2004 DAY AT THE CAPITOL The Pennsylvania National Guard's 2004 Day at the Capitol was a resounding success.   The event kicked off early as National Guard equipment, including a new Stryker Vehicle and a Bradley Fighting Vehicle rolled into Soldiers and Sailors Grove.  Displays were mounted in the East Wing Rotunda from each of the major units in the Guard, as well as Scotland School and our veterans programs.  Guard members visited the offices of members of the General Assembly and hundreds toured the Guard displays and equipment exhibits. At around 1100, Brigadier General Jerry Beck, Deputy Commanding General for Maneuver of the 28th Infantry Division, kicked off the event by welcoming dignitaries and describing its purpose: We have come to our Capitol in Harrisburg for two important reasons: First, in a united salute to our National Guard members, their families and their employers. Second, the Guard wants to thank Governor Rendell and the members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly for their outstanding support during difficult times. Our theme for this year’s program is Pennsylvania National Guard, First in America. The Pennsylvania Army and Air National Guard have a number of firsts that we, as a commonwealth, can all be proud of. First in Troop Strength – Pennsylvania’s National Guard (Army and Air) is the largest in America. First in Deployments - In recent years, Pennsylvania Army and Air National Guard units have been the most deployed in America. First Stryker Brigade - Pennsylvania’s 56th Infantry Brigade (28th Infantry Division Mechanized) has been selected to transform into a Stryker Brigade Combat Team, the first, and only Stryker Brigade in the Reserve Components. First in Community Presence - With armories and air bases in 52 counties, encompassing 90 communities, the Pennsylvania National Guard blankets the commonwealth. The Pennsylvania National Guard is the largest military employer in Pennsylvania and the sixth largest employer overall. The Guard’s economic impact is more than $400 million per year. First in Leadership - Pennsylvania’s 50th Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Jessica L. Wright, is the first female Army National Guard general officer appointed as a state adjutant general by a governor. First Army Division - The 28th Infantry Division (Mechanized), organized March 12, 1879, is the oldest continuous service division in the Armed Forces of the United States. First in Environmental Programs - The Pennsylvania National Guard’s environmental stewardship programs have been recognized as first in America, winning the 2004 National Guard Bureau’s Environmental Stewardship Award. First in Family Programs - The 111th Fighter Wing’s family support program won national recognition as the best program of its kind in America. General Beck then introduced the combo from the Air National Guard Band of the Mid-Atlantic (553rd ANG Band, Middletown) to play a patriotic medley.  He then introduced Pennsylvania's 50th Adjutant General, Major General Jessica L. Wright, who thanked all those and attendance and introduced the Guard's Commander-in-Chief, Governor Edward Rendell. Ruffles and flourishes were sounded as Governor Rendell  took the podium.  The Governor praised the Guard for its accomplishments while remembering the sacrifices of Guard soldiers in Iraq where three have lost their lives in combat. After his remarks, Governor Rendell presented the Bronze Star to Chief Master Sgt. Sam Varnicle from the 193rd Special Operations Wing for meritorious achievement while in action against the enemy at Baghdad International Airport. In less than 10 days, Chief Varnicle, set up an entire fueling infrastructure and captured Iraqi ground fuel and used it for coalition aircraft. Next Governor Rendell presented the highest state award -- the Cross of Valor -- to Staff Sgt. Scott Sheroky.  Sgt. Sheroky after recently returning from combat tour in Afghanistan rescued Allen Schwartz from drowning after his boat capsized in Marquette Lake, Fort Indiantown Gap. Sheroky without regard for his personal safety swam to the aid of the unconscious Schwartz, placed him back in his boat, dove to the bottom of the lake to retrieve the anchor and pushed the boat back to shore with the aid of another fisherman. The Governor next presented Purple Hearts to Sgt. George W. Stratton and Spc. David J. Petersen.  They were moving supplies in southern Iraq with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 131st Transportation Company when an Improvised Explosive Device detonated near their vehicle. The IED significantly damaged the truck and injured both Peterson and Stratton. These individuals represent the first Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers wounded in action since World War II. The Governor next recognized members from the 193rd Special Operation Wing’s medical squadron who are affectionately known as the "Kirkuk Seven": Maj. LaDawn Straub, Maj. Julie Carpenter, Master Sgt. Belinda Defoor, Master Sgt. Crystale Matthews, Staff Sgt. Terri Hall, Staff Sgt. Beth Shapiro and Senior Airman Georgia Powell. These nurses provided critical care to Iraqi citizens involved in a vehicle accident. The patients were so grateful for the treatment received that their families provided coalition forces with information about Saddam Hussein’s hiding places. By treating these injured Iraqis with the highest standards of care the 193rd nurses aided indirectly in capturing the Ace of Spades. Next, Governor Rendell recognized airmen of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and soldiers of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard who had deployed overseas over the past two years.  "Defender of Freedom" pins were presented to soldiers and airmen from several units to represent the thousands of Pennsylvania Guard members who have deployed.  Recognizing that the support of families and employers are critical to the success of the Guard, Governor Rendell next recognized several Guard families of those who have deployed overseas.  Again these families represented all the families who have provided outstanding support to their deployed soldiers and airmen and who have, often at considerable sacrifice, kept their families going while members deployed overseas.  Governor Rendell also recognized several employers who have gone above and beyond the dictates of the law to provide support for deploying Guard members.  Special recognition was given to: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania The City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Federal Express York International Hershey Foods These employers represented the hundreds of employers across Pennsylvania who proudly support our Guard and Reserve. Colonel Andy Ryder, president of the Pennsylvania National Guard Associations, presented Governor Rendell with the first edition of the new PNGAS Poster depicting the Pennsylvania National Guard -- First in America.  Colonel Ryder praised the photographers whose pictures from at home and abroad depict the way the Guard serves today and he thanked graphic artist, Ted Walke, for creating this outstanding poster from these photographs.  Colonel Ryder also presented Governor Rendell with PNGAS Membership Card #1 as Commander-in-Chief of the Pennsylvania National Guard. Finally, Mr. Phillip Potter of the Employers Support for the Guard and Reserve presented Governor Rendell a plaque in recognition of the outstanding support provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as employer. After the ceremony in the Main Rotunda, PNGAS sponsored a picnic in Soldiers and Sailors Grove.  Among the many distinguished guests at the picnic was Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll.  All Photographs by Joe Ketterer, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.   PNGAS State Legislative Priorities