HERITAGE

The National Guard has a proud heritage developed over 360 years of service to our country. Early in the history of our nation our founding Leaders developed the concept of the “Citizen Soldier” and since our nation’s beginning the Guard’s Citizen Soldiers have helped write the history of this nation.

From the first shots fired for our nation’s independence at Lexington and Concord, the citizen soldier was instrumental in helping secure the blessings of liberty and freedom for a new nation. This freedom was defended in the War of 1812 and again in the Civil War when the nation needed its citizens to go forward into battle in the defense of liberty and freedom for all. Called upon again and again, the National Guard has fought for freedom in places named Chateau Thierry, Normandy, Okinawa and Vietnam. Now our Citizen Soldiers of the National Guard are serving to secure the blessing of freedom for the citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Fighting for freedom and liberty has forged a historical heritage of service for the National Guard but serving our communities has also brought fame and thanks to the Guard. Protecting homes and communities from ravaging floods, horrendous fires and other tragedies of weather have all gained for the Guard a reputation of service to their communities and the nation.

That heritage of service is made all the more historic as the National Guard is proud to number 19 of our presidents who have served as Citizen Soldiers. Presidents Washington, Lincoln, Truman and most recently George W. Bush are just some of our Great Presidents who each saw it as their duty, as citizens of this great nation, to offer that nation their service. Like them and in honor of their service, our National Guard soldiers continue to serve, proud and selfless, throughout the world.