Senator Stedmann Hodge Jr. recently sent correspondence to Colonel Kodjo Knox-Limbacker, adjutant general for the Virgin Islands National Guard (VING), pertaining to Virgin Islands National Guard servicemen and servicewomen being called out to territory active military service to aid in their territory’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(Jan. 18, Act 8261) – “An Act to protect members of the Virgin Islands National Guard from Civil Action Court Proceedings while on Territorial Active Military Service for more than 30 days,” was signed into law. Sponsored by Sen. Hodge, the act ensures that our servicemen and servicewomen can focus on the mission at hand and perform their duties at an optimum level.
Nationwide, approximately 14,670 troops with the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard have been mobilized to assist state officials in their response plans. The governors of Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands have each mobilized components of their Army and Air National Guards to aid in their territory’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To date, the COVID19 pandemic has seriously impacted the territory of the Virgin Islands. “I pray that our servicemen and servicewomen called out to Territorial Active Military Service, deployed overseas and positioned at every port, remain safe and be vigilant during this pandemic,” said Hodge.