Funding the Guard

Since the terrorist attacks four years ago, National Guard units have played a vital role, both in the war on terror and in response to natural disasters here at home. And the National Guard would have even more demands on troop strength and equipment if another act of terrorism should occur.

Because of the National Guard's involvement in so many ways, armories in all 50 states have been depleted of vital equipment. In response, Missouri's U.S. Sen. Kit Bond and Vermont's U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, co-chairmen of the Senate's National Guard Caucus, have asked President Bush to include $1.3 billion for National Guard equipment in the next supplemental spending bill.

National Guard forces make up nearly 50 percent of the current U.S. combat force and more than 40 percent of U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

There are 80,000 National Guard troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and almost 50,000 National Guard troops are responding to special needs in the Gulf Coast states recently devastated by hurricanes.

While in Cape Girardeau last week, Bond said National Guard units have a "serious shortage" of equipment.

In face of these convincing statistics, Congress should give serious consideration to any request for additional funding made by the president.