Wilson Receives G.V. Sonny Montgomery Eagle Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2009

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement after accepting the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Eagle Award. The citation accompanying the award states that it is given “for exceptional meritorious achievement championing legislation critically important to National Guard enlisted men and women, their families, and veterans.”

Congressman Wilson received this year’s award for his legislation pertaining to early retirement benefits for Guard and Reserve members. Under the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), National Guard and Reserve members are able to receive early retirement benefits prior to the age of 60 based on their mobilization for operations overseas. The National Guardsmen and Reservists Parity for Patriots Act introduced by Congressman Wilson makes the law retroactive to September 11, 2001 in order to include service performed prior to enactment of the NDAA. The award also recognizes Congressman Wilson’s continued support for the National Guard Youth Challenge Program.

“As a retired member with sons currently serving in the South Carolina National Guard, I have had a lifelong appreciation of our National Guard members and their dedication to our nation. I am tremendously honored to work on behalf of our brave citizen soldiers – particularly as we have seen our National Guard transition from a strategic reserve to an operation force fighting on the front lines of the War on Terror. They deserve our utmost respect and gratitude.”

“It was an honor to recognize the outstanding support that Congressman Wilson has given the members of the National Guard and his recognition of the sacrifices that our soldiers and airmen have given in the defense of America,” said EANGUS President Command Sergeant Major (Retired) A. Frank Lever III. “It was truly a privilege to honor this fine American.”

The G. V. “Sonny” Montgomery Eagle Award is one of two awards given annually by the Enlisted Association of the National Guard. It is named after Mississippi Congressman G. V. “Sonny” Montgomery.

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