[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 112 (Friday, August 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1515-E1516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          GUAM NATIONAL GUARD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2001

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, on July 21, 1981, thirty-two residents of 
Guam were sworn in as members of the Guam National Guard giving birth 
to the nation's newest and westernmost National Guard unit. As the Guam 
National Guard celebrates its 20th anniversary, we celebrate it's 
accomplishments and recognize its roots and traditions as part of the 
oldest component of the Armed Forces and one of the longest enduring 
American institutions.
  The National Guard has a distinct and honored place in American 
history. Tracing its roots to the formation of the Militia of the 
Massachusetts Bay Colony in October 7, 1636, its men and women have 
served in every conflict involving the United States. On Guam, citizen 
soldiers date back to the first military organization on island first 
organized in 1771 by the Spanish colonial governor. Within the next two 
hundred years a number of succeeding militias were organized and later 
disbanded.
  However, it is of note that, prior to the Japanese occupation of Guam 
during World War II, the defense of the island fell upon the shoulders 
of a handful of Marines, several sailors, the Guam ancillary guard and 
Guam militia which consisted of civilian reserve forces. The insular 
force, a locally-manned militia, were the ones who faced the Japanese 
invasion force. Although easily overwhelmed, it is ironic that the only 
ones who put up a defense against the invaders were citizen soldiers--
members of the Guam insular guard who had set up some machine gun nests 
in defense of the Plaza de Espana and at the Governor's offices.
  On December 4, 1980, President Jimmy Carter signed into law P.L. 96-
600, officially authorizing the establishment of the Guam National 
Guard. Deriving honor and traditions from the citizen soldiers who came 
before them, the thirty-two charter members of the Guam National Guard 
together have made possible the development of the world-class 
organization for which we now take pride.
  Under the leadership of Generals Robert Neitz, Frank Torres, Simon 
Krevitzky, Edward Perez, Edward Duenas, Colonels Ramon Sudo and Robert 
Cockey and the current adjutant general, Benny Paulino, the Guam 
National Guard has been able to develop as a world class organization. 
Comprised of the Guam Army National Guard and the Guam Air National 
Guard, this institution has now grown to over 1,000 members performing 
missions for the federal and territorial governments. In

[[Page E1516]]

addition to periodic deployments in support of military activities all 
over the world, the Guam National Guard has been instrumental in 
recovery efforts on island in the aftermath of emergencies and natural 
disasters. They have also made tremendous contributions towards 
mentoring and the development of the island's youth and they have also 
assisted the local community in its campaign against illegal drugs.
  On this, their 20th anniversary, I would like to commend the men and 
women of the Guam National Guard for their contributions towards the 
security of our nation and the well being of our island. I would also 
like to submit for the Record the names of the Guam National Guard's 32 
charter members who, twenty years ago continued the traditions of their 
forebears and paved the way for today's men and women on the Guam 
National Guard.

                  Guam National Guard Charter Members


                           Air National Guard

       Brig. Gen. Robert H. Neitz; TSgt George R. Quichocho; SSgt 
     Raymond L. Taimanglo; SrA Juan G. San Nicolas; SrA Alfred 
     Flores; SrA George C. Pablo; SrA Carlos E. Umayam; A1C 
     Prudencio F. Meno


                          Army National Guard

       CPT Arthur W. Meilicke; 2LT Molly A. Benavente; 2LT Michael 
     G. Martinez; CW2 Charles Guantlett; W01 Charles W. Walters; 
     SSG Roland M. Chargualaf; SSG Benjamin B. Garrido; SSG 
     Ladislao C. Quintanilla; SSG Carlos R. Untalan; SGT Edward R. 
     Blas; SGT Charles F. Moore; SGT Joseph J. Sablan; SGT Thomas 
     R. Wolford; SP4 Dedia T. Kellum; SP4 Raymond C. Benavente; 
     SP4 Ricardo Camacho; SP4 Lorenzo M. Manibusan; SP4 James E. 
     Thurman; PFC Raymond P. Cruz; PFC David G. Rodriguez; PFC 
     Jesse R. Camacho; PV1 Marceline I. Castro; PV1 Marcie T. 
     Paulino; PV1 Jeffrey I. Santos

     

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