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| Wilson Highlights Proud History of National Guard |
September 16, 2006 |
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| Congresswoman Thanks Citizen Soldiers for Their Service
Albuquerque – Speaking today at the National Guard Conference, Congresswoman Heather Wilson welcomed the Guardsmen to New Mexico and thanked them for their service.
“You are indispensable to our national security,” Wilson said. “The citizen soldier is a proud American tradition that dates back to Bunker Hill and even before. In America, our part-time soldiers are 100 percent professionals.”
Since September 11, 2001, more than 350,000 Guardsmen have been deployed, either securing the U.S. or in operations overseas. They`ve helped secure airports and responded in times of natural disasters.
National Guardsmen from throughout the nation gathered this weekend for their 128th General Conference in New Mexico - where one in ten New Mexicans is a veteran.
New Mexico shares the distinguished tradition of the National Guard. There are currently 406 Army National Guardsmen mobilized from New Mexico. National Guard history includes a New Mexico unit that defended Bataan in World War II.
“Guardsmen are from every walk of life, and your service will shape your lives,” Wilson said. “You shoulder tremendous responsibilities with courage, character and compassion.”
Wilson is a former Air Force officer. She is married to Colonel Jay Hone, who served in the NM Air National Guard and now serves in the Air Force Reserve.
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