February I. 1967

13' (ORANDUM FOR WILL SPARKS

I heartily approve of the proposal that the President
afford special recognition to the Air National Guard
upon completion of their 1. 000th trans-port mission

from the United States to south Vietnam.

Members of the National "iuard have a tremendous
pride in their organization. stimulated in part by
their continuing fight {or survival as an organisation.

Senator Edward Kennedy recently commented that the
National Guard neither guards nor trains. This was a
gratuitous insult and touched a very sensitive nerve.

The President's remarks should encourage their pride
in their organisation and. in particular. this achieve-
ment. without committing him in any substantive way on

the future of the organisation -- that not being here an
issue.

Farris Bryant

Attachment returned

FBzabb