[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 75 (Monday, June 10, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1006-E1007]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE PENNSYLVANIA NATIONAL GUARD 
                   FOR EXTRAORDINARY WARTIME SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GEORGE W. GEKAS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 10, 2002

  Mr. GEKAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce a measure honoring the 
citizen-soldiers of Pennsylvania. The soldiers and airmen of the 
Pennsylvania Army and Air National Guard serve all America today in the 
cause of freedom, and they do so in record numbers. These brave men and 
women represent the best of our Commonwealth. They valiantly carry on 
the proud Pennsylvania tradition of service to state and country in 
peace and in war, a tradition born when Benjamin Franklin created the 
first Pennsylvania militia in 1747.
  From the American Revolution to the present day, Pennsylvania 
militiamen and Guardsmen have been in the vanguard of the fight for 
American security and liberty. In peacetime our Guard has been relied 
upon to help combat floods, blizzards, narcotics and civil crises. In 
wartime, these civilians have accepted the role of armed defenders of 
liberty. Their deeds in war have been as glorious as their triumphs in 
peace. Tens of thousands of Pennsylvania militiamen fought with 
Washington for American Independence. Over 200 regiments fought in 24 
campaigns of the Civil War. An entire division of Pennsylvania 
Guardsmen fought in the Spanish American War. Almost 14,000 
Pennsylvania Guardsmen were wounded in World War 1. In World War II, 
that same division of Pennsylvanians fought through Normandy, helped to 
liberate Paris, engaged the ``West Wall'' of Germany and fought 
fiercely in the Battle of the Bulge, losing 2,000 men. These same 
Pennsylvanians became the first unit to cross into Germany, presaging a 
successful end to that terrible war. Pennsylvania Guarsdmen also have 
served just as bravely in every military operation since World War II 
from Korea to Desert Storm.
  Today, thousands of Pennsylvania Guardsmen prepare to deploy to 
Europe while thousands more rotate in and out of central Asia to defeat 
the forces of terror. Not since the Korean War has our Commonwealth 
parted with so many soldiers and airmen at one time. Pennsylvania 
families in over a hundred communities wait for their Guardsmen to 
return home safely to them, realizing that these heroes are prepared to 
make the ultimate sacrifice for our safety and, our liberty.
  Mr. Speaker, prior to September 11, 2001, Pennsylvania's Army 
National Guard merited recognition as the largest Army Guard in the 
Nation and the home of the oldest division in the U.S. Army, the 28th 
Infantry Division. The 28th infantry was formed in 1879 and fought with 
such force and determination in the First World War, General Pershing 
dubbed these Keystone Guardsmen the ``Iron Division.'' Their heroism 
and sacrifice at the Bulge earned them the appellation, the ``Bloody 
Bucket'' division, in World War II, a symbolic reference to the red 
keystone patch worn on their uniform and the horrendous casualties 
suffered in the forests of the Ardennes. Similarly, the Pennsylvania 
Air Guard ranked as the fourth largest in this country and was home to 
three superior air wings, the 171st Refueling Wing of Pittsburgh, the 
111th Fighter Wing of Philadelphia, and the one-of-a-kind psychological 
warfare unit--the 193rd Special Operations Wing of Harrisburg--the most 
deployed U.S. Air Force or Air Guard unit.
  Since the heinous and despicable attacks of 9/11, the men and women 
of the Pennsylvania National Guard have earned new recognition and 
respect as they serve throughout the country and the world in record 
numbers not seen since the Korean War. For these brave women and men 
are serving gallantly in Afghanistan and central Asia in the War 
Against Terror. They are serving nobly in the Balkans, ensuring peace 
and stability in Europe. They are serving heroically in the Middle 
East, enforcing the No-Fly Zone over Iraq, preventing future assaults 
by Saddam Hussein against his neighbors. And, they are serving laudably 
on the Northern border of the United States, in New York, and 
throughout Pennsylvania protecting our airports and nuclear power 
plants.
  But this country has not finished asking of the men and women of the 
Pennsylvania National Guard. Our National Military Command has ordered 
the 28th Infantry Division of the Pennsylvania Army Guard to assume the 
lead role in SFOR operations this fall. Over one thousand soldiers of 
the 28th Infantry Division will mobilize, train and deploy for six 
months in the effort to secure peace in the Balkans. Despite this 
massive deployment, the National Military Command has ordered an even 
larger deployment of Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen. Beginning this fall, 
two thousand soldiers

[[Page E1007]]

of the Pennsylvania Army Guard will deploy to Germany, Italy, Belgium, 
Luxembourg and the Netherlands to provide additional security for 
American military bases in those countries. The Keystone Taskforce will 
be stationed in Europe for six months and mobilize and train in the 
United States this summer. Already nearly a hundred engineers from the 
201st Civil Engineering Flight Air Guard unit--a.k.a. Red Horse--has 
made its way to central Asia to build and repair runways, continuing 
the fight against Al Qaeda. And, all of this follows immediately upon 
the return of nearly 900 Pennsylvania Air Guardsmen of the 193rd 
Special Operations Wing who have been flying Commando Solo PSYOPS 
missions over Afghanistan consistently since October of last year as an 
essential part of Operation Enduring Freedom/Noble Eagle.
  Mr. Speaker, I cannot mention every unit or every Guardsman who has 
contributed during this time of War in our struggle to preserve 
America's democratic way of life. Each and every soldier and airman of 
the Pennsylvania National Guard has contributed in some way. Simply by 
enlisting or seeking a commission they have made themselves ready to 
defend this great Nation in our time of need, and have earned our 
thanks. Yet, so many have been called upon since September 11th to 
serve at home and abroad, and so many more will be deploying in the 
future. Each and every one of our Guardsmen has made Pennsylvania 
proud, and those who will deploy overseas this fall will continue to 
bring honor to themselves, our Guard and our Commonwealth. For this 
they deserve the commendation of a proud and thankful Congress of the 
United States.
  Credit must go first to the soldiers and airmen themselves who have 
taken on this responsibility with patriotism and courage. We must also 
thank the leadership of Pennsylvania's Guard units for training our men 
and women to serve in peace and war, providing them with the skills 
they need to defend our freedom here at home and abroad. They may be 
citizen-soldiers, but they are indubitably professionals thanks to the 
leadership of our Pennsylvania Guard. Those in Congress who commend our 
Guardsmen today will ensure that they receive the resource they need to 
fight and win wars. Moreover, we resolve to work even more closely with 
the leadership of the Pennsylvania National Guard to make sure our men 
and women are properly supported.
  I would like to thank our Adjutant General, Major General William 
Lynch, a veteran fighter pilot and an exemplary leader. His stewardship 
of our Guard has brought credit to our Commonwealth and pride to our 
units. The Pennsylvania Guard stands ready to continue serving wherever 
and whenever called upon, under his command. My congratulations to 
Deputy Adjutant Generals James Skiff and Jessica Wright for ably 
leading our Air Guard and Army Guard through this demanding wartime 
period. I am confident that our forces remain in more than capable 
hands with Generals Skiff and Wright at the helm.
  To our Army Guard unit commanders, Major General Walter Pudlowksi of 
the 28th Infantry Division, and his deputies Brigadier Generals John 
von Trott and Wesley Craig, I give my thanks. As they prepare to lead 
over three thousand Pennsylvanians into Europe to defend American 
interests abroad, they should know that this Congress supports them and 
places trust in their leadership.
  To Brigadier General Steve Speer of the 193rd S.O.W. my gratitude for 
a job well done in leading 900 officers and enlisted Air Guardsmen in 
Operation Enduring Freedom. You are in desperate need of new equipment 
to replace the forty year old aircraft that you fly today. Yet you 
still fly critical missions around the globe and fly more frequently 
than any other unit in the United States. We will take care of you, and 
we will supply you with the equipment you need. We thank you for your 
leadership in our War Against Terror.
  Let me extend my thanks also to Brigadier General William Boardley 
and Colonel Steve Sischo, commanders of the 171st and 111th Wings. Both 
have led their men and women admirably in Operation Southern Watch and 
Operation Enduring Freedom totaling over a thousand sorties for both 
wings combined in these wartime missions. Under your leadership our men 
and women have performed outstandingly under tough conditions.
  The Pennsylvania Guard carries on its proud tradition and lives up to 
its motto: ``Civilian in peace. Soldier in war.'' We are proud of each 
and every one of the 22,000 Guardsmen in uniform today. This Nation 
owes a debt of gratitude to all of them, and to their families. For us 
they sacrifice their precious time in peace and potentially so much 
more in war. I beseech my fellow Members of Congress to resoundingly 
express their gratitude today for the men and women of the Pennsylvania 
National Guard. Pass this resolution and send it to the Senate, so that 
those who serve will know that we honor them always.

                          ____________________