[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 117 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S9622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VERMONT AIR NATIONAL GUARD

 Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, on July 1, 1946, 27 World War II 
veterans formed the nucleus of a new military unit, and the Vermont Air 
National Guard was born. Today, when the 158th Fighter Wing pilots 
strap into the technological marvel that is the F-16, the Revolutionary 
War soldier painted on the tail stands as a stark reminder to us all: 
There is a direct lineage between the militia tradition that our Nation 
was founded on and which is very much alive today here in Vermont.
  The original Green Mountain Boys were mostly farmers who left their 
homes in the 1700's to defend against encroaching New Yorkers and then 
fought enthusiastically against the British in the Revolutionary War. 
The Vermonters wore homespun civilian clothes, often with only a sprig 
of evergreen in their caps to identify each other in the field.
  But the Green Mountain Boys were citizen soldiers, and throughout 
most of our history the American people have relied on the militia to 
defend them. It has only been in the recent past that we have created a 
large peacetime standing army. Now with the former Soviet Union gone, 
we are seeing a renewed emphasis on National Guard and Reserve forces 
as the Nation's premier insurance against worldwide aggression.
  When I go to Vermont in the coming weeks, I will be giving the 
Vermont Air National Guard a token of my appreciation for the 
tremendous service that they have shown over the last 50 years. The 
list of aircraft that have been flown by the Vermont Air Guard reads 
like a who's who of American air power--the P-47 Thunderbolt, the P-51 
Mustang, the F-94 Starfighter, F-89 Scorpion, the F-102 Delta Dagger, 
the EB-57, the F-4 Phantom, and now the F-16 Falcon. Those who have 
served in Vermont have different memories depending on the aircraft and 
people of the time, but the sense of duty has remained constant over 
the years.
  Having said that, Randy Green, one of America's most renowned 
aviation artists, has painted a very special picture that perfectly 
captures the spirit of the Vermont Air Guard. Entitled, ``Vermont 
Thunder'' it is a depiction of a Vermont F-16 flying into a stormy 
sunset. To me it represents the great contrasts of flying military 
aircraft; the beauty of flight is tempered by the responsibility and 
danger of military service. It is my sincere hope that this painting 
will serve as a small reminder to future Air Guard members of our 
State's proud past.
  As the ultimate reminder of that past, it is fitting that we remember 
here on the floor of the U.S. Senate the memories of those who paid the 
ultimate sacrifice for their service. The following is a list of 
Vermont Air National Guardsmen who have died in the line of duty since 
1946:
  Lieutenant Thomas A. Mundy, Major Carroll A. Phylblo, Lieutenant John 
Williamson, Lieutenant Francis W. Escott, Colonel Robert P. Goyette, 
Lieutenant Jeffrey B. Pollock, Major John J. Ulrich, Captain John A. 
Harrell, Captain Bertrand R. White, Jr., Captain Charles W. Diggle III, 
Captain Robert W. Noble, Lieutenant Stephen L.C. Taylor.

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