Honoring and commending the various Philadelphia-area National Guard Units upon their return home after a year of dedicated service protecting the interests of the United States of America abroad.

WHEREAS, Approximately one year ago, various National Guard Units from the Philadelphia area answered a call to duty made by the President of the United States. These units mobilized American soldiers in support of Operation Enduring Freedom/Task Force Keystone in an operation to secure critical facilities in Germany, including force protection for military bases and specific sites, and for other missions in support of Task Force Eagle of the Multi-National Brigade of Operation Joint Forge, in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and

WHEREAS, These National Guard Units valiantly and courageously worked to secure the interests of the United States of America abroad, and have remained steadfastly committed to fulfilling their mission, which is to provide combat-ready units for mobilization into the Armed Forces in time of war or national emergency, or at times as may be required by the President of the United States for the security of this nation; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of Philadelphia extend, to the returning National Guard Units, our sincerest gratitude for the invaluable service that they provide us, for the protection and security that they provide for this great country, and for the bravery they exhibit in the face of extreme danger; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of Philadelphia are proud to honor the following National Guard Units: the 128th Chemical Company, assigned to Task Force Keystone; A 1/103rd Engineers, assigned to Task Force Keystone; B 1/103rd Engineers, assigned to Task Force Keystone; C 1/103rd Engineers, assigned to Task Force Eagle of the Multi-National Brigade of Operation Joint Forge; A 1/104th Cavalry, assigned to Task Force Eagle of the Multi-National Brigade of Operation Joint Forge; B 1/104th Cavalry, assigned to Task Force Eagle of the Multi-National Brigade of Operation Joint Forge; HHT 1/104th Cavalry, assigned to Task Force Eagle of the Multi-National Brigade of Operation Joint Forge; C 1/213th Air Defense Artillery, assigned to Task Force Keystone; HHB 1/213th Air Defense Artillery, assigned to Task Force Keystone; and B/228th Forward Support Battalion, assigned to Task Force Keystone; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor and commend the various Philadelphia-area National Guard Units upon their return home after a year of dedicated service protecting the interests of the United States of America abroad.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the returning National Guard Units as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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