Two Inducted Into Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Hall of Fame

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs recognized the service and support of U.S. Representative Tim Holden and Brig. Gen. Dennis T. Guise (PA Retired), as they were inducted today into the department's Hall of Fame at Fort Indiantown Gap.

Rep. Holden was unable to attend the ceremony and will be inducted at a later date.

Holden, of St. Clair, Schuylkill County, has been an ardent supporter of service persons, as well as DMVA's mission, and has worked tirelessly to further the cause of individual soldiers and airmen in the Pennsylvania National Guard. Through his leadership, he has forged a strong bipartisan effort to introduce and execute many legislative accomplishments and benefits available to the veterans and members of the military community.

The eight National Guard facilities in Holden's 17th Congressional district have allowed him to work closely with soldiers, airmen and their senior leaders in pursuing programs to upgrade equipment, facilities and troop support.

Maj. General Jessica L. Wright, the state's adjutant general, specifically noted Rep. Holden's extensive and productive commitment to the Stryker Brigade Combat Team and the modernization of the unique EC-130 Commando Solo flying mission.

"His continued efforts on our behalf to obtain military construction funds to improve the quality of life for and further the readiness of the Pennsylvania National Guard have been and continue to be invaluable," said Maj. Gen. Wright. "We are indebted to him for continually placing the Pennsylvania National Guard at the forefront of his legislative priorities."

Wright added that Rep. Holden's travel to combat theaters of operation and frequent personal attendance at numerous troop-recognition events during Pennsylvania's myriad deployments make him an integral part of the DVMA and PNG family.

Guise, of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, retired as the Staff Judge Advocate for the Pennsylvania Air National Guard with the rank of colonel. He received an honorary promotion to Brigadier General on the retired list of the Pennsylvania National Guard.

As a former senior judge advocate, Guise was intensively involved with many legal and legislative issues. He helped develop the Pennsylvania Support for the Guard and Reserve legislative package enacted during the first Persian Gulf War and he also helped draft the legislation responsible for today's successful Educational Assistance Program.

He currently serves as chief counsel for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, where he is responsible for providing a wide range of legal services to the adjutant general and DMVA on state-law related issues.

When Governor Edward G. Rendell outlined an initiative to pursue an extensive "Support our Troops" legislative package in 2004, Guise played a leading role in drafting and supporting the legislation. He worked on the legislation that laid the groundwork for the Persian Gulf Veterans' Bonus program and worked with Pennsylvania's veterans groups to encourage voter approval of the bond issue.

"Whether the issue was providing legal advice and assistance to our veterans' homes, a legislative proposal to protect child custody rights of deployed Guardsmen or the rules governing state honorary promotions, be assured that Dennis was involved," said Wright. "His quick wit, wry sense of humor and uncanny ability to think on his feet continually make him our go-to man."

The DMVA Hall of Fame, established in 1998, recognizes unique and exemplary contributions to the department and/or to the Pennsylvania National Guard. This award not only recognizes significant achievements, but also the honor and prestige an individual has brought upon the department, the Pennsylvania National Guard and Pennsylvania veterans. Election into the Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the department.

For more information, visit www.dmva.state.pa.us.

Media contact: Joan Z. Nissley, 717-861-8720

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

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