[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 199 (Wednesday, December 21, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9760-S9761]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     
     
                      RECOGNIZING THE VERMONT NATIONAL GUARD
     
       Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, during my time as a Senator, one of the 
     responsibilities I have cherished most is my role in supporting and 
     strengthening our Vermont National Guard. I have worked closely with 
     the Guard throughout my time in the Senate and since 1999 as cochair of 
     the Senate National Guard Caucus. During my tenure, the Vermont 
     National Guard has never let the people of Vermont down, and I have 
     always tried my best not to let them down.
       Tracing all the way back to the New England militias that served in 
     the French and Indian War, groups formed from early settlers in a 
     remote and forested region spanning what is now called Vermont took on 
     the name the Green Mountain Boys. Banded together by the legendary 
     Ethan Allen from a need for local defense, they eventually became an 
     integral component in our Nation's broader national defense strategy. 
     And Vermonters kept answering the call, from 1812, through the Civil 
     War, to our 20th century wars and the overseas deployments since 
     September 11.
       Today, our Guard is a diverse and modernized organization, with the 
     same capabilities as its active component peers. At the beginning of my 
     tenure in the Senate, the National Guard was called ``weekend 
     warriors'' and regularly relegated equipment that was old and discarded 
     from the Active Duty. I worked hard to support efforts that integrated 
     the National Guard and reserves into our Active military forces--often 
     referred to as the Total Force Policy. In partnership with several 
     Presidents and Secretaries of Defense, we have all seen a 
     transformation of how our Nation deploys and calls on our National 
     Guard. That culminated in the passage of the National Guard Empowerment 
     Act that was coauthored by my Guard cochair Lindsey Graham which 
     elevated the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to the Joint Chiefs of 
     Staff.
       Over my years in the Senate, I made it a point to fight for equipment 
     worthy of the contributions to the Nation made by the Vermont Guard, 
     such as ensuring the Army Guard fielded the M1 Abrams tank, and that 
     when it converted to a mountain brigade, that it had gear like modern 
     snowshoes and equipment like the icy terrain navigating SUSV. They have 
     proven time and again the value of the National Guard, earning praise 
     at every level of the Department of Defense.
       For the Air Guard, too, modern equipment in the hands of such 
     talented people has made the difference. It was Vermont Air National 
     Guard pilots who first secured the skies over New York City following 
     the devastating attacks of 9/11, and they flew F-16Cs that at the time 
     were some of the most advanced in the Air Force. When the Air Force 
     decided to do something it had never done before and place the second 
     squadron of the most advanced fighter aircraft in the National Guard 
     before all but one Active-Duty squadron, I made sure they stuck to 
     their word, and Vermont was selected for the F-35A Lightning II. This 
     year, they proved the wisdom of that decision, playing a key role in 
     reassuring our NATO allies who feel threatened by Russia's murderous 
     campaign in Ukraine and its belligerence throughout Eastern Europe.
       In 2011, while reviewing the carnage Hurricane Irene inflicted on 
     Vermont, I saw firsthand the devotion to service woven throughout the 
     ranks of the Vermont Guard. While flying over the State alongside then 
     Adjutant General Michael Dubie, I witnessed rural communities that were 
     completely cut off because of historic flooding. I saw those same 
     villages and hamlets reconnected with transportation and communication 
     networks as a result of the tireless work of Vermont Guard engineers. 
     Hurricane-impacted Vermonters were fed by supplies dropped from Vermont 
     Guard helicopters, assisted and reassured by Guard patrols moving all 
     around the State, and rendered medical aid by Vermont Guard medical 
     personnel.
       While Hurricane Irene stands out in our State's history as our 
     costliest national disaster, it was not our first and it was certainly 
     not the only disaster the Guard helped pull Vermont through. For more 
     than 2 years, the Vermont Guard was activated domestically in response 
     to the COVID-19 pandemic. Soldiers and airmen established medical surge 
     facilities, helped with logistical operations at the Strategic National 
     Stockpile, set up testing sites, and distributed food to out-of-work 
     families. They accomplished their mission related to the pandemic even 
     while also supplying critical units to the National Capital Region to 
     support security operations following the Capitol attack of January 6, 
     2021.
       Not to be forgotten, Vermont's cyber and information operation units 
     work daily to protect our grid or train others in responding to 
     malicious cyber attacks. These experts skillfully and lawfully bridge 
     the divide between civilian government and our military. They provide 
     wisdom and Federal resources to municipal and State government 
     organizations faced with the ever-evolving task of securing information 
     networks and civil infrastructure. And in keeping with Vermont Guard 
     tradition, many of these soldiers and airmen have helped to set the 
     national standard for how the Department can most appropriately assist 
     local governments in achieving their goals related to cybersecurity and 
     event response, as they did when our local hospital system was hacked.
       The soldiers and airmen of the Vermont National Guard distinguish 
     themselves not only in military contexts, but also in their civilian 
     lives,
     
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     where they work in virtually every profession, while often raising 
     children and finding time to serve their communities in volunteer 
     positions, which they do at a higher rate than the general population. 
     The legislative success I have achieved on behalf of the Guard is the 
     result of a partnership with the Vermont National Guard, and I am 
     inspired by their guidance, their feedback, and their absolute devotion 
     to service. I cannot emphasize strongly enough how much their service 
     and sacrifices means to me and all Vermonters. They have inspired me 
     throughout my career, and as I transition into retirement back home in 
     Vermont, I feel reassured knowing our Guard will be there, ready to 
     respond immediately to any danger or challenge, as they always have.
     
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