State Lawmakers Honor Citizen Soldiers
Story & Photos by SPC Charles Ames - Posted Jul, 2000
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Earlier this year the State Legislature welcomed it's citizen soldiery to capital. In what has become an annual observance the House and Senate joined together to pay tribute to the men and women of the Washington National Guard. 1999 - a year of challenge and opportunity - in many ways redefined our service to the state.
To the casual observer it may have seemed as if the capitol was being secured by the military with the legislatures blessing! Dress uniforms of several types moved in amongst the colored blazers of the capitol interns. Members of a multi-service color guard prepared flags for posting. On the third floor, just outside the Legislative Chambers, displays were being erected depicting the history and activities of the Washington National Guard.
Each January the State Legislature pauses for it's annual recognition of the sacrifices of the Washington National Guard. Looking back on 1999, it was a difficult and trying year.
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Beginning in tragedy with the loss of 4 Air Guardsmen in the crash of a KC-135 tanker in Europe, the passing of Brigadier General (Ret) Errol Van Eaton in March, Annual Training in June and July, a change of Adjutant General in September, a call-up from the Governor to assist with the World Trade Organization civil disturbance in November, and ending with the tense countdown to the potential of a "cyber crash" at Y2K...
... not to mention the almost continuous deployment of Guardsmen to locations throughout the United States and the world.
In what has become an annual tradition, the State Legislature officially recognized the efforts of a dedicated and especially hard-working group of constituents - the men and women of the Washington National Guard. To begin the ceremonies the color guard posted the colors on both the House and Senate sides. A hushed group tour paused and broke into applause as the color guard departed the House floor.
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In the House Chambers, a resolution was read to praise the efforts of the National Guard during a rather 'active' year. Representatives, each in turn, spoke glowingly about individual Guard contributions as they affected their districts and communities. 1999 had certainly been an active year for the citizen soldiers.
From the center of the Rotunda, Lt. Governor Brad Owen acknowledged the selfless dedication of a very special group of Guardsmen - the top Soldiers and Airmen of the Year.
Honors went to SPC Richard A. Garcia of the 790th Chemical Company, Grandview (now the 420th Chemical Battalion), SGT Kevin M. Kealy, of the 248th RAOC at Port Orchard on the Army Guard side, and to Air Guardsmen SrA Allan Lawson and TSgt Robert Nichols, both from the Western Air Defense Sector, headquartered at McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma.
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All were selected following a grueling cumulative year of boards escalating through various levels in their units. They are the best of the best by every standard.
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Special mention was made of the 1998 Airman of the Year, SSgt Edward J. Moore. SSgt Moore was first selected as Airman of the Year for the Washington Air National Guard, but subsequently went on to be selected as Airman of the Year for the entire Air National Guard, and then Airman of the Year for the entire United States Air Force (active and reserve components)! It is interesting to note that SSgt Moore also hails from WADS.
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Appreciation was not limited to the Guard's enlisted members. A separate resolution was passed to commemorate the ten years of service by former Adjutant General, Major General Gregory T. Barlow.
Dozens of Guardsmen representing the units of the Washington Army and Air National Guard crowded the gallery, withstood the accolades, then crowded onto the third floor foyer outside the reception room to bear the smiles and good wishes of a proud public.
Also in attendance were the Adjutant General, Maj Gen Timothy Lowenberg and the Commander of the Washington Army National Guard, BG Lee Legowik.
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While applause is discouraged on the floor, members of the house gave a standing ovation for the men and women who voluntarily surrender their free time to pursue careers in the National Guard, frequently driving long distances across the state to report to distant armories, occasionally on little or no notice for sometimes uncertain missions.
Three Washington State Legislators are also members of the Washington National Guard: (left - right) Representatives Brad Benson, a Captain in the 141st Air Refueling Wing, Spokane WA, Brian Sullivan, a First Lieutenant in the 1st Information Operations Group, Camp Murray, Tacoma WA, and Staff Sergeant Dave Schmidt, STARC, Camp Murray, Tacoma WA.
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