[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2286]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO MAJOR GENERAL GREGORY L. WAYT

  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. President, today I recognize the distinguished 
military service of MG General Gregory L. Wayt who recently retired 
from military service after nearly four decades of preserving our 
Nation's safety and security.
  A strong leader with an unyielding call to service and duty to State 
and Nation, Major General Wayt embodies the character, discipline, and 
humility that rank him among Ohio's great adjutant generals.
  For more than 6 years as the Adjutant General of Ohio, he commanded 
five brigade-size Army units with more than 11,000 troops and four 
flying wings and seven nonflying units from Ohio's Air Guard with more 
than 5,000 additional troops.
  During some of the Guard's most challenging times, Major General 
Wayt's leadership ensured the preparedness of the more than 18,000 Ohio 
National Guardmembers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan during his 
tenure, as well as those preparing for overseas contingency operations.
  His command also meant Ohio Guardmembers were first on the ground for 
State emergencies and disasters including flood and winter storm relief 
from Toledo to Belmont, and in the relief efforts on the gulf coast 
following hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 and Gustav and Ike in 
2008. The Ohio National Guard also had the first C-130 cargo plane on 
the ground providing critical relief after the Haitian earthquake in 
2010.
  Under his day-to-day management of the Ohio National Guard--from 
ensuring the readiness of Guardmembers and weapon systems to the 
securing fiscal and property resources--Major General Wayt ensured Ohio 
remained at the top of readiness ranks for our country's National 
Guards.
  Maintaining one of the Nation's premier National Guards also required 
Major General Wayt's professionalism to maintain the relationship 
between our military command and civilian leaders. Throughout his 
service as the Adjutant General of Ohio, he was a trusted national 
security advisor for two Governors from both parties. He was a valuable 
resource for all members of the Ohio congressional delegation--always 
just a phone call away to provide his counsel and recommendations.
  As a result of his tireless leadership, Major General Wayt helped 
save two Air National Guard bases in Ohio and the communities that rely 
upon them. The Springfield and Mansfield Air National Guard Bases 
remain critical to our national security and to their local economies 
because of Major General Wayt's fierce loyalty to those he represents 
and leads under his command.
  He also prioritized the retention of talented officers to ensure the 
organization developed qualified servicemembers for senior leadership 
positions. One of the ways Major General Wayt accomplished this was by 
improving the retirement benefits available to Guardmembers.
  Because of his input and that of other Guard leaders, the National 
Guard and Reserve Retirement Parity Act was signed into law by 
President Obama to restore parity in retirement benefits. This bill is 
law because Major General Wayt understood that talented Guardmembers 
should have the resources and benefits deserving of their sacrifice.
  He also understood the importance of international collaboration and 
coordination. He continued the success of the State Partnership Program 
with Hungary and Serbia, which was created to link National Guard 
States and territories with partner countries to foster long-term 
relationships across all levels of society and to establish the 
importance of the rule of law in nations seeking the highest democratic 
values and ideals.
  As a leader of Ohio's citizen-soldiers and citizen-Airmen--war 
fighters, peacekeepers, and guardians of America's ideals of democracy 
and freedom--Major General Wayt received the admiration of his peers as 
President of the Adjutants General Association of the United States.
  Yet regardless of medals earned and awards received, this great son 
of Ohio remained grounded in a classic Midwestern work ethic. From his 
early education in Columbus public schools and Columbus Northland High 
School to formative years at the Ohio State University as an ROTC 
student to the University of Dayton, Army Command and General Staff 
College, and Army War College as a graduate student and senior 
commander--Greg Wayt symbolizes a dedication to service and sacrifice, 
and to State and country that deserves a heartfelt thanks from all 
Ohioans.
  But he would be the first to tell you that any professional 
accomplishment was made possible only by the personal sacrifice of his 
wife Deborah and daughter Lindsey. The sacrifices of military families 
deserve our Nation's highest praise--my deepest thank you to Deborah 
and Lindsey and the Wayt family for sharing their husband, father, and 
patriarch with a grateful State and Nation.
  For all the achievements throughout his career, Major General Wayt 
will always be first and foremost a field commander and remembered by 
his troops as one of their own. Congratulations, MG Gregory L. Wayt for 
35 years of service to your Nation.
  On behalf of a grateful State, I thank you and wish you well upon 
your retirement.

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