On the recordDecember 17, 2015
I am proud of the two Virginia National Guard- based aviation units who will be deploying to Kuwait. According to an announcement made December 4, 2015, by Major General Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, approximately 40 of our brave U.S. soldiers assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, and Detachment 2, Company B, 777th Aviation Support Battalion, are scheduled to begin serving on Federal Active Duty in early June 2016. I am especially proud of my former intern and Virginia native, Specialist Jack Neblett. Jack has served in the Virginia National Guard for 4 years. Jack will be leaving his family and friends for at least 1 year while on tour. When interviewed about the deployment, Jack said: ``I think it's most important to recognize we're on a mission to defend the Constitution of the United States. We're all family, and I have great friends here. They're all professionals, and they love doing what they do.'' I am truly grateful and proud of our men and women in uniform. They courageously defend our Nation and preserve our freedom, and they will continue to do so. We must remember daily the sacrifices our military servicemembers make to protect our freedom. Our Nation must keep its commitments to those who sacrifice to keep us free. ____________________
