The Pentagon has revealed a newly designed corridor display honoring the National Guard and recognizing the organization's 380-year history.
The display, located in a frequently visited corridor, was opened on Sept. 29 and has been in the works since 2013, according to a representative from the National Guard Bureau. The ceremonial ribbon was cut by current Chief of the National Guard Bureau Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, USAF and the former chief, Gen. Frank Grass, USA (Ret.).
"What a magnificent piece of work, telling a magnificent story about our nation and our military and about the continually evolving piece of who we are as the National Guard," Lengyel said.
"This tells our story since the first militia mustered in 1636, and you have to keep telling that story," Grass said.
The display includes 17 painting reproductions, and more than 60 photographs. One side of the corridor lays out the Guard's history in chronological order, while the other side focuses on current operations and will be updated as need be.
An estimated 121,000 visitors will see the display during Pentagon public tours each year, according to Lengyel.
Lengyel also praised the National Guard's ability to continually adapt to its mission.
"I know that in the future we will adapt and change," Lengyel said. "We are a warfighting reserve in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force and we are America's domestic crisis response force, and we are very proud of that."
During the ribbon cutting ceremony, the National Guard's senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Kepner, USA, spoke of the organization's history of bravery.
"The hallway reflects the bravery and the commitment of our Soldiers and our Airmen throughout our great history, and that is the history that our Soldiers and Airmen stand on today"