Legislature hears State of the National Guard speech from Major General Douglas Farnham

​On Tuesday, February 18, Major General Douglas Farnham used his annual state of the National Guard speech to lawmakers to praise past and current members of the Guard and its predecessor, the Maine Militia. Farnham spoke highly of several current Guard members who have contributed to the state and nation, including Master Sergeant Rick Martell of the Air Guard, who volunteered past his 60th birthday to continue to serve on air refueling tankers. Farnham pointed out that Joshua Chamberlain was not only a civil war hero but also led the Maine militia to respond to state problems. Also of note, 11 percent of Mainers have served in the military, one of the highest percentages in the nation.