The Historical Society of the Georgia National Guard, the organization dedicated to preserving the heritage of the Georgia’s armed forces, is starting its 2004 loyalty fund drive and offering special incentives for those who wish to join this year.

Annual individual membership is $35, Joint $45, with persons over the age of 55 qualifying for senior membership fee of $25.

To join the society contact John Hardwick at 6451, email: john.hardwick@ga.ngb.army.mil, Beryl Diamond, at 6065, email: beryl.diamond@ga.ngb.army.mil or retired Brig. Gen. Tom Dalton at daltonjrt@wmconnect.com

This year, those who contribute $50 or $100 beyond the annual membership fee are entitled to one of two signed and numbered original montages produced especially for the Historical Society.

For those contributing $50 beyond the annual membership, Staff Sgt. Gail Parnelle, whose art has appeared in galleries and art shows across the nation, is creating a montage depicting troops engaged in Operation Noble Eagle.

Lieutenant Col. Ken Baldowski, prominent Guard caricaturist, is creating a montage of Army and Air Guardsmen participating in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. His work will available to those contributing $100.

Anyone contributing $130 or more will receive a copy of both montages.

Over the past years the Historical Society has restored and exhibited several artillery pieces, collected artifacts from Guardsmen for eventual display in a Guard museum, and expanded its library and holdings of original documents. The society’s most recent project centers on the acquisition and restoration of an F-86L Sabre Jet flown by the Georgia Air National Guard in the 1950s.

Additionally, the Society sponsors the annual Georgia Guard historian’s workshop and an annual historical conference where Guardsmen and the public discuss Guard history.