U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie today received the Harry S. Truman award for meritorious service to the military from the National Guard Association of the United States.

Representing nearly 45,000 current and former guard officers, the association presented the award at its national convention in Nashville, Tenn.

“Your dedication, leadership and tireless efforts have provided exemplary support to the soldiers, airmen and families of our military and the National Guard,” the citation reads. “Your patriotism is unquestionable and your deeds have championed our cause for the National Guard Association of the United States.”

Past recipients of the Truman award include U.S. presidents, military leaders and members of Congress. U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye received the Truman award in 1991.

“All of you have worked selflessly and at great risk to serve our nation,” Abercrombie said in a prepared statement. "I am tremendously grateful to receive the Truman Award, and I will continue to honor your service by doing everything we must do for you in Congress.”
The association was created in 1878 to provide unified National Guard representation in Washington, and petition Congress for better equipment and training. Abercrombie serves on the U.S. House Armed Services Committee and chairs its subcommittee on Air and Land Forces.
The Guard has provided half of the troops serving in Iraq, and some guard units were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan a second and third time.
According to the Truman Award citation, Abercrombie had to fight “powerful and influential voices in Washington D.C.” to accomplish his mission. “He took nearly $1 billion away from Pentagon high tech weapons programs to meet the immediate needs of our men and women in combat, targeting $800 million to rearming and re-equipping National Guard units.”

The Truman citation said Abercrombie also supported yearly military pay raises, better retirement benefits, health care improvements and modern housing.

He also helped save the National Guard Youth Challenge program that identifies at risk youth and provides them with values, skills, education and self-discipline necessary to succeed as adults. “When its annual funding was cut in 1999, he put the money back in the Defense Authorization bill, and it remains viable today,” the citation said.