PNGAS Update -- Past Items from Main Page

PAARNG Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan. Two Pennsylvania Army National Guard soldiers were killed in an ambush in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, early on the morning of August 27, 2007. More. . .

NGAUS Honors Governor Rendell.
Brig Gen Stephen Koper, President of the National Guard Association of the United States, presented the Charles Dick Medal of Merit to Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell at an October 4, 2006 ceremony at the State Capitol. General Koper was joined by Major General Jessica L. Wright, Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, and Brig Gen (PA Ret) Dean Oswald, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania National Guard AssociationS, in presenting the award to the Governor. Rendell was recognized for his outstanding support of the National Guard as shown by his "Support our Soldiers" legislative initiatives and by his decisive action in standing up for the Guard in response to the 2005 BRAC round. More. . .

Guard Mourns Passing of BG John T. Von Trott. Retired Brigadier General John T. von Trott, a decorated Pennsylvania Army National Guard general and Vietnam combat veteran, died Dec. 10, 2007 in Raleigh, N.C.

General von Trott, 61, of Boiling Springs, served the Pennsylvania Army National Guard as deputy commanding general, 28th Infantry Division. He was also the director of operations and training for the Guard and commander, 213th Area Support Group, Allentown.

"John was a consummate professional who made a tremendous difference in the Pennsylvania National Guard," said Major General Jessica L. Wright, Pennsylvania's Adjutant General. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Lorraine, his children and extended family."

General von Trott retired from the Army in September 2004 after a career spanning more than 37 years, during which he commanded troops at the platoon, company, group, brigade and division levels.

Defense Authorization Act UPDATE: House and Senate Conferees have action on the 2007 Defense Authorization Act. Approval of extension of TRICARE coverage was the big success story. The Congress did not include the National Guard Empowerment Act in the Authorization Bill. More. . .
Writing to Congress

Legislative Update. (2006 Session). Governor Ed Rendell has signed SB 1139 into law as Act 182 of 2006. This bill, which takes effect for the 2007 tax year, exempts pay of soldiers and airmen for state active duty for emergencies from state income tax. This was one of the Support our Soldiers initiatives supported by PNGAS.
The Governor has also signed House Bill 2296 into law as Act 161 of 2006. This law adjusts continuing education and license certification requirements for soldiers ordered to active duty and provides for changes to the real property tax exemption program for certain disabled veterans.
Governor Ed Rendell has signed Senate Bill 1266 into law as Act 150 of 2006. This legislation clarifies Act 62 of 2005 with regard to paid military leave for certain Commonwealth of Pennsylvania employees. It takes effect in January 2007.
The 2005-06 session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly has enacted many new bills of importance to the Guard, Reserves and Veterans as a result of the Governor's Support our Soldiers initiatives. PNGAS members are asked to thank their state representatives and state senators for their outstanding support of the Guard and veterans during the 2005-06 session.

Vote YES for Vets. Pennsylvania voters gave overwhelming approval to funding for the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Compensation Program when they voted in the general election on November 7. This program will provide payments to veterans of Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield (August 1990 to August 1991). Implementation of the new program will require consideration of regulations and various administrative actions. Act 29 took effect on 18 Dec 06It is expected that applications may be available during the second half of 2007. More...

128th NGAUS General Conference. The 128th General Conference of the National Guard Association of the United States was held 15 - 19 September 2006 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. More. . .

Operation Salute. On 10 Sep 06, Pennsylvania National Guard members and their families from across Pennsylvania gathered at Bryce Jordan Center, Penn State University. Operation Salute was a once-in-a-lifetime salute to our soldiers and airmen, and their families. It included a somber ceremony of remembrance for our fallen heroes, a celebration of the accomplishments of the National Guard, top-notch entertainment, including the Beach Boys, Craig Morgan, and others, and a well-deserved thank you for all who have served. More. . .
Operation Salute News Release
Penn State Live Operation Salute Photos

Final Destination -- Muir Army Airfield at Fort Indiantown Gap was the final destination of an EC-130 from the 193rd Special Operation Wing. The Hercules transporter, configured for the 193rd electronic warfare mission, landed at Muir at about 1430 on 3 August 2006. The aircraft has become a static display at Fort Indiantown Gap. More. . .

Operation Washout -- PA Guard Responds to Flooding. Governor Ed Rendell ordered about 1000 soldiers and airmen of the Pennsylvania Army and Air National Guard to State Active Duty to respond to extensive flooding starting 27 June 06. The 111th Fighter Wing and Willow Grove served as a key hub for FEMA supplies for Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania Guard members rescued citizens trapped in vehicles and on roofs as the waters rose.
More. . .

Support Our Soldiers Legislative Initiatives. In the final days before the summer recess, the Pennsylvania General Assembly took action on three bills of importance to the Pennsylvania National Guard and PNGAS. On 30 June, the State Senate took final legislative action on Senate Bill 1043, which addressed two of Governor Rendell's "Support our Soldiers" initiatives and HB 2437. In addition, the General Assembly approved capital budget and capital project legislation containing specific approval for PAARNG armory and readiness center projects. More. . .

"Iron Soldiers" The Iron Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team who have served with distinction in Iraq are back home. Click here for more information about our Iron Soldiers in Iraq. The Iron Soldier Newsletter (pdf)

BACK AT THE GAP WRAPS. The 50th and final installment of Maj. Gen. Frank H. Smoker, Jr.'s Lebanon Daily News serial column “Back at the Gap” was published on 12 October 2005. “One hundred weeks ago, “ Smoker wrote, “I started writing these biweekly articles with the purpose of acquainting the people of our community with the history and status of Fort Indiantown Gap and to convey its importance to the vital military and economic value to our community.” In his final article, Smoker announced plans to assemble the 50 columns into a book, also titled “Back at the Gap”, with proceeds to benefit the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum at Fort Indiantown Gap. All 50 articles are available here on the PNGAS web site. More. . .

First Militia Law. The General Assembly has joined the Adjutant General in marking the 250th Anniversary of Pennsylvania's first Militia Law. More. . .

TRICARE ALERT: NGAUS and EANGUS are doing a "Full Court Press" for TRICARE, and we need your help. Now is the time for all PNGAS members to contact their members of Congress and urge support for TRICARE for the Guard and Reserve. More. . .

Board of Directors Meeting - 22 October 2005. The PNGAS Board of Directors met at 1000 on Saturday, 22 Oct 2005, at State College, PA 16803. The meeting included a visit to Toftrees Resort, site of the 2006 Annual Conference. More. . .

USAA has offered to sponsor all enlisted members promoted to E-5 and E-6 during calendar year 2004/5 to a one-year membership in EANGUS. More. . .

Major General Winant Sidle, U. S. Army (Retired) was buried on 3 June 2005 at Arlington National Cemetery. The following is a brief tribute to his significant contributions in the development of procedures and guidelines for combat news coverage. More. . .

21st Annual Conference Report. Announcing a series of legislative initiatives at the 21st Annual Conference in Philadelphia, Governor Edward G. Rendell said his goal is to work with the General Assembly on a bi-partisan basis to give Pennsylvania Guard members and their families "the finest package of Guard protections and benefits in America." Governor Rendell's dramatic announcement and presentations by Congressman Curt Weldon and Mr. Craig Duerhring, Principal Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, highlighted the 21st Annual Conference held from 29 Apr to 1 May 05 at the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel in historic Philadelphia. The 56th Brigade (Stryker) hosted the Conference, which in addition to highly informative professional development presentations, also featured an outstanding Associations Dinner at the Independence Seaport Museum. More. . .
Conference Resolutions (pdf)
Corporate Members and Benefactors
Gallery of Photographs
PNGAS Board Met on 1 May 05. More. . .

On 16 Nov 2004, Pennsylvania National Guard officials and PNGAS officers presented the prestigious NGAUS Patrick Henry Award to Ms. Vicki Siegel, Director of Appropriations for United States Senator Arlen Specter. More. . .

Governor signs bills of importance to Pennsylvania National Guard. In the final days of the 2004 session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, three bills of importance to the National Guard and PNGAS were sent to Governor Rendell with overwhelming legislative approval. On 30 November 2004, Governor Rendell signed all three bills into law.
House Bill 2055 (PN 3423) (Act 195 of 2004) corrects an inequity in the definition of "soldier" for veterans' preference purposes. It will permit Guard and Reserve members to receive state veterans preference after completing an active duty deployment qualifying for a DD Form 214 even if they remain members of the Guard or Reserve on their initial service commitment.
Senate Bill 981 (PN 1332) (Act 212 of 2004), amends the Educational Assistance Program to establish the Educational Assistance Program Fund as a permanent non-lapsing fund. This will help ensure that state educational assistance grants are fully funded now and in the future.
Governor Rendell signs Baker Bill

Governor Ed Rendell is joined by State Representatives John Yudichak, Tom Tigue and Phyllis Mundy, along with BG Robert French, Deputy Adjutant General-Army, at a ceremonial signing of SB 931 (HB 2688), called the Baker Bill, in Wilkes-Barre.
Senate Bill 931 (PN 1950) (Act 210 of 2004) amends state law to provide that children of Pennsylvania National Guard and other military personnel members killed in any authorized duty status (federal or state) qualify for educational gratuities at State System of Higher Education schools.
PNGAS thanks the sponsors of these bills and those who moved them through the General Assembly during the hectic final days of the 2004 session. PNGAS also thanks Governor Rendell for signing these bills into law.

PNGAS Board Meeting. The PNGAS Board of Directors met on 16 October at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia. The meeting will take place right across the street from the Sheraton Society Hill (2nd and Walnut)which is the site of the 2005 Annual Conference. Click here for more information on the Board meeting. At the meeting, Executive Director Dean Oswald announced that the letters showing the name of the PNGAS Headquarters will soon be in place.

TRICARE! The FY 2005 Defense Authorization Act contains improvements to TRICARE for the Guard and Reserves. These improvements do not go as far as the changes endorsed by NGAUS. Click here for the latest Legislative Alert from NGAUS on this important issue. The Authorization Act will make permanent TRICARE health coverage up to 90 days before active duty and 180 following separation from active duty. In addition, TRICARE Standard coverage has been authorized for Guard members and their families who have been activated for more than 30 days since September 11, 2001, in support of a contingency operation and commit to continued service in the Selected Reserves. For every 90 days of consecutive active duty service, the member and their family are eligible for one year of TRICARE coverage while in a non-active duty status. The Guard member must commit to remain in the National Guard for the entire year of TRICARE coverage in order to access this benefit. This coverage will be on a cost-share basis, with the Guard member paying 28 percent of the premium, the Department of Defense paying the remaining 72 percent. In another provision, the Defense Authorization Act eliminated the Social Security offset to the Survivor Benefit Plan. This change will be phased in for SBP annuities paid to survivors of military retirees who are 62 or older. More about TRICARE. . .

Title 32 Duty. The 2005 Defense Authorization Act also contained changes urged by NGAUS to Title 32, United States Code, to clarify the authority for Guard personnel to participate in operational duties, including homeland security duties, under state command and control with funding from the U.S. Government under Title 32, United States Code.

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. More. . .

PNGAS Protests House Resolution. Executive Director Dean Oswald has corresponded with key legislators to urge withdrawal of House Resolution 742, which mistakenly states that Pennsylvania National Guard members were involved in prisoner abuse in Iraq. PNGAS is seeking immediate retraction of this misstatement.