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Legislature holds joint session to honor Oklahoma National Guard; governor proclaims April 8, 2025 Oklahoma National Guard Appreciation Day
Summary
A joint session of the Oklahoma Legislature heard remarks from Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino and Gov. J. Kevin Stitt honoring the Oklahoma National Guard. The governor issued a proclamation declaring April 8, 2025, as Oklahoma National Guard Appreciation Day; the proclamation text was read on the floor.
A joint session of the Oklahoma House and Senate on April 8 convened to honor the Oklahoma National Guard and mark anniversaries tied to the Guard’s history and service.
Major General Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general of the Oklahoma National Guard, addressed the joint session and reviewed historical milestones he said shaped the Guard’s legacy, including the 45th Infantry Division’s role in World War II and the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. Mancino said of the division’s World War II service: “On 04/29/1945, the 45th Infantry Division etched its name in the annals of history, as they converged on Dachau.”
Gov. J. Kevin Stitt joined the session and praised the Guard’s role in emergency response and disaster relief across the state, saying, “The guard isn’t just a military unit. It's an essential part of Oklahoma's emergency response system.” He cited Guard assistance after the Oklahoma City bombing, during tornadoes, ice storms, floods and the COVID‑19 pandemic, and thanked members for their service.
Chief Master Sergeant Scott Erwin read a proclamation prepared by the governor’s office that stated, in part, “I, J. Kevin Stitt, governor of the state of Oklahoma, do hereby proclaim 04/08/2025 as Oklahoma National Guard Appreciation Day.” The proclamation text delivered on the floor summarized Guard activities during the April 19, 1995, bombing response and credited more than 1,000 guardsmen who assisted in search, recovery, security and support operations.
Procedural motions in the joint session included a motion to treat the senate's attendance roll call as the roll call for the joint session and a motion to dissolve the joint session; both motions were adopted by voice vote.
Ending The joint session was dissolved and the House reconvened its regular session. No legislative changes, appropriations or new statutory directives were presented during the joint session; the event consisted of ceremonial remarks, the reading of the governor’s proclamation and recognition of Guard members in the galleries.
