Also Awarded Florida Veterans with the Veterans Service Medal
Governor Rick Scott today proclaimed March 21, 2017 as National Guard Day in Florida. He also awarded more than 50 Florida veterans with the Governor’s Veterans Service Medal during Florida National Guard Day at the State Capitol. To view the proclamation, see below or click HERE.
Governor Rick Scott said, “I am proud to dedicate today to the brave members of Florida’s National Guard. These men and women stand ready to serve our country and respond to the needs of our communities during natural disasters and emergencies. The State of Florida is forever grateful to these heroes and their families who make countless sacrifices in defense of our freedom.”
FLORIDA NATIONAL GUARD DAY
WHEREAS, as the military arm of the Governor and the people of the State of Florida in times of crisis or emergency, the Florida National Guard stands ready to immediately respond to a call from the Governor; and
WHEREAS, the Florida National Guard traces its lineage back 450 years to 1565 when the first muster of a civilian militia took place in St. Augustine, making Florida’s Militia the oldest in the nation; and
WHEREAS, today’s Florida National Guard stands strong with approximately 12,000 highly trained and skilled men and women who serve as Soldiers and Airmen in today’s modern Guard; and
WHEREAS, the men and women of the Florida National Guard and their families willingly make sacrifices during times of hurricanes, fires, floods, and other natural disasters, serving domestically and around the world in contingency operations; and
WHEREAS, more than 20,000 men and women of the Florida National Guard have answered the call to federal active duty, without reservation, following the attack on our nation September 11, 2001, and have served with distinction and honor during Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, and continue to serve in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Inherent Resolve, and Operation Observant Compass, which continue to take these dedicated Guardsmen far from their families and friends while they ensure we are safe at home; and
WHEREAS, the employers of our Guardsmen and their families have made significant sacrifices to conduct their businesses during the absence of our Guardsmen, while still providing jobs for the members of the Guard when they return home; and
WHEREAS, the men and women of the Florida National Guard remain involved in hundreds of community service projects across our state each day and contribute to local programs that add value to our nation and our state;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Rick Scott, Governor of the State of Florida, do hereby extend greetings and best wishes to all observing March 21, 2017, as Florida National Guard Day and call on all Floridians to honor the significant contributions and consistent readiness of the Florida National Guard and to gratefully acknowledge the faithful service of its dedicated soldiers and airmen.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed at Tallahassee, the Capital, this 15th day of March, in the year two thousand seventeen.
