[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 3 (Thursday, January 8, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S187-S188]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         MONTANA NATIONAL GUARD

  Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, as we begin this new year and this new 
Congress, I would like to ask the Senate to stop and reflect on the 
service of the men and women of our military. Every day, hundreds of 
thousands of men and women in all branches of our military are 
performing jobs that place them in harm's way and at the tip of the 
spear.
  In particular, I would like to thank the 229 men and women of the 
Montana National Guard who have deployed or will be deploying this 
month.
  Just in the past week, 46 airmen from the Montana Air National Guard 
security forces left the sub-zero temperatures in Montana for training 
at Fort Bliss, TX. From there, they will head to Kyrgyzstan.
  Another 120 soldiers of the Montana National Guard's 639th 
Quartermaster Battalion left Helena for Fort Lewis, WA before they 
leave for Iraq.
  And later this month, 63 soldiers from our 189th Aviation Battalion 
will go to Fort Sill to prepare for a tour in Iraq.
  We feel a great deal of pride when sending our strongest and most 
dedicated Montanans overseas. We feel a great deal of hope too.
  Leaving Montana to answer the call of duty isn't just another 
assignment. It is a symbol of commitment and courage. We will always 
appreciate their service, their hard work, and their willingness to 
protect Montana and America.
  They say Montana is just a small town with a lot of long streets, and 
that means that when 229 guardsmen deploy overseas, it impacts a great 
deal of the State.
  Businesses lose talented members of their workforce. Cities and towns 
lose cops, firefighters, doctors and other professionals in the 
community.
  And most important of all, families have an empty seat at the dinner 
table. Family schedules get changed. Mothers and fathers become single 
parents for a little while.
  Americans will never forget the sacrifices National Guard families 
make at home.

[[Page S188]]

  Sharla and I join all Montanans in sending our thoughts and prayers 
to these men and women as they complete their mission.
  As Montana's only member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, I look 
forward to working to serve them as honored veterans when they all come 
home.
  I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Durbin). The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

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