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Tanks, Humvees, and missile launchers crowed the state capitol today. The machines were there to celebrate the state’s National Guard. Florida has 12-thousand National Guardsmen and women. The soldiers have recently been called to duty in Iraq, Afghanistan, and in clean up efforts after major storms here in Florida. Private Richard Gross, who is scheduled to go Afghanistan in a few months, says

“We feel great appreciation from the people. We’re getting the word out. Letting people know what we are doing,” said Gross.

Defense related spending accounts for 55 billion dollars a year in Florida, which is about seven and a half percent of the state’s domestic output.