PENNSYLVANIA GUARD MEMBERS HONORED DURING OPERATION SALUTE

Story By Sgt. Jo Michaels
Public Affairs Office

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (Sept. 10) -- As the morning fog rose above Happy Valley, nearly 20,000 Pennsylvania National Guard members descended on Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center for Operation Salute, a tribute to Pennsylvania Guard members deployed since September 11, 2001.

Hosted by Pennsylvania Adjutant General Jessica L. Wright, Operation Salute was the single-largest mobilization in the history of the Pennsylvania National Guard.

The daylong celebration honored Guard members who have who have selflessly and courageously fought the Global War on Terror; aided residents of Louisiana and Mississippi in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; and assisted flood victims in eastern Pennsylvania in June. The event also recognized the families of Pennsylvania Guard members for their sacrifices.

Special guests included Governor Edward G. Rendell; Dr. Graham B. Spanier, president of Penn State University; Lt. Gen. Ronald Burgess Jr., the acting principal deputy director of national intelligence; Lt. Gen. Russell L. Honore, commander of the First Army; and Tom Foley, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross.

The festivities began at 10 a.m. with a tailgate party featuring food and drinks donated in large part by local and national corporate sponsors.

“Over $100,000 in food was donated,” said Bernie Punt, director of sales and marketing for the Bryce Jordan Center.

More than 1,100 volunteers, many of them from the greater State College area, served food for the event and helped with security.

“It took just 48 hours to get 1,100 volunteers,” said Punt. “We were turning people away.”
Many of the volunteers said they wanted to participate as a way to personally thank the troops.
When asked why she volunteered, Joan Laukhuff, whose son, Andrew, is an Army veteran, simply said “Why not?”

Volunteers expressed their gratitude by wearing t-shirts with the words “Thank You” on the front and “Serving Those Who Serve Us” on the back.

The formal ceremony inside the Jordan Center began just after 1 p.m. with a performance of the national anthem. It was followed by a presentation of the colors of the major commands.
Gen. Burgess, who represented President George W. Bush, proclaimed it to be a great day to be a soldier.
“Looking deep inside yourselves, you committed your lives to freedom’s frontline by volunteering for the Pennsylvania National Guard in the time-honored tradition of citizen soldiering,” said Burgess. “This tradition reflects the very best of our core values – duty, honor, country.”

Thunderous applause greeted Gen. Wright when she stepped to the podium at the conclusion of Burgess’ remarks.

“Today is a day of reflection, camaraderie and fun,” said Wright. “Since 9/11, Guard members have been uprooted from their lives, their jobs, and most importantly, their families. Operation Salute is an opportunity to recognize these sacrifices.”

Wright then introduced Governor Rendell, who was accompanied throughout the day by his wife, the First Lady of the Commonwealth, Judge Marjorie Rendell.

Rendell thanked the many sponsors who donated time and money for the event, then spoke of the dedication he witnessed firsthand when Soldiers and Airmen responded to his emergency declaration in the wake of flood conditions throughout most of the state in late June.
“At 12:30 a.m. I signed the order, by 3:30 a.m. “Chinooks” were in the air, and by 8:30, 700 guardsmen were on the ground,” said the Governor. “I never understood how terrific we were until that day.”

Rendell also spoke of those soldiers lost since 9/11. The Governor fought back tears as he made eye contact with family members of Guard members killed in action.

“There’s nothing that we can ever say or do that will compensate these families for the loss of their loved ones,” he said.

The touching emotion of Governor Rendell’s comments was followed by fiery oratory from Gen. Honore. The general got a deafening ovation when he spoke of the response of American military forces in the wake of the events of 9/11.

“After that (attack),” said Honore, “The president of the United States opened a big old can of whoop-ass called the National Guard.” Honore concluded by using the analogy of a sheepdog protecting its flock to describe the commitment service members have for protecting their country and fellow Americans.

Moments later, the stadium fell silent and there was nary a dry eye in the house as Gen. Wright read the names of the 34 Pennsylvania guard members lost since September 11, 2001. Twenty-five of those members were killed in action; nine died while on duty (non-hostile); and 287 have been injured.

“My son would be proud,” said Patricia Geiger, mother of Sgt. Christopher Geiger, who died in Afghanistan July 9, 2003. “Chris loved the guard, and he loved his country.”

Following the formal ceremony, the troops and their families were entertained by country music singer Craig Morgan and pop music legends The Beach Boys, who played a lengthy set of many of their greatest hits, and a special version of “Heroes and Villains” at the request of Governor Rendell.