Dan Boren: “I, along with the entire Oklahoma congressional delegation, rise today to recognize the members of the Oklahoma Army and…”

“I, along with the entire Oklahoma congressional delegation, rise today to recognize the members of the Oklahoma Army and Air National Guard for their service and sacrifice since September 11, 2001. Military service is a time-honored tradition in Oklahoma, and the members of the Oklahoma National Guard are a living testament to this heritage. Following the terrorist attacks on 9/11, thousands of members of the Oklahoma National Guard bravely answered the call of duty. They have confronted our enemies on the battlefield in Iraq and Afghanistan, defended the American homeland security against domestic threats and responded bravely to natural disasters and domestic emergencies. Members of the Oklahoma National Guard are an invaluable asset to the United States military during wartime. Some of their more notable missions since 9/11 include providing air transport for soldiers and vital equipment to and from Iraq and Afghanistan, assisting with relief operations in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and deploying specialized units of agricultural specialists to Afghanistan to assist local Afghans with agricultural development.”