Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer traveled to Washington, DC to visit members of the Michigan National Guard as they near the end of their deployment. While on the ground, the governor met with servicemembers during their lunch break to thank them for their service and acknowledge their tremendous sacrifices. Governor Whitmer was joined by U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters and Congresswomen Debbie Dingell and Elissa Slotkin.
“The brave men and women of the Michigan National Guard are professionals who excel at the work they perform, and this time is no different as they answered the call to protect our nation’s Capitol Building,” said Governor Whitmer. “The Michigan National Guard has been called upon in an unprecedented manner over the past year as we responded to COVID-19, natural disasters, and civil unrest. Today’s visit was about showing appreciation for all of their sacrifices over the past couple of months, and an opportunity to recognize some outstanding servicemembers. I am incredibly proud of them and eager for their return home.”
Michigan contributed 1,000 National Guard service members to assist with the ongoing Capitol security efforts with the expectation that their needs would be met. This deployment will run until approximately March 12, 2021, and Governor Whitmer has no plans of agreeing to an extension of this deployment.
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement after joining Governor Whitmer in meeting and eating lunch with the Michigan National Guardsmen who have been deployed to Washington, DC to protect the U.S. Capitol:
“It was an honor to again thank the Michigan National Guard for their service in protecting the Capitol: the very symbol of our democracy. During my interactions with our Michigan Guardsmen throughout their deployment, they demonstrated their commitment and their call to service in stepping up for this mission. Their presence at the Capitol guaranteed that the work of the American people could continue uninterrupted.
“I remain outraged that our Guardsmen were being fed food that was undercooked, unsanitary and inadequate and – in some cases – even making them sick and in need of medical attention. Our Guardsmen deserve better. I have shared my concerns with National Guard leadership and Major General William Walker, Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard. I will continue pressing to ensure our Guardsmen have access to safe and adequate food — they have earned nothing less.
“I can’t thank our Michigan National Guardsmen enough for all they’ve done – not just during this deployment, but throughout the pandemic in distributing life-saving personal protective equipment, supporting vaccine distribution efforts and assisting in response during the catastrophic dam collapse in Midland County. Our state is forever indebted to them.”
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