Post-September 11th mobilization display
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1714″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeIn”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Family and friends along with current and past members of the Guard toured the museum that featured artifacts donated from the various recent mission and conflicts since 9/11.
“The impact of 9/11 was immense on the Maryland National Guard and our historic role in the defense of America,” said Maj. Gen. James A. Adkins, the adjutant general of Maryland. “Overnight the National Guard went from a strategic reserve to an operational force. Since 9/11 we have deployed more than 10,600 Soldiers and Airmen in support of every major operation at home and abroad. We have a beautiful collection here from all the deployments.”
One of the mannequins on display was the likeness of Staff Sgt. Michael J. McMullen, who was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for gallantry for the events on December 24, 2005, while serving in Iraq with the 243rd Engineer Company of the Maryland Army National Guard.
“This is a happy day for me to see my son’s image, and to know that he will be remembered,” said Dave McMullen, father of Michael. “This is also sad, it brings us back to the last time we said good-bye.”
The Maryland National Guard has a distinguished history. Maryland Soldiers held the line and protected General Washington’s Army in 1776 at the battle of Long Island. Just after the attack on the Pentagon, the Maryland Guard rushed members of the military policemen there to protect the site. Guard Chaplains provided spiritual support during the recovery effort. Maryland Soldiers helped manage the air space around the Pentagon with their air traffic controllers.
The Maryland Guard has traversed the rugged mountains of Afghanistan in search of the world’s most wanted terrorists, traveled IED-laden roads in Iraq, guarded prisoners in Guantanamo Bay, flew close air support mission for troops in contact with the enemy and conducted emergency resupply during combat operations. Maryland Soldiers and Airmen have refurbished schools for children in Bosnia, provided medical help to those who needed it most in Senegal and the Dominican Republic, and helped keep a precious peace in Kosovo and the Sinai and supporting humanitarian efforts in the Horn of Africa.
Marylanders everywhere can take great pride in the men and women of the Guard who time and again answer the call to service overseas. All during these overseas deployments they have been able to respond to the needs of the Governor here at home. The Guard has also taken care of their neighbors at home during back-to-back blizzards and ice storms that crippled the region. They were also called for the flooding and extreme snow and ice from Hurricane Sandy.
The museum is open to the public; visitors are encouraged to call to schedule an appointment due to limited staffing and hours of operation. The phone number is 410-576-1496 or visit the website at http://www.marylandmilitaryhistory.org/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]