An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | July 3, 2013

Independence Day message to the men and women of the National Guard

By Courtesy Story

ARLINGTON, Va. - The Chief, National Guard Bureau, Gen. Frank Grass, and the National Guard Senior Enlisted Advisor, Chief Master Sgt. Mitchell O. Brush, send the following Independence Day message to the men and women of the United States National Guard.

Two hundred and thirty seven years ago, the Second Continental Congress unanimously passed the document that set the future United States on the course of independence, liberty, freedom, and prosperity. Over these 237 years, the example, prosperity, and military power of the United States has brought and defended the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to not only to Americans, but also millions of people worldwide.

The National Guard of the United States, and the armed forces that descended from the colonial militias that fought and won the War of Independence, have continually defended our country since 1776."

Every member of the National Guard continues to support our freedom by serving in and providing trained and ready operational forces for both national defense and response to catastrophic events.

Our Guardsmen today are providing enhanced accountability and working toward fully effective stewardship of Guard resources. At the same time, these loyal Americans support and sustain the National Guard community, its members and their employers.

These Guardsmen work constantly to analyze future threats to our free nation, work to develop new opportunities to serve the nation and maintain a proven operational reserve force capable of meeting all challenges.

The National Guard is proud to serve the people of the United States and its role in establishing the freedoms we will celebrate this July 4th." We salute all the men and women of the National Guard, the founding fathers of our free nation, and the citizens who make this country so great.

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Air Force dental technician completes a dental X-ray for a local resident during Operation Healthy Tennessee, Rhea County Middle School, Evensville, Tenn., July 10, 2025. Operation Healthy Tennessee provides no-cost medical, dental, vision and veterinary services to the residents of Bledsoe and Rhea County, as well as the surrounding areas while satisfying training requirements for active-duty, reserve and Air National Guard service members and units.
Operation Healthy Tennessee: Where Readiness Meets Relief
By Staff Sgt. Sarah Stalder Lundgren, | July 22, 2025
EVENSVILLE, Tenn. - More than 200 service members from the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. Navy Reserve and U.S. Air Force Reserve participated in Operation Healthy Tennessee, part of the...

Soldiers from the Oregon Army National Guard's 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) returned home July 19, 2025, following a successful year-long deployment to Kosovo as part of the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission. The members were enthusiastically greeted by friends and family as they made their way into the Camp Withycombe gymnasium in Happy Valley, Oregon.
Oregon Guard Brigade Returns After Kosovo Deployment
By Maj. Wayne Clyne, | July 22, 2025
CLACKAMAS, Ore. - Soldiers from the Oregon Army National Guard's 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, or IBCT, returned home July 19 after a successful year-long deployment to Kosovo as part of the NATO-led Kosovo Force...

U.S. Army Maj. Troy Dandrea, brigade chaplain, 17th Sustainment Brigade, prays over Soldiers in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 14, 2024.
Nevada Guard Brigade Returning From Middle East Deployment
By Sgt. Adrianne Lopez, | July 22, 2025
LAS VEGAS - After 10 months of conducting logistical operations across the Middle East, the Nevada Army National Guard’s 17th Sustainment Brigade is coming back home to the Silver State with its Task Force Warrior mission...