At StateDefenseForce.com, we believe that history is one of our most precious resources. It not only connects us to those who came before but also guides and inspires the generations that follow. For State Defense Forces, history is especially important. Our organizations have stood as pillars of service and dedication to their states and to our great nation through entire World Wars, natural disasters, and countless moments of need.
While many recognize 1917 as the year when the first official “Home Guard” formations appeared during World War I, the roots of State Defense Forces stretch back much further. Some units predate that moment by over a century. One of which is the Connecticut Governor’s Guards, whose history can be traced to all the way back to 1775—to the very days of the first shots that rang out at Lexington and Concord, beginning The American Revolution. These early formations remind us that the tradition of citizen-soldiers defending their communities has been a cornerstone of American life since the founding.
Preserving this history is no small task. That is why our nonprofit organization, the State Guard & Defense Force Council (also known as StateDefenseForce.com), is creating a new division dedicated solely to this mission. This department will gather historical mission reports, legacy articles, organizational records, and newspaper clippings spanning from World War I and World War II all the way to the 2017, which is the 100 year anniversary of State Defense Forces. It will also highlight stories of service, honor, and sacrifice that might otherwise be forgotten. For now, this initiative is being called the Historical Department—but we want to give it a permanent name that reflects its importance and scope.
This brings us to today’s poll. Since many of you are currently serving in and supporting State Defense Forces, you are directly contributing to the history that future generations will study. We want you to have a voice in shaping how this new department will be recognized and remembered.
So for this weeks poll we are holding two polls, What should we officially call our new Historical Department? And what website should it be linked to for the public to explore?
- The Historical Corps – historicalcorps.org
- The Historical Department – historicaldepartment.org
- The State Defense Force Historical Archive – SDFArchive.org
- The Center for State Defense Force History – SDFHistory.org
- State Guard Historical Institute – GuardHistory.org
- The Heritage Division – SDFHeritage.org
- National State Defense Force Historical Department – NSDFHistory.org
Your input will help ensure that this department becomes not just a resource for researchers and service members, but also a living tribute to the enduring legacy of State Defense Forces.