The Pennsylvania National Guard Associations sponsored its annual visit to the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation on March 4 and 5, 2008. Over 60 soldiers and airmen of the Pennsylvania Army and Air National Guard visited the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.
After arriving in Washington, the group first visited the headquarters of the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) for briefings from Major General Jessica Wright, the Adjutant General, PNGAS Executive Director Dean Oswald and PNGAS legislative chair, LTC Dale Waltman. After the briefings, members of PNGAS visited the offices of all the members of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation to brief members and staffs about the Pennsylvania National Guard and its legislative goals for his year.
A highlight of the office visits was the presentation of NGAUS's Patrick Henry Award to Chris Bradish, military legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Arlen Specter. Senator Specter joined General Wright, NGAUS President Brig Gen Steve Koper, PNGAS chair CMSgt Karl Spohn and other leaders for the presentation of the prestigious award.
After completing the office calls, the PNGAS group reassembled at NGAUS Headquarters for a reception for PNGAS corporate members and Congressional staffs.
The next morning featured the PNGAS Congressional Briefing in the Gold Room of the Rayburn House Office Building. After welcoming remarks from Congressman Bill Shuster, Congressman John Murtha gave the assembled Guard leaders and congressional staff a briefing on congressional developments. Congressman Tim Murphy, LTG H. Steven Blum, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, and LTG Clyde Vaughn also spoke. The Adjutant General introduced the Guard in Review video, which was followed by further informal discussions and a group photo outside the Capitol.
The 2008 Congressional briefing once again showed your Guard Associations at work for the Pennsylvania National Guard.
The follow pictures are made available through the courtesy of the DMVA Public Affairs Office. All the photos were taken by Daniel Palermo. PNGAS thanks DMVA for the opportunity to reproduce these photos.
