Virginia National Guard continues to support local authorities in winter storm recovery
VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
NEWS RELEASE ~ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ~ Dec. 24, 2009
For more info: Maj. Cotton Puryear at cotton.puryear@us.army.mil or 804-539-1451
Virginia National Guard continues to support local authorities in winter storm recovery
Photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vaguardpao/sets/72157622903254321/detail/
The Virginia National Guard continues to provide assistance to local authorities in the southwest Virginia area Dec. 24 in the wake of severe winter weather that hit the commonwealth almost a week ago. Approximately 100 Soldiers are on state active duty with the missions of delivering food and water and conducting door-to-door checks on health and welfare in Wise County and operating water distribution points in Dickenson County.
The water distribution mission is scheduled to be complete by the end of the day, but Virginia Guard Soldiers are expected to continue their missions in Wise County through Dec. 27. Guard leaders plan to schedule Soldiers duty on Christmas Day to allow them to be home with their families for at least part of the day.
Gov. Kaine authorized Virginia National Guard Soldiers for state active duty in order to assist state and local authorities with the response to a major winter storm that began Dec. 18. At the peak of the response, the Virginia Guard had nearly 700 Soldiers and Airmen on duty along the I-81 corridor from Winchester to Danville, and also conducted operations in Lynchburg, Stafford and Charlottesville.
The Virginia Guard conducted a variety of missions including rescuing stranded motorists, delivering food, water and blankets to shelters and snow-bound homes, providing ambulances to the sick and injured, transporting health care professionals to hospitals, conducting door to door checks on the health and welfare of residents and delivering crews to repair downed power lines in the remote regions of Virginia.
Gov. Kaine sent a thank you letter to the Virginia National Guard Dec. 23 to express his appreciation for their service during his four years as governor. The full text of the letter copied below.
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Commonwealth of Virginia
Office of the Governor
December 23, 2009
As our Commonwealth pauses to embrace the joys of the holiday season, I want to send a special message to the men and women of the Virginia National Guard. Thank you for defending our freedoms and keeping our country safe. Your sacrifices and those of your families are not forgotten during this time of year.
Here in Virginia, you have demonstrated time and again that you are indeed “The Commonwealth’s Guardian.” From fighting forest fires in southwest Virginia, to providing security for the inauguration of our president, to your recent response to the devastating snows that hit the Commonwealth, the citizens of Virginia know that they can depend on your professionalism and devotion to duty.
All Virginians owe a special thanks to you and your families who support you in your role as a Virginia Guardsman. Your families understand first-hand the sacrifice that comes with service in the National Guard and I want each of them to know that we recognize and appreciate their commitment as well.
As my term as Governor comes to an end, please know that it has been a great honor to have commanded the Virginia National Guard. On behalf of the citizens of a grateful Commonwealth, I offer my thanks for all that you have done over the last four years. Your service is an inspiration to us all.
Anne and I send you and your families our very best for the holiday season and our wish for a healthy and happy New Year.
Sincerely,
Timothy M. Kaine
Governor
