[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 53 (Wednesday, March 27, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H2838-H2839]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING 140TH ANNIVERSARY OF 28TH INFANTRY DIVISION OF U.S. ARMY 
                             NATIONAL GUARD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize the 28th Infantry Division of the United States Army National 
Guard as it recently celebrated the anniversary of its 140th year of 
serving this Nation.
  Its roots in American history were planted long before our Nation's 
founding. The 28th Infantry's lineage traces all the way back to when 
Benjamin Franklin formed a militia known as the Pennsylvania 
Associators. The first meeting of the Associators occurred on November 
21, 1747. Franklin organized units to defend the city of Philadelphia 
against the French and Spanish privateers.
  The 28th Infantry Division is the oldest continuously serving 
division in the United States Army. It wasn't until 1879 when the 28th 
ID was officially established by Governor Henry Hoyt and designated a 
red keystone as its symbol.
  Throughout history, the 28th Infantry Division has answered our 
country's call to serve in nearly every war. The 28th ID soldiers 
fought side by side in the Spanish-American War. They earned the 
nickname ``Iron Division'' in the First World War by General John 
Pershing after a chivalrous stand in France. This decorated division 
still goes by this storied nickname.
  The infantrymen stepped ashore at Omaha Beach and were the first 
American division to parade through Paris

[[Page H2839]]

after its liberation. They were also deployed for duty during the 
Korean war. In present day, its operations have continued in places 
like Bosnia, Kosovo, Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
  I had the distinct pleasure of meeting these members of the 28th 
Division last November in Kuwait, joining them in the mess hall for 
Thanksgiving dinner. The division stationed in Kuwait was part of 
Operation Spartan Shield. This operation sought to strengthen U.S. 
partnerships in the Middle East and support ongoing operations to 
defeat ISIS.
  Just a few weeks ago, I got to reunite with the 28th ID in Hershey, 
Pennsylvania, to celebrate the 140th anniversary. The dinner and 
ceremonies were a fitting tribute for a historic part of the United 
States military.
  Madam Speaker, these men and women continue to build upon the Iron 
Division legacy. They are brave, resilient, and well-trained to support 
each other in combat and defend our great Nation.
  So I say to the men and women of the 28th Infantry Division: Roll on, 
28th. Roll on.
  Madam Speaker, I congratulate the 28th Infantry Division for 140 
years of service, sacrifice, and valor.

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