our chance to show the members of the Pennsylvania National Guard how important they are in the lives of all of the citizens of this commonwealth.

Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sincerely,
Edward G. Rendell

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