From Omaha.com: Guard celebrates 375th birthday
ASHLAND, Neb. — A 375-year tradition of citizen soldiers stood front and center Sunday at Camp Ashland during a birthday celebration for the National Guard.
The National Guard began on Dec. 13, 1636, when the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony passed a law establishing formal militia companies. Since that time, guard units have participated in every major conflict involving the United States from the American Revolution to the war on terror.
Nebraska National Guard Adj. Gen. Judd Lyons said members of the guard have been severely tested since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Units have been deployed all over the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan.
“There have been countless deployments, but the thing that impresses me is that these men and women joined up knowing they would deploy,” Lyons said. “They are just so proud to serve their country, and you see that all across the board.”
The belated birthday celebration included inspirational music by members of the 43rd U.S. Army Band, speeches by dignitaries and the ceremonial cutting of the guard's birthday cake. Following tradition, the youngest guard member present, Pvt. Lucas Kinsey, 20, and the oldest, retired Maj. General Edward Binder, 88, cut the cake with a saber.
Staff Sgt. John Tolliver, 51, of Lincoln, has deployed to Iraq, Kuwait and Egypt. He said he feels a kinship of service with older veterans.
“Anything we can do to preserve what the founders gave us is an honor,” Tolliver said. “What we're doing is maintaining what other generations have given us and then handing it over to the next generation.”
That spirit of tradition and honor hit home with Tolliver one day while he was shopping in uniform. An elderly man approached him and thanked him for his service.
“I asked if he had been in the service and he said that he had,” Tolliver said. “So, I asked where he had been and he said ‘Omaha Beach.' I couldn't believe he was thanking me after what he went through there. I don't want to be the one to let that guy down.”
The way Chief Warrant Officer Kevin Monismith of Lincoln sees it, the National Guard is better equipped, trained and motivated than when he joined 20 years ago.
“We move at a lot faster pace because we have a two-fold mission — (disaster relief) in the states and our work abroad,” Monismith said. “We've gotten better at all the things we need to do. We're better equipped and we have experienced leaders that are directly responsible for keeping the guard motivated.”
Monismith deployed to Bosnia in 1998 and Afghanistan in 2007. His wife, Chief Warrant Officer Carrie Monismith, has served two tours in Iraq.
The couple has an 11-year-old daughter. Kevin Monismith said serving on the home front while his wife is away has been interesting. He credited support from other guard members with helping him get through the difficult times.
“For the people at home, it's quite the commitment,” he said. “You're mom, dad, cook, gardener … everything that you need to be, but there is a lot of support from the guard and I'm grateful for that.”
Now that all U.S. combat forces have left Iraq, the Nebraska National Guard has only about 200 soldiers deployed abroad. That contrasts with a high of about 1,400 Nebraskans deployed a few years ago.
“We'll take a minute to reload and reset, but we'll be ready to do it again if we have to,” Kevin Monismith said. “That's our history. We're always ready if the country needs us.”
