I congratulate the National Guard on its 371st birthday. These devoted citizen-soldiers are tremendous partners in helping to secure the homeland. The men and women of the National Guard have enabled Border Patrol agents to return to the field as part of Operation Jump Start, and they helped in exceeding our goal of constructing more than 145 miles of fencing at the southern border. More recently, the National Guard assisted FEMA in response to the southern California wildfires - setting up shelters, delivering supplies, fighting fires and rescuing those in harm's way.

On behalf of my colleagues at the Department of Homeland Security and a grateful nation, I offer my deepest appreciation and thanks to the National Guard for 371 years of extraordinary service to our country, both at home and abroad.