CELEBRATING 140TH ANNIVERSARY OF 28TH INFANTRY DIVISION OF U.S. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 53
(House of Representatives - March 27, 2019)
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[Pages H2838-H2839]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CELEBRATING 140TH ANNIVERSARY OF 28TH INFANTRY DIVISION OF U.S. ARMY
NATIONAL GUARD
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to
recognize the 28th Infantry Division of the United States Army National
Guard as it recently celebrated the anniversary of its 140th year of
serving this Nation.
Its roots in American history were planted long before our Nation's
founding. The 28th Infantry's lineage traces all the way back to when
Benjamin Franklin formed a militia known as the Pennsylvania
Associators. The first meeting of the Associators occurred on November
21, 1747. Franklin organized units to defend the city of Philadelphia
against the French and Spanish privateers.
The 28th Infantry Division is the oldest continuously serving
division in the United States Army. It wasn't until 1879 when the 28th
ID was officially established by Governor Henry Hoyt and designated a
red keystone as its symbol.
Throughout history, the 28th Infantry Division has answered our
country's call to serve in nearly every war. The 28th ID soldiers
fought side by side in the Spanish-American War. They earned the
nickname ``Iron Division'' in the First World War by General John
Pershing after a chivalrous stand in France. This decorated division
still goes by this storied nickname.
The infantrymen stepped ashore at Omaha Beach and were the first
American division to parade through Paris
[[Page H2839]]
after its liberation. They were also deployed for duty during the
Korean war. In present day, its operations have continued in places
like Bosnia, Kosovo, Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
I had the distinct pleasure of meeting these members of the 28th
Division last November in Kuwait, joining them in the mess hall for
Thanksgiving dinner. The division stationed in Kuwait was part of
Operation Spartan Shield. This operation sought to strengthen U.S.
partnerships in the Middle East and support ongoing operations to
defeat ISIS.
Just a few weeks ago, I got to reunite with the 28th ID in Hershey,
Pennsylvania, to celebrate the 140th anniversary. The dinner and
ceremonies were a fitting tribute for a historic part of the United
States military.
Madam Speaker, these men and women continue to build upon the Iron
Division legacy. They are brave, resilient, and well-trained to support
each other in combat and defend our great Nation.
So I say to the men and women of the 28th Infantry Division: Roll on,
28th. Roll on.
Madam Speaker, I congratulate the 28th Infantry Division for 140
years of service, sacrifice, and valor.
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