Dick Durbin: “``Always ready, always there.'' That is the motto of the Illinois National Guard. And for 300 years, in times of war and…”

“``Always ready, always there.'' That is the motto of the Illinois National Guard. And for 300 years, in times of war and peace, it has lived up to that promise. As the Illinois National Guard celebrates its 300th anniversary, we thank our citizen soldiers for their service and their sacrifice. If you want to see the selfless character of the Illinois National Guard, just take a look around the Senate because you will spot my colleague Senator Tammy Duckworth, former Lt. Col. Tammy Duckworth of the Illinois Air National Guard. Senator Duckworth almost gave her life when the Black Hawk helicopter she was copiloting was hit by an RPG in Iraq. But it didn't diminish her will to serve our State and our Nation, and I am lucky to have her as my colleague. The Illinois National Guard traces its history of service to May 9, 1723, when a local militia completed its first exercise in Kaskaskia, IL. Back then, Illinois was still a French territory. Since then, the citizen soldiers of the Illinois National Guard have protected our State and Nation at home and abroad. When the Mississippi River overflows its banks or when we are faced with other natural disasters, it is the Guard that we call. And its members have served with honor and distinction throughout its history. During the American Revolution, Illinois' militia members fought under the heroic command of Col. George Rogers Clark to oust the British from Illinois.…”