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The
Herald
Published: Tuesday, March
18, 2003
'Lawmakers
Sign A Banner For The Washington National Guard'
Cathy Logg,
Herald Writer
 Sen. Dave Schmidt today will present a signed banner in support of Washington troops serving in the war against terrorism to Brig. Gen. Gordon Toney, assistant adjutant general and commander of the Washington Army National Guard.
"They are our neighbors, our police chiefs, our clerks, our accountants and our doctors, but when called upon, they become a line of defense for our country.
"Now duty has called, and I believe it is imperative that we unite behind them; that they know and feel our support as they fulfill the call of duty," Schmidt said.
Several Republican and Democrat senators were to sign the 8-foot-by-3-foot banner that says, "Proud Americans Proud of You. From individual members of the Washington State Senate."
Schmidt, R-Mill Creek, will make the presentation in a Senate hearing room in Olympia. The banner will be sent to soldiers.
Schmidt also will present a formal copy of Senate Resolution 8606, which honors the Washington National Guard.
Schmidt has been a member of the Army National Guard for 20 years and was activated during the Persian Gulf War and the events following the terrorist attacks in September 2001.
Schmidt watched President Bush's televised speech Monday.
"It was pretty straightforward and pretty clear. He says 48 hours," Schmidt said.
The time for waiting is over, he said, adding, "We've been waiting for 12 years."
As an active member of the National Guard, Schmidt still could get called to action.
"They have about 500 positions that are not filled," Schmidt said.
Schmidt knows Arlington City Councilman Dan Anderson, who is a State Patrol trooper and member of the Army's special forces unit.
"He's been in Kuwait about three months now," Schmidt said.
Anderson e-mails him every couple of weeks, and his last message said future e-mails may be delayed as training was ending, and he was moving to a new location.
"All we know is that they are in an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia," Schmidt said.
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