Since Sept. 2001, nearly 5,900 Maryland Citizen-Soldiers and Citizen-Airmen have been mobilized and deployed
DUNDALK, Md. (May 25, 2007) - Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown today bid farewell to 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment of the Maryland Army National Guard at a deployment ceremony at the Maryland Army National Guard Armory in Dundalk. The unit left today for Fort Dix, New Jersey for training prior to overseas deployment in support of
the occupation in Iraq.
"I am extremely proud of these men and women who represent the best of Maryland," said Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown. "Their service and sacrifice to our state and our country is an example to all of our citizens and worthy of emulation. Governor O'Malley and I thank them and their families for their service and dedication."
The battalion includes approximately 640 Soldiers from around the state. Included in the mobilization are Headquarters and Headquarters Company, stationed in Dundalk; Company A, stationed in Frederick; Company B, stationed in White Oak; Company C, stationed in Towson; and Company D, stationed in Elkton.
"Many of these Citizen-Soldiers have been previously deployed to Iraq," said Maj. Gen. Bruce F. Tuxill, adjutant general of Maryland. "They represent a tradition of selfless service that is older than our nation."
The Soldiers will spend approximately two months at Fort Dix processing and conducting additional training prior to deploying overseas. The Soldiers are expected to be mobilized for a total of 12 months, including the time spent at Fort Dix.
The unit is one of the oldest regiments in the U.S. Army. It is credited with having saved the revolutionary cause at the Battle of Long Island in 1776, when it repeatedly charged a vastly superior British force, buying time for the Continental Army to escape, and with saving the city of Baltimore from capture by the British Army at the Battle of North Point in 1814. The unit also fought in the Civil War and both World Wars.
There are currently approximately 540 members of the Maryland National Guard deployed in support of various war missions across the nation and around the world. Since Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 5,900 Maryland Citizen-Soldiers and Citizen-Airmen have been mobilized and deployed.
With the recent and future planned deployments of National Guard members and reservists, the Office of the Attorney General has compiled a fact sheet detailing the rights and protections available to service members.
“When called to serve our country, every member of the National Guard and reserve is entitled to certain protections under the law,” said Attorney General Gansler. “My office has compiled a fact sheet detailing in simple terms the protections afforded service members and small business owners affected by the deployment.”
The fact sheet also contains useful contact information and websites of state and federal agencies. National Guard members and reservists have protections in terms of employment, financial transactions, and voting. In addition, there are programs available to assist small business employers of and the businesses owned by active service members. The fact sheet can be found on the website of the Attorney General at http://www.oag.state.md.us/nationalGuardRights.htm .
RELATED INFORMATION:
Senate Questions DoD Secretary Gates on Maryland National Guard Readiness, May 09, 2007
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