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VETS News Release: [11/14/2003]
Contact Name: Mike
Biddle
Phone Number: (202) 693-5051
Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Honors America’s
Veterans and Adopts D.C. National Guard
WASHINGTON—U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao was joined by
U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi at the Department of
Labor’s “Salute to Veterans and Their Families” ceremony. At the
ceremony, Secretary Chao announced that the Department of Labor is adopting the
District of Columbia National Guard. The theme of this year’s ceremony is
“Veterans and their families: A legacy of service and sacrifice.”
“Today is a special day to remember and thank all our veterans for
their brave service in protecting and preserving the freedoms and liberties
that we enjoy every day in our country,” said Secretary Chao.
Under the partnership with the D.C. National Guard, the Department of
Labor will recognize the contributions of the unit's service members, their
families, and employers. The Department will also look for ways to support the
unit and their families when the unit is deployed. Modeled after the VFW's
“Adopt-a-Unit” program, this initiative is similar to those of
several other federal agencies. The Department of Interior adopted the
101st Airborne Division and the 10th Mountain Division,
and the Office of Personnel Management adopted the U.S.S. Theodore
Roosevelt.
Commenting on the “Adopt-A-Unit” presentation to his command,
Maj. Gen. David Wherley, commanding general of the District of Columbia
National Guard said, “The D.C. National Guard is honored to be adopted by
the Department of Labor. Our men and women, the ‘Capital Guardians,’
take pride in the support we give to the nation and the District of Columbia
and feel a sense of gratitude by this adoption.”
In addition to Maj. Gen. David Wherley, the Secretaries were joined at
today’s ceremony by Robert Ravener, vice president for Human Resources at
Home Depot. The U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard presented the colors, children
from Department of Labor’s YMCA Child Development Center led the audience
in a pledge of allegiance, and the W.D. Woodson Senior High School Choir
performed a musical tribute.
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