Citizen-soldiers honored by Senate

OLYMPIA – They are our fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors. They work in the same offices and shop at the same stores. And when our state or country calls, the National Guard responds.

In recognition of their dedication, the Senate today passed a resolution honoring the nearly 8,600 men and women of the Washington National Guard.

“When western Washington’s rivers jump their banks or eastern Washington’s forests are threatened by wild fires, the National Guard is the first line of defense,” said resolution sponsor Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens. “When mission support is needed for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, the National Guard answers the call.”

Men and women dressed in camouflage fatigues sat in the gallery as Senate Resolution 8610 was read and unanimously adopted.

“It is important to recognize the contributions of the citizen-soldiers who live and work among us,” Hobbs said. “Without them, we would all be more vulnerable to natural disasters and threats to our national security.”

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