375th Anniversary of the National Guard

Floor Speech

Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Today I rise to commemorate the 375th anniversary of the National Guard. As ceremonies are held across the country to celebrate this historic milestone, I wanted to pay tribute to our National Guard for the enormous contributions it has made to our country throughout the course of its proud history. The origin of the National Guard traces its roots back to the militias of the 13 original English colonies. The oldest units were organized on December 13, 1636, in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

As the motto of the National Guard so aptly puts it, the force is ``Always Ready, Always There.'' Our Constitution bestows on the National Guard dual State and Federal missions. Whether aiding State law enforcement, responding to a national emergency or catastrophic natural disaster, or serving alongside our Active-Duty Forces overseas, the National Guard has always been and continues to be a force on which we can depend, in wartime and in peacetime.

Rhode Island has a distinguished record of National Guard service, which began in 1638 when the first colonial defensive force was established in Portsmouth, RI. The militia, which was known as the Traine Band, was formed to provide protection and security for the people. The group eventually evolved into the Rhode Island National Guard.

It was the Rhode Island militia that first engaged in offensive action against England during the lead up to the Revolutionary War. On July 19, 1769, members of the Rhode Island militia sunk the British schooner HMS Liberty in Newport. A few years later, on the night of June 10, 1772, Rhode Island volunteers organized under Captain Abraham Whipple, seized and burned the HMS Gaspee in Narragansett Bay. Then, on April 22, 1775, in response to shots fired at Lexington, MA, the Rhode Island General Assembly mobilized a 1,500-man ``Army of Observation'' to serve under the command of BG Nathaniel Greene. This force was sent to Boston to support the Continental Army in its fight for American independence. By the end of the Revolutionary War, more than 22 Rhode Island militia units had contributed to our country's glorious cause.

During the Civil War, more than 23,000 Rhode Island militiamen deployed in support of Union forces, and 16 soldiers received Medals of Honor. During the First World War, more than 3,800 members of the Rhode Island National Guard served in combat as part of the 26th ``Yankee'' Division. Furthermore, over 3,000 Rhode Island National Guard members were deployed to both the European and Pacific theaters to support operations in the Second World War. Rhode Island National Guard units also supported operations during the Korean and Vietnam wars, as well as Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

The Rhode Island National Guard has been particularly active meeting the operational demands of the post-9/11 era. Rhode Island has the second highest per capita National Guard deployment rate of all the States. It has fulfilled over 5,600 deployment requests, and many of its 3,200 members have deployed multiple times. In addition, the Rhode Island National Guard remains an indispensable asset in protecting the lives and property of Rhode Island citizens. The Guard played an instrumental role in 2010 responding to the historic floods in our State, from which we are still recovering. Today, the diverse mission of the Rhode Island National Guard is directed by MG Kevin R. McBride, adjutant general of the State of Rhode Island.

Since September 11, the National Guard has been deployed at unprecedented levels, with over 650,000 soldiers and airmen mobilized in support of American operations overseas. In addition, thousands of National Guard members have responded to the litany of major disasters that devastated several areas of the country in the recent years. I applaud the National Guard for its vital work in protecting our country at home and abroad and commend its 375 years of dedicated service.

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