MARIETTA - The term "weekend warrior" - typically used to describe the one weekend a month service by Georgia National Guard personnel - is "dead," said Brig. Gen. Maria Britt, commanding general of the Georgia Army National Guard.

Britt, the first female general in the 274-year history of the Georgia National Guard, said the Guard's duties have increased exponentially since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. That, in turn, has led to the deployment of 10,000 Georgia National Guard personnel to fight extremist groups in the Middle East.

"We are now an operational force on a necessity to prosecute this conflict that will no doubt transcend generations," said Britt, 47.

Britt was the keynote speaker at Saturday morning's Veterans' Celebration Brunch at the Atlanta Hilton/Marietta Conference Center. The event was presented by the Cobb County Republican Women's Club, Cobb Republican Party and Cobb Regional Republican Women's Club.

The purpose of the ceremony was to honor military veterans, and it included a number of tributes. Those in attendance included U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-east Cobb), U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Marietta), U.S. Rep. Tom Price (R-Roswell), Cobb GOP Chairman Scott Johnson, CCRW President Tonya Boga and military veterans.

As commander of the Georgia Army Guard, Britt oversees 11,250 Guard soldiers. The state's Army Guard is a component of the Georgia Guard, commanded by Maj. Gen. William Nesbitt, adjutant general.

"We are still citizen soldiers," Britt said.

"Our soldiers, airmen and airwomen are teachers, doctors, nurses, lawyers, politicians, power plant managers, accountants, police officers and so many other professions. And it is with this diversity that we bring special capabilities to the defense of our state and nation."

In her address, Britt was candid about the heavy toll of war on the Georgia Guard. She described it as "one of the most dangerous periods in our history."

Currently, there are 3,100 Georgia Army Guard personnel deployed, mostly in Afghanistan, Britt said. In the last five months, she reported that eight have died. The latest was Staff Sgt. Alex French IV, 31, of Milledgeville. He died on Sept. 30 in Kwhost, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked with an improvised-explosive device. He was buried on Oct. 10.

"Over seven children of National Guard soldiers did not celebrate Father's Day for the first time this year," said Britt. She recalled presenting flags to French's 5-year-old twins and 2-year-old daughter at his burial.

"I can tell you that the memory of those children, holding our Stars and Stripes on their laps, will be seared on my heart forever," Britt told the packed audience.

Britt said the National Guard will continue to rely on its citizen soldiers. She said the Georgia Guard is proud to now be a part of the Cobb community, noting its official move to Marietta in September.

Ever more so, Britt said she considers herself blessed to live in America.

The granddaughter of Italian immigrants, Britt, a New York native, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1983. She was in the fourth class of women to be admitted to West Point. She married fellow guardsman Timothy Britt, who served in Afghanistan and was promoted to brigadier general on Oct. 3. They have three daughters.

"Freedom is not free. The men and women of the United States military have freely chosen to protect us and preserve this rich legacy for us and our children," Britt said.

"This is a gift that can never be reciprocated in full and only asks for remembrance and return. Today, we have certainly done that. So this morning, let us reflect on the common thread, the character of the generations of brave military (personnel) who put their boots on the ground in defense of our American ideals."