WHEREAS, the Virginia National Guard traces its heritage and tradition of citizen-service to May 14, 1607, and a military presence has continued in Virginia ever since to defend freedom at home and overseas; and

WHEREAS, World War I marked the first time that volunteer state militia units were activated for federal duty under a formal Army structure and deployed overseas for combat operations, and multiple Virginia National Guard units formed to deploy overseas for World War I continue to serve today; and

WHEREAS, during World War II, soldiers from the 29th Division took part in the massive invasion of Normandy, France on June 6, 1944, to be known forever as “D-Day”; and

WHEREAS, more than 800 members of the 116th Infantry were killed, wounded, or missing during the assault on Omaha Beach, but their courage and bravery helped create a foothold that allowed follow-on forces to continue the assault, liberate France, and bring an end to Nazi tyranny; and

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

WHEREAS, since the terrorist 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 to defend the homeland; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia National Guard, with the support of the Virginia Defense Force, continues to assist the citizens of the Commonwealth during times of need as part of the statewide emergency response team; and

WHEREAS, from August 2021 to February 2023, more than 2,000 VNG personnel mobilized on federal active duty in the United States and overseas, the most since 2007, and they served with courage, honor and distinction across the globe, while the VNG continues military-to-military exchanges with the Republic of Tajikistan and Finland as part of the State Partnership Program to support defense security goals; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia National Guard could not perform its mission without the support of the civilian workforce, families, employers, and communities around the Commonwealth;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize May 14, 2025, as the 418^th BIRTHDAY OF THE VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all of our citizens.