The 49th Armored Division seamlessly assumed their role from the active duty forces who preceded them and went on to perform their work with distinction. Our Guard and Reserve troops have proven their important role in national defense. Our soldiers not only gained the experience of an actual peacekeeping deployment, they brought skills and knowledge from real world business experiences that enhanced their performance and made them very valuable resources in the field. I applaud their service to our country as they bring those skills back to Texas. Any deployment, whether active duty, guard, or reserve, is a hardship for those who are left behind.
Families are obviously the ones who suffer most.
But when the 49th left, many Texas employers had gaps in their workforce and remaining employees were left to pick up the slack. I appreciate the sacrifices these families, employers, and co-workers made to support our troops while they were deployed in service to our nation, and I ask you to join me in welcoming them home.