WHEREAS, the Virginia National Guard traces the heritage and tradition of citizen-service to the May 14, 1607, founding of Jamestown when Captain John Smith organized the colonists for defense resulting in a military presence which has continued in Virginia ever since defending freedom at home and overseas; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia created the Virginia State Volunteers, later renamed the Virginia Volunteers, in response to the 1917 federalization of the Virginia National Guard to support civil authorities; and

WHEREAS, World War I marked the first time volunteer state militia units were federalized under a formal U.S. Army structure and deployed overseas for combat operations, and multiple Virginia National Guard units formed for service in World War I were among those mobilized, and continue to serve today; and

WHEREAS, during World War II, Virginia Soldiers of the 29th Division participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944, and through their courage and bravery helped secure a vital foothold that contributed to the success of the operation; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Air National Guard, established in 1947, has served the state and nation with honor and courage in both war and peace; and

WHEREAS, since the attacks of September 11, 2001, more than 18,600 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have served on federal active duty as the combat reserve of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, defending the homeland with support from the Virginia Defense Force and assisting the Commonwealth during times of need as part of the statewide emergency response team, while continuing to serve on federal active duty in the United States and overseas in support of global missions with courage, honor, and distinction; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia National Guard relies on the steadfast support of the civilian workforce, families, employers, and communities across the Commonwealth, and for 40 years, members of the Virginia Defense Force have volunteered their time, skills, and expertise to provide dedicated service in support of the Virginia National Guard and as part of the state emergency response team, assisting fellow Virginians in times of need;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Abigail D. Spanberger, do hereby recognize May 14, 2026, as the 419TH BIRTHDAY OF THE VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.