Press Releases

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Tionee Scotland

March 6^th, 2024                                                   340-201-6453

Press Release

PLASKETT HOSTS VIRGIN ISLANDS NATIONAL GUARD BRIGADIER GENERAL SALLY PETTY FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN’S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

National Guard Brigadier General Sally Petty is the First Female Assistant Adjutant General of the Virgin Islands National Guard. 

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett will be joined by National Guard Brigadier General Sally E. Petty, as her guest to President Biden’s State of the Union Address to Congress on Thursday, March 7^th, 2024. 

As the first woman assistant adjutant general of the Virgin Islands National Guard and only the second to rise to the rank of brigadier general in the guard’s 50-year existence, General Petty’s historic milestone is the epitome of what fellow guardsmen and women can achieve. Described as an audacious officer, General Petty exceeds standards and has completed numerous deployments and has received the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit and Joint Meritorious Service Awards. 

Congresswoman Plaskett shared, “I am honored that General Petty will join me as my guest at President Biden’s State of the Union address.  This past year has been a special year in our Virgin Island National Guard, celebrating 50 years of service to our nation, I was happy to introduce a House Resolution to honor the Virgin Islands National Guard on its 50^th anniversary and celebrate the service and sacrifice of our guardsmen and women. Early in the year, I was so proud to visit with our guardsmen and women deployed in Qatar.  

“General Petty follows other great women in the Virgin Islands who have served in our military – Ruby Rouss, one of the first aide-de-camps of General Dwight Eisenhower during World War II, Caroline Fawkes, the first woman to fly the C-23B Sherpa military transport aircraft and Debra Howell, the V.I. National Guard’s former Territorial Adjutant General. General Petty also boasts 18 years as an educator and 15 plus years as a school administrator.” 

General Petty shared, “On behalf of the servicemembers of the Virgin Islands National Guard, it is an honor to receive an invitation from the Honorable Stacey E. Plaskett to join her at President Joseph Biden's State of the Union Address. As we observe Women's History Month 2024, I am humbled to represent our territory as the first female Assistant Adjutant General for the Virgin Islands National Guard. Women continue to make positive strides not only in the military but all aspects of our community, and I applaud them.”

Adjutant General of the Virgin Islands National Guard, Kodjo Knox-Limbacker stated, “It is such a great honor to have our first female Assistant Adjutant General (ATAG) for the Virgin Islands National Guard attend the State of the Union Address with Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett during Women’s History Month. Brigadier General Sally Petty’s intellectual prowess and leadership as a high school principal and ATAG continues to inspire students and service members to be all they can be in their chosen professions and in our communities.  I am very proud of her and extremely pleased that I selected her to serve as my ATAG.”

“Trailblazing women such as General Petty are breaking through the glass ceiling and inspiring future generations in the Virgin Islands. It’s only fitting that during Virgin Islands History Month and Women’s History Month, I have her accompany me as my special guest for the State of the Union address,” said Congresswoman Plaskett.

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