South Burlington, Vermont - July 15, 2007 
WCAX Television


The National Guard serves a dual role, on the federal level as a reserve force, and on the state level as a local
readiness force prepared to deal with floods and natural disasters. 

Vermont political leaders helped dedicate a new building that will be used, in part, for a third role.
The Vermont Guard supports a program for school-age kids called Starbase. It's also funded privately. Starbase 
promotes the value of science and mathematics.

"Anything we can do for Starbase, which in turn helps local communities inspire young people to be better than they 
are, to reach for dreams, to learn about math, science and technology. That's our way to assist in our third mission
 -- helping local communities," said Vermont Guard Commander, Maj. Gen. Mike Dubie. 

The new building came at a cost of $2.4 million which was secured by Sen. Patrick Leahy. It's the latest of several 
building projects on the Guard side of the Burlington International Airport. The building, which is described as 
energy-efficient, will also serve as a training center for Guard deployments.