Alaska Territorial Guard Day
Effective Date: Thursday, October 18th, 2012
WHEREAS, the Alaska Territorial Guard was formed following the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, when Territorial Governor Earnest Gruening ordered that troops be recruited across Alaska to face the possible threat of foreign invasion; and
WHEREAS, Major Marvin “Muktuk” Marston and Major Carl Scheibner undertook the task of enlisting volunteers “from Metlakatla to Barrow,” ultimately adding over 6,000 men and women to the cause of guarding Alaska; and
WHEREAS, each of these men and women, a large majority of whom were Alaska Natives, answered the call to arms, many of them experienced frontiersmen knowledgeable in wilderness and winter survival. Their extraordinary abilities proved critical to fulfilling the mission of the United States Army as they guarded over 5,200 miles of Alaskan coastline and conducted reconnaissance; and
WHEREAS, the Territorial Guardsmen served as soldiers from 1941 to 1947 without pay or provisions. Their selfless service represented the truest dedication to their homeland and families, and the essence of the spirit of Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the Alaska Territorial Guard was not recognized as a military unit until 2000, when legislation sponsored by the late Senator Ted Stevens formally designated their service as active federal service eligible for veteran benefits and formal discharge papers. Over a thousand Territorial Guardsmen have since received their discharge papers; and
WHEREAS, on October 18 of each year, we “acknowledge and commemorate the service of the members of the Alaska Territorial Guard in defense of Alaska and the United States during World War II,” in accordance with Alaska Statute.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sean Parnell, Governor of the State of Alaska, do hereby proclaim October 18, 2012 as:
Alaska Territorial Guard Day
in Alaska, and urge all Alaskans to honor the members of the Alaska Territorial Guard, recognizing their significant role in our state’s history, and appreciate our heritage and freedoms as Alaskans.
Dated: September 13, 2012
