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

HONORING THE NATIONAL GUARD'S SERVICE IN WINNING THE WAR ON TERROR -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 15, 2004)

SPEECH OF 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.

END