[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 18 (Monday, February 1, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL GUARD

  Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, as you know, as you walk around the 
Capitol these last couple of weeks, you have to notice the changes. 
Quiet views of the Capitol, the seat of our government, are obstructed 
by fences topped with barbed wire and servicemembers on patrol at every 
corner, every entrance, and every gateway. These servicemembers, men 
and women of our National Guard, are our neighbors. They are our 
coworkers. They are members of our family. They are called away from 
home, many of which volunteered to come here to the Nation's Capitol to 
protect the very heart of democracy. They deserve our thanks. They 
deserve our gratitude. They deserve our unwavering support.
  With over 25,000 members of the Guard from every State, territory, 
and District of Columbia present in Washington to protect our time-
honored traditions, there is no greater representation of the best of 
America here as we carry out the people's business. I am grateful to 
them for their service.
  Now, 2 weeks ago, I had the pleasure of visiting and thanking some 
members of Vermont's own National Guard--Lieutenant Colonel Day, along 
with Captain Lahr, and First Sergeant Stewart from Bravo Troop of 
Vermont's renowned Mountain Calvary Battalion. They welcomed me and 
introduced me to a contingent of the Vermonters present.
  Now, through their deployment, they are asked to face challenges at a 
moment's notice. They use the training and the teamwork that has always 
helped them succeed in Vermont and overseas. They met those challenges, 
and they exceeded those challenges.
  Like all National Guard units when they deploy, these Vermonters came 
to the District with deep ties back to our communities and the families 
and employers that make their service possible.
  I am privileged to be the cochair of the Senate National Guard 
Caucus. I have heard, time and again, firsthand testimony from members 
of the Guard that that hometown connection is the glue that makes what 
they do possible. We are grateful to their families, their communities, 
and their employers too. But that can be said about every Senator here, 
including our distinguished Presiding Officer.
  The Vermont Guard members I talked to carried with them the support 
of Vermont communities, especially from Southern Vermont, where Bravo 
Troop's armory is located. To give you an idea of how they are part of 
the community, the deployment was led by the vice principal of 
Brattleboro Union High School. It included the cousin of one of my 
staffers. It was filled with soldiers with connections and stories that 
make up the culture and community I proudly call home--Vermont. A 
similar story could be told about the communities represented in the 
units from every State and territory. I am especially grateful because 
most of the soldiers from Vermont are going to deploy overseas later 
this year. Everyone that came down this January volunteered to be here.
  So much has been asked of the National Guard these last 3 months, 
from the COVID-19 response to several disturbances this summer, to 
safeguarding the Nation's Capitol--all of it on top of regular training 
and deployment schedules.
  To the men and women of the National Guard from every State and 
territory and the District of Columbia, we appreciate the immense 
contributions you have made to our country today and every day. You are 
real patriots. You are real heroes, and democracy thanks you.

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