Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce and bring to the Senate's attention today a resolution which recognizes the value of the defense relationship between the National Guard of the State of Vermont and the military services of the Republic of Macedonia, under the National Guard State Partnership Program. Time and again, the Republic of Macedonia has contributed to important NATO-led missions, including several hundred troops currently deployed to Afghanistan along with the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Vermont National Guard. This relationship has yielded tangible benefits for both our countries, and I am proud of the role that Vermont has played in strengthening and broadening a growing international partnership. The Vermont National Guard began its relationship with the armed services of the Republic of Macedonia in 1994, shortly after the Department of the Army created the National Guard State Partnership Program in 1993. Since 1995, the Republic of Macedonia and the Vermont Guard have participated in more than 200 joint activities, and more than 4000 members of the Macedonian Ministry of Defense have been trained by the Vermont Guard. Macedonia has participated in NATO-led and international military missions in Afghanistan since August 2002, increasing its troop levels there in 2010.…”