House Resolution 138
By: Representatives Bonner of the 73rd, Ballard of the 147th, Cannon of the 172nd, Thomas
of the 21st, and Clark of the 100th
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing February 6, 2025, as National Guard Day at the state capitol; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS, the Georgia Department of Defense provides ready and relevant military forces
to combatant commanders to defend our nation and to the governor to support homeland
defense and defense support to civil authorities; and
WHEREAS, the Georgia Department of Defense is headquartered at the Clay National Guard
Center in Marietta, Georgia, and it includes the Georgia Army National Guard, the Georgia
Air National Guard, and the Georgia State Defense Force; and
WHEREAS, the Georgia Department of Defense consists of more than 11,000 army national
guard soldiers; 2,800 air national guard airmen; 450 state defense force volunteers; and 500
state employees; and
WHEREAS, the Georgia Army National Guard is the sixth largest in the nation, trains in
nearly 70 hometown armories and regional facilities in almost 60 counties across the state,
and includes combat, combat support, and combat service support units; and
WHEREAS, the Georgia Army National Guard is organized into five major subordinate
commands, which are the Macon-based 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team; the 648th
Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at Fort Moore; and the 78th Troop Command, 78th
Aviation Troop Command, and 201st Regional Support Group at the Clay National Guard
Center in Marietta; and
WHEREAS, the Georgia Air National Guard is the air power component of the State of
Georgia with airmen and officers assigned to the 116th Air Control Wing in Warner Robins,
the 165th Airlift Wing in Savannah, and geographically separated units throughout Georgia,
playing an active role in supporting combatant commanders and Georgia's homeland defense
and emergency response; and
WHEREAS, the Georgia State Defense Force is a wholly volunteer unit of the Georgia
Department of Defense, serving in support of the national and state constitutions under
direction of the governor and the adjutant general, notably during hurricane response
operations in 2024; and
WHEREAS, the Georgia National Guard has deployed more than 33,000 soldiers and airmen
throughout all geographic combatant commands since September 11, 2001; maintained a
steady overseas presence in support of contingency operations; maintained state partnerships
with the Country of Georgia and Republic of Argentina; and supported homeland response
missions within the State of Georgia due to winter storms, hurricanes, COVID-19, and civil
unrest; and
WHEREAS, in 2024, more than 2,000 Georgia guard soldiers, airmen, and state defense
force personnel responded in the wake of hurricanes Debbie, Milton, and Helene, the last of
which was the Georgia National Guard's largest domestic storm response in more than 30
years, encompassing more than 100 missions in 35 counties ranging from debris clearance
to humanitarian support; and
WHEREAS, the selfless actions of the Georgia Department of Defense and its components
at home and abroad in 2024 stands as an example of putting service before self, and it is
abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of these remarkable and
distinguished Georgians be appropriately recognized.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body recognize February 6, 2025, as National Guard Day at the state
capitol and commend the men and women of the Georgia National Guard for their strength,
leadership, courage, and selfless service.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the
public and the press.