RICHMOND, Va. – Dozens of delegates, senators and staff joined with over 100 Soldiers, Airmen, employees of the Dept. of Military Affairs, and members of the gubernatorial administration gathered for the Virginia National Guard’s 10th annual reception Feb. 17, 2022, at the Library of Virginia.
The reception followed the 2022 installment of the Adjutant General’s Distinguished Speaker Series featuring the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Craig C. Crenshaw.
“The reception is a phenomenal way to connect our elected officials and the Soldiers and Airmen of the Virginia National Guard,” explained Andrew J. Czaplicki, VNGA President. “There’s a ton of legislation and policies that are proposed that directly, or indirectly, affect the Guard. This is just one way to connect the dots and help fill in some of the gaps.”
The event kicked off with Czaplicki welcoming the attendees and explaining why 2021 was the “Year of the Guard,” which was the reception’s theme.
“Our Soldiers and Airmen are doing awe inspiring things just about everywhere on the planet—the kinds of things that’ll be written in history books forever,” Czaplicki said in his opening remarks. “Our Nation, and our Commonwealth, continue to ask more and more of them each year. These troops are patriots and heroes. Without your support, without your leadership and without the benefits richly deserved and generously afforded to them, we couldn’t do the things this world has demanded of them.”
Virginia National Guard has seen tremendous domestic and overseas utilization since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Domestically, Virginia’s Soldiers and Airmen supported point prevalence and community-based testing, food and supply distribution, protective equipment delivery and fitting, as well as providing support to law enforcement.
Over 2,000 troops have deployed overseas as part of larger campaigns to combat extremism, terrorism and in support of humanitarian actions.
“There have been four great mobilizations of the Virginia National Guard: the first, in World War I in 1919; the second, in World War 2 in 1941; the third, in the Afghanistan Surge in 2007; and, the global surge in 2022.”
Virginia’s Army and Air National Guard formations have been deployed across the globe in support of Combatant Commanders in the Balkans, the Horn of Africa, and throughout the Middle East.
This year’s reception included the presentation of the Virginia National Guard Historical Foundation’s “Society of Saint-Lô” medals to generous individuals dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Virginia National Guard. The inaugural inductees are: Roddy and Cindy Davoud, CMSgt. (Ret.) Jay Ellis, and Brig. Gen. James Ring.
Following the presentation, Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the 28th Adjutant General of Virginia, introduced the Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Craig C. Crenshaw, the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs. After his brief remarks, Sec. Crenshaw introduced Governor Glenn Youngkin.
The evening wrapped up in a flurry of photographs with leaders and a dinner to honor the legislators and recognize the achievements of the Virginia National Guard.
Full-scale replicas of two Mexican-American flags that underwent significant preservation efforts undertaken by the Dept. of Military Affairs’ historical team were also on display.
The 2022 recipient of the annual Brig. Gen. Edward M. Hudgins Award for legislative achievement and dedicated service will be announced at the annual Virginia National Guard Conference held July 28-31, 2022, at the Richmond Marriott.
Reporters, Editors & Producers: Leaders are available for interviews or to appear as subject matter experts on issues related to the Virginia National Guard Association. Email contact@vnga.us to schedule an interview or appearance.
About VNGA: Established in 1960, the Virginia National Guard Association is a recognized non-profit non-partisan 501(c)(19) veterans’ service association representing over 10,000 Service Members of all ranks and status; enlisted, warrant and officer; traditional, active duty and retired.
Dozens of delegates, senators and staff joined with over 100 Soldiers, Airmen, employees of the Dept. of Military Affairs, and members of the gubernatorial administration gathered for the Virginia National Guard’s 10th annual reception Feb. 17, 2022, at the Library of Virginia.