They joined to be there for their country in time of need, and that
time has come.
About 125 National Guardsman from the Glendale unit were mobilized
Sunday for "homeland defense" duties. The soldiers bid goodbye to their
families and jobs and answered the call, embarking on a tour of duty that
could last as long as six months.
Anyone who has ever referred to the Guard as "weekend warriors" can
now see these fine patriots for who they really are: trained
professionals.
The Guardsmen moved out Monday evening for Fort Carson, Colo., for
additional training. It is not known exactly where they will be deployed
after that, but you can bet it will be where they are most needed. They
might be assigned to guard an airport, a nuclear power plant, an
aqueduct. They will be the front line of homeland defense, guarding
America's interests against the scourge of terrorism. They will be out
there keeping the rest of safe. Few endeavors are so noble.
For years, the National Guard Armory on Colorado Street has seemed
almost abandoned -- a convenient location for a cold weather shelter for
the homeless, but of little further use. But over the past couple of
weeks, the armory has been a beehive of activity. Soldiers in battle
dress uniform lined up in formation. Gear piled high on the ground.
Military vehicles rushed to and fro. And we came to realize the
tremendous importance of this facility. We came to see it for what it
always has been -- one of the most important buildings in the city.
Now, again, a stillness has descended on the armory. A few Guardsmen
can be seen going about their business, but the company of soldiers has
shipped out for duty. And while we go about our daily lives, enjoying the
freedoms that come with being Americans, the California Army National
Guardsmen are out there putting their lives on the line to protect those
freedoms.
We at the News-Press salute the members of the Glendale unit of the
National Guard, as we salute all our servicemen and servicewomen. Their
courage and strength is our great pride. Their commitment to freedom is
an honor to us all.
