State of Vermont

Executive Department

A Proclamation

Whereas,                            the Vermont National Guard was called upon by the President of the United States to deploy to Afghanistan to defend our state’s basic freedoms; and

Whereas,                            over fifteen hundred members of the Vermont National Guard, in the largest deployment since World War II, served their state and country with distinction throughout their year-long mission; and

Whereas,                            the Vermont National Guard performed a variety of difficult military missions, including training Afghan National Security Forces, improving security, governance, and development for the people of Afghanistan and the global community; and

Whereas,                            three members of the Vermont National Guard, SGT Steven DeLuzio, SGT Tristan Southworth, and SPC Ryan Grady made the ultimate sacrifice for the people of Vermont and America; and

Whereas,                            all Vermonters are grateful for the sacrifices made by the brave men and women of the Vermont National Guard;

now, Therefore,            I, Peter Shumlin, Governor, do hereby proclaim February 1-7, A.D. 2011 as

Vermont National Guard Appreciation Week

in Vermont, and thank the citizen soldiers of the Vermont National
Guard for their heroic service to our state and nation.

Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of

Vermont on this day of January, A.D. 2011

Peter Shumlin
Governor

Alexandra MacLean
Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs