North Dakota Guardian Dec 2014

GUARDIANNorth Dakota

Volume 7, Issue 12 December 2014

HEROAIRMANPatrolmancitizenfatherHUSBAND

Master Sgt. Grant Lonski, of the 119th Security Forces Squadron, rescues woman from freezing waters PG. 6

Fight the Holiday Bulge with 12 Days of Fitness

ALSO INSIDE:

PG. 8

Need 360,000 Gallons of Water in 24 Hours?

PG. 10

Recent Enlistee Proudto Extend Family Legacy

PG. 14

DepartmentsGuardian Snapshots ..................... News Briefs .....................................Sound Off! .....................................

Page 18 2Page 23

Interact With Us!See even more N.D. National Guard highlights at our social media sites, and share your thoughts!

www.youtube.com/NDNationalGuard

www.flickr.com/photos/NDGuard www.facebook.com/NDNationalGuard

www.twitter.com/NDNationalGuard

On the Cover

Inside This IssueFeatures

The North Dakota Guardian is an authorized publication for members, families and retirees of the N.D. National Guard.

• Contents of the North Dakota Guardian are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, or the Department of the Army or Air Force.

• Editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Joint Force Headquarters, N.D. National Guard ( JFND) Public Affairs Officer.

• Printed by United Printing, a private firm in no way connected to the U.S. Government under exclusive written contract with the JFND. Reproduction is by the offset method with a circulation of approximately 4,900.

• The North Dakota Guardian is published by the JFND Public Information Office, Box 5511, Bismarck, N.D. 58506-5511, 701.333.2007

ARTICLE SUBMISSIONSContributions to the North Dakota Guardian are encouraged! Send articles, photos and art to Editor, JFND PIO, Box 5511, Bismarck, N.D. 58506-5511. Electronic submissions are preferred. Please e-mail stories in Word format to: [email protected]: 701-333-2195 Fax: 701-333-2017Digital photos should be 300 dpi, if possible.

Commander in ChiefNorth Dakota Governor

Jack Dalrymple

The Adjutant GeneralMaj. Gen. David A. Sprynczynatyk

Chief of Public AffairsSgt. 1st Class Billie Jo Lorius

EditorSgt. Jennifer Joyce

ContributorsChaplain (Capt.) Brock Sailer

Capt. Jeff Hoffer1st Lt. Cathy Peterson2nd Lt. Eric Jungels

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kiel SkagerChief Warrant Officer 4 Nathan V. Clarys

Senior Master Sgt. David LippStaff Sgt. Eric W. Jensen

Staff Sgt. Brett MillerStaff Sgt. Sara Marchus

Staff Sgt. Nathanael BaardsonBill Prokopyk

Master Sgt. Grant Lonski, of the 119th Security Forces Squadron, visits the accident scene that he responded to while performing his full-time North Dakota Highway Patrol duties near Churchs Ferry. Here, Lonski was able to pull 81-year-old accident victim Merti Kurtti from freezing cold water in the ditch behind him.

8 Water dogs train tokeep liquid flowing

Water purification Soldiers are vital to contingency operations around the world. To train and refine their skills in water purification, members of the Grand Forks-based 132nd Quartermaster Company convened last month at Camp Grafton Training Center in Devils Lake.

Photo by Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp,119th Wing

4 Bringing upthe past

James Edgar Jenkins, wounded at Gettysburg, would go on to become the Dakota Territory’s fifth adjutant general. Read the first in a three-part series about North Dakota’s past Guard commanders.

10 Enjoy the holidayswith this in mind

The holidays are a time for celebration, cheer and — for many — stress. With so many fun activities and opportunities for over-indulgence, how can we focus on making low-risk decisions and effectively managing stress?

F Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk

North Dakota Adjutant General

VIEW FROM THE TOPA Message from the Adjutant General

The Holiday Spirit Resides in Family, Community

From our family to yours, Connie and I wish you all the joy of the holiday season. It’s the culmination of another year when we can renew our spirits in the warm embrace of family and friends. We hope you will take this time to appreciate the blessings experienced by being with loved ones.

Within our Guard Family, we’ve had a chance to celebrate the return of multiple units from stateside and overseas operations. Throughout 2014, we welcomed home more than 300 Soldiers and Airmen who can enjoy the holidays with their loved ones.

Currently, we have about 15 Guard members deployed overseas, primarily with the 231st Battalion Logistical Support Element. Families, friends and fellow Soldiers and Airmen wished the unit Godspeed during a send-off ceremony in September. Please remember to keep them, and their families, in your thoughts and prayers while they fulfill this important mission.

In addition to carrying out federal missions worldwide, we continue to build relationships with our stakeholders and citizens in North Dakota. We also continue

to extend our partnerships in locations abroad through our State Partnership Program. This year, we celebrated 10 years of partnering with Ghana, a collaboration that has linked more than 300 of our Soldiers, Airmen and North Dakota civilians with Ghanaian counterparts over the course of 135 events and exchanges. We broadened our participation in the State Partnership Program early in 2014 by announcing new partnerships with the Togolese Republic and Republic of Benin. The North Dakota National Guard is an ideal partner for these countries because of our diverse and unique mission capabilities. We are excited about what the future holds as we continue to learn from one another.

As North Dakotans, this year we celebrated 125 years of statehood. As an organization, we had the opportunity to look back on our own legacy, which began with the formation of the Dakota Territorial Militia in 1862, years before our state’s acceptance into the union. North Dakota’s pioneers had to be versatile and resilient to contend with the struggles presented by the rugged, unpredictable environment of the plains, and reliance on family was

paramount. Our Soldiers and Airmen reflect those same characteristics today: versatility, resilience and family-focus.

As we look to the New Year, please make a special effort to support one another. Be there for your wingmen and battle buddies. Our military continues to reel from the scourge of suicide. Since the start of the Global War on Terrorism, 16 North Dakota Guardsmen have taken their own lives. My top priority as your adjutant general is taking care of our Soldiers and Airmen and their families. We have initiated programs and provided resources to help those in need, but it doesn’t end there. We rely on the support of our entire Guard Family in reaching out to a colleague, friend or family member who may need help.

Additionally, remember to reach out within your community. During the holidays, we all feel compelled to give a little more and be kinder to one another. Many of us do this throughout the year by volunteering, making charitable contributions or extending a helping hand to our neighbors. In turn, we enjoy the gracious support of the communities we serve.

Connie and I thank you and your family for everything you do. We, and all North Dakotans, are grateful for your selfless service and are inspired by your dedication to securing our freedoms. We wish you and yours peace and health during this holiday season, and send our best wishes for a Happy New Year.

Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, N.D. adjutant general, third from right, is joined by his family, (from left) son-in-law Jason Anderson, daughter Cathryn Anderson, grandson Sigurdor David Anderson, Connie Sprynczynatyk, wife and North Dakota’s civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army, daughter-in-law Rebecca Sprynczynatyk and son Tom Sprynczynatyk.

www.ndguard.ngb.army.mil · 3

By Capt. Jeffrey HofferN.D. National Guard Historian

James Edgar Jenkins, of Vernon, New York, was in his first year at Hamilton College when the Civil War began in April 1861. At the age of 20, Jenkins immediately left his studies to enlist on

September 4, 1861. Upon entering service for a period of three years, he was elected first lieutenant. Due to a long delay in the mustering-in of his company, the men scattered, resulting in Jenkins’ transfer to the Oneida Independent Company of Cavalry in New York, also as a first lieutenant. The unit was assigned as the protective detail to the Headquarters of the Union Army of the Potomac.

In March 1863, Jenkins’ received a promotion to the rank of captain and transferred to command Company H, 146th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, also known as the “5th Oneida.”

His transfer brought him together with his older brother of six years, David Tuttle Jenkins, who also was serving with the regiment as its executive officer as a lieutenant colonel. The 146th New York later saw action during the Union defeat at Chancellorsville, Virginia, in May.

By the end of June 1863, the regiment had earned the right to wear the gaudy garb of the Zouaves. Compared to the blue uniform worn by the typical Union Soldier, the 146th uniform was an exotic light blue trimmed in yellow, inspired by the French military experience in Africa, and was considered rakish and dashing. The unit received the garment for its excellence in drill and discipline, as well as for developing a reputation as a hard-fighting outfit. The Union Army soon would need units such as the 146th New York. By late June 1863, the Union Army of the Potomac approached the small Pennsylvania crossroads town of Gettysburg for a bloody confrontation with the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, which occured in early July.

Both Jenkins brothers marched with the 146th New York to Gettysburg, where James led his company in the defense of Little Round Top, the extreme left flank of the Union line during the battle. Holding Little Round Top was critical to Union hopes for victory in the historic battle, as if the position fell, the rest of the

Brig. gen. James edgar Jenkinsdakota territory’s FiFth adJutant general

Persevered through Cauldron oF the Civil War

This is The firsT of a Three-parT series:

History of the N.D. Adjutant General

4 · Guardian · december 2014

Union line would become untenable and force the retreat or defeat of the Army of the Potomac. The Union position at Little Round Top held, and James performed his duty under intense fire until he fell severely wounded with a bullet wound to the neck on July 2. His condition critical, James returned home to Vernon where he received constant care from his mother, who eventually nursed him back to health. While convalescing, he received a medical discharge for his wound, leaving the Army in September 1864.

Meanwhile, the Civil War raged on. Mounting casualties resulted in David’s promotion to full colonel and commander of the 146th New York. Tragically, David died leading the regiment at Saunders Field during the Battle of the Wilderness on May 5, 1864. Unfortunately, David’s remains went unrecovered, preventing any return home for burial and final closure for the family.

Despite his wounds and the loss of his brother, Jenkins rejoined the Army in late 1864. He returned to command the Oneida Cavalry Company and saw the end of the Civil War as a brevet major of volunteers.

With the war over, Jenkins left the Army and settled in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he engaged in business. In 1871, he moved to New York, where he lived for ten years

until relocating to Florida in hopes of improving his health. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Dakota Territory, where he homesteaded in Brule County near Chamberlain, in what is now South Dakota, in 1882. Jenkins enjoyed the area and its people and moved his family there in 1883. Later that same year, his health improved, and he successfully ran for a three-year term as county treasurer. Popular and capable in the execution of the duties of his office, he ran again in 1886, and won reelection.

Quickly becoming one of Dakota Territory’s most prominent citizens, Jenkins returned to military service when Territorial Governor Louis K. Church appointed him adjutant general of Dakota Territory in December 1887, with the rank of brigadier general. Unfortunately, his tenure as adjutant general was short-lived. His health failing, James returned to Vernon, where he died at his mother’s home of pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of 46 on September 14, 1888.

The Grand Army of the Republic remembered Jenkins for his Civil War service, as well as his contributions to the communities where he lived. On January 14, 1889, the Oneida County Grand Army of the Republic bestowed a final honor to the deceased general, naming Vernon’s Post #526 in his honor.

Brig. gen. James edgar Jenkinsdakota territory’s FiFth adJutant general

Persevered through Cauldron oF the Civil War


When Master Sgt. Grant Lonski, a N.D. National Guard Airman with

the Fargo-based 119th Security Forces Squadron, woke up on the morning of Nov. 12, 2014, it’s unlikely he knew how his day would play out. That afternoon, while performing his full-time duties as a N.D. highway patrolman, Lonski waded into a freezing roadside slough to find and assist an 81-year-old woman, seated in neck-deep water in the front seat of her car. His heroic actions likely saved the woman’s life.

Merti Kurtti, of rural Rocklake, was driving her 2010 Toyota Yaris about 50 miles per hour on Highway 281, a few miles north of Churchs Ferry, during

the area’s first snow accumulation of the year. She lost control of her vehicle and plunged into about three feet of water at the bottom of a steep six-to-seven-foot ditch bank.

“She is very lucky to be alive, because those roads were very slippery and her car could have rolled, and that water is extremely cold,” said Churchs Ferry Mayor Paul Christenson, who looked over the scene after the rescue. “I helped another person out of a ditch south of town a short time later that day.”

“I was driving to meet some friends at a church member meeting when I spun around twice and went right into the ditch,” Kurtti said.

Thankfully, she had a cell phone in her car with her so she could call 911. Also, her car sat low in the water below the steep edge of the ditch, making it difficult for passing cars on the road to see her. At her age, Kurtti was not able to remove herself from the car since the water was holding her door shut, and she also was unable to crawl out the window.

“I was worried I had called 911 too many times because (the phone) stopped working at one point, and the water was coming in all around me. I had to hold it up out of the water,” Kurtti said.

Lonski, who is a sergeant in the Lakota office of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, got the call from 911 dispatch and

Just Another Day on the JobAirman Saves Woman from Freezing WaterBy Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp119th Wing

“All I could see was her head sticking up above the water.”

akdjajkfdkj;laf


responded urgently with his patrol car lights and siren activated.

“About 10 miles away, we lost phone contact with the driver and I was worried she might be under water,” Lonski said.

He found the entry point of the vehicle by locating the car tracks in the snow and waded into the water at the rear of the vehicle. He broke out the rear window to see into the car, as it was only visible from about halfway up the windows all the way around.

“I walked into the water up to my pants belt on the driver’s side, and all I could see was her head sticking up above the water and her hands holding the cell phone up. I was able to open the door and unbuckle her

Master Sgt. Grant Lonski, of the 119th Security Forces Squadron, visits the accident scene that he responded to while performing his full-time North Dakota Highway Patrol duties near Churchs Ferry, North Dakota. Lonski was able to pull 81-year-old accident victim Merti Kurtti from freezing cold water in the ditch behind him in this photo.

Merti Kurtti, of rural Rocklake, North Dakota, visits about her recent car accident, which submerged her and her car into freezing cold slough water Nov. 12 near Churchs Ferry, North Dakota. Master Sgt. Grant Lonski, of the 119th Security Forces Squadron, and the North Dakota Highway Patrol, was first on the scene to pull her from the life-threatening water.

Photo by Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp, 119th Wing

Photo by Staff Sgt. Natahanael Baardson, 119th Wing

seatbelt,” Lonski said.“I told her to wrap her hands around my neck and I would carry her out.”

By this time, a fire fighter from nearby Leeds, and an ambulance had arrived so Lonski could pass Kurtti off to them for transport and treatment for hypothermia at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake, about 20 miles away.

Rescue workers estimate that Kurtti was in the ditch for 20-30 minutes.

Now, safe at home on her farmstead outside of Rocklake, Kurtti says she’s incredibly grateful for Lonski’s actions that day.

“I want to thank the patrolman and all of the rescue workers for saving me,” Kurtti said.

Her son, Roger Kurtti, who also lives on the family farm, echoed her sentiment.

“I appreciate all he did for my mother. The whole family is grateful for the officer,” he said.

Lonski credits his military training in the N.D. Air National Guard and his law enforcement training in the N.D. Highway patrol for his actions that day. He served as the day-shift flight sergeant for a base entry control point during a 2013 deployment to Bagram, Afghanistan, and managed 50-60 security forces personnel.

“I was worried I had called 911 too many times because (the phone) stopped working at one point, and the water was coming in all around me. I had to hold it up out of the water,” Kurtti said.

Photo by Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp, 119th Wing

Master Sgt. Grant Lonski is greeted by family Oct. 17, 2013, upon returning to Hector International Airport, Fargo, after a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan. Lonski serves with the N.D. Air National Guard’s 119th Security Forces Squadron, which provided security support at Bagram Airfield from March to October 2013.


FITNESSFITNESSGUARDIAN

The holiday season is a time for reflection, connection and celebration. During this time, families, communities and organizations have events, activities and gatherings to celebrate the season. While the holidays are a joyful time, they can also create stress. Fitness is critical to a happy and stress-free holiday season.

With all the celebrations, the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s can literally feel like the “12 days of Christmas.” Overcome the urge to skip your workouts; turn excuses into exercise and schedule time to focus on your health in order to keep fit or improve your fitness. Physical

activity, even moderate exercise, can greatly improve mood, reduce stress, and limit anxiety creating a happier and healthier holiday season.

Look for activities in your community such as “fun runs” and exercise classes or challenge yourself to try a new activity, such as cross-country skiing or swimming. Incorporate fitness into your daily routine by starting out your morning with 10 push-ups or follow up a Christmas cookie treat with 5 burpees and 25 sit-ups.

If you are feeling especially festive, start a new tradition and make the “12 days of Christmas” your “12 days of Fitness.”

How it works: Choose a 12-day date range within the holiday season. Dec. 22, 2014 – Jan. 2, 2015, for example. Over the course of 12 days, follow the plan below as your fitness level permits or follow a plan you have developed. On day one, the “First Day of Fitness,” complete the exercise listed. On day two, the “Second Day of Fitness,” complete the exercises in the orders listed, and so on. The goal is to add a new exercise each day. Rest for about 30 seconds to one minute between sets and exercises or rest as needed. Have fun and be proud of the progress you make!

The First Day of Fitness: 1 cardio exercise for 20 minutes

The Second Day of Fitness:2 minutes of stretching 1 cardio exercise for 20 minutes

The Third Day of Fitness: 3 sets of 8 push-ups2 minutes of stretching1 cardio exercise for 20 minutes

The Fourth Day of Fitness:4 sets of 10 sit-ups3 sets of 8 push-ups2 minutes of stretching1 cardio exercise for 20 minutes

The Fifth Day of Fitness:5 burpees4 sets of 10 sit-ups3 sets of 8 push-ups2 minutes of stretching1 cardio exercise for 20 minutes

The Sixth Day of Fitness:6 jumping jacks5 burpees4 sets of 10 sit-ups3 sets of 8 push-ups2 minutes of stretching1 cardio exercise for 20 minutes

The Seventh Day of Fitness:7 lunges6 jumping jacks5 burpees4 sets of 10 sit-ups3 sets of 8 push-ups2 minutes of stretching1 cardio exercise for 20 minutes

The Eighth Day of Fitness:8 over-head arm clappers7 lunges6 jumping jacks5 burpees4 sets of 10 sit-ups3 sets of 8 push-ups2 minutes of stretching1 cardio exercise for 20 minutes

The Ninth Day of Fitness:9 squats8 over-head arm clappers7 lunges6 jumping jacks5 burpees4 sets of 10 sit-ups3 sets of 8 push-ups2 minutes of stretching1 cardio exercise for 20 minutes

The Tenth Day of Fitness:10-second plank-pose hold9 squats8 over-head arm clappers

The 12 Days of Fitness

7 lunges6 jumping jacks5 burpees4 sets of 10 sit-ups3 sets of 8 push-ups2 minutes of stretching1 cardio exercise for 20 minutes

The Eleventh Day of Fitness: 11 calf raises 10-second plank-pose hold9 squats8 over-head arm clappers7 lunges6 jumping jacks5 burpees4 sets of 10 sit-ups3 sets of 8 push-ups2 minutes of stretching1 cardio exercise for 20 minutes

The Twelfth Day of Fitness:12 crunches11 calf raises 10-second plank-pose hold9 squats8 over-head arm clappers7 lunges6 jumping jacks5 burpees4 sets of 10 sit-ups3 sets of 8 push-ups2 minutes of stretching1 cardio exercise for 20 minutes

By 1st Lt. Cathy Peterson,1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment


Winter Fitness: Safety Tips for Exercising Outdoors

Almost everyone can exercise safely during cold weather. But if you have certain conditions, such as asthma or heart problems, check with your doctor before you work out in cold weather. Here are some tips to stay safe and warm during cold-weather exercise:

• Pay attention to weather conditions and wind chill. Before heading out, check the forecast for the time you’ll be outside. Temperature, wind and moisture, along with the length of time that you’ll be outside, are key considerations in planning a safe cold-weather workout. The combination of wind and cold make up the wind chill index. Wind chill extremes can make exercising outdoors unsafe even if you dress warmly. At wind chill levels below minus 18 degrees Fahrenheit, frostbite can occur on exposed skin in 30 minutes or less. If the temperature dips below 0 degrees Fahrenheit or the wind chill is extreme, consider an alternate indoor workout instead. Wear waterproof gear if it’s raining or snowing.

• Know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Early warning signs of frostbite include numbness, loss of feeling or a stinging sensation. If you suspect frostbite, get out of the cold immediately and slowly warm the affected area – but don’t rub it since that can damage your skin. If numbness continues, seek emergency care. Hypothermia signs and symptoms include intense shivering, slurred speech, loss of coordination and fatigue. Seek emergency help right away for possible hypothermia.

• Dress in layers. Dress in layers you can remove as soon as you start to sweat and then put back on as needed. First, put on a thin layer of synthetic material which draws sweat away from your body. Avoid cotton, which stays wet next to your skin. Next, add a layer of fleece or wool for insulation. Top this with a waterproof, breathable outer layer.

• Protect your head, hands, feet and ears. When it’s cold, blood flow is concentrated on your body’s core, leaving your head, hands and feet vulnerable to frostbite. Wear a thin pair of glove liners made of a wicking material under a pair of heavier gloves or mittens lined with wool or fleece. Consider buying exercise shoes a half-size or one size larger than usual to allow for thick thermal socks or an extra pair of regular socks. Wear a hat to protect your head or a headband to protect your ears. If it’s very cold, consider wearing a scarf or ski mask to cover your face.

• Don’t forget safety gear – and sunscreen. If it’s dark, wear reflective clothing. To stay steady on your feet, choose footwear with enough traction to prevent falls. Wear a helmet while skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling. Consider using chemical heat packs to warm up your hands or feet.

• Drink plenty of fluids. Drink water or sports drinks before, during and after your workout, even if you’re not really thirsty. You can become just as dehydrated in the cold as in the heat from sweating, breathing, and the drying power of the winter wind, but it may be harder to notice during cold weather.

For more info, visit: http://mayocl.in/1z7URXv

By Mayo Clinic Staff


It’s so obvious that it’s often taken for granted: water is essential to human life. And access to safe drinking water

is critical to the sustainment and success of our military forces.

One might wonder how many bullets the Army requires to operate. But, without water for our Soldiers, bullets simply don’t matter.

Water treatment specialists in the N.D. National Guard, including the Soldiers of the 132nd Quartermaster Company, make sure that there is useable water for any operation and in any environment.

To train and refine their skills in water purification, members of the Grand Forks-based 132nd QM Co. convened Nov. 21-23 at Camp Grafton Training Center in Devils Lake. With the help of water purification mobile training team (MTT) instructors from Fort Story, Virginia, the quartermaster Soldiers enhanced their unit’s operational capacity.

“The MTT instruction gives our Soldiers practical, hands-on training to develop their water purification skills,” said Capt. Patrick Joyce, commander for the 132nd QM Co. “We’re able to provide a safe environment for our Soldiers to acquire knowledge and improve their abilities.”

MTT trainers arrived about a week prior to the weekend’s training event to instruct select noncommissioned officers (NCOs)and specialists from the unit, who will train and mentor 132nd QM Co. Soldiers going forward.

“The training is enormously beneficial to the company, because our NCOs will be equipped to share advanced technical knowledge with their fellow Soldiers,” Joyce said. “We’re better prepared to accomplish our mission and serve the needs of our state than ever before.”

The Soldiers, including many new Guardsmen, spent time refreshing competencies in operating, maintaining and troubleshooting the unit’s primary water treatment equipment: Tactical Water Purification Systems (TWPS) and 3,000 Gallons Per Minute Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Units (3K ROWPU).

From an outside perspective the systems appear highly complicated, but the

quartermaster Soldiers say the complexity of the equipment is a bit deceiving. Understanding the basic premises behind acquiring, filtering and storing water makes the hundreds of pipes, switches, valves, filters and pumps appear less threatening.

“The TWPS and 3K ROWPU systems require us to understand the flow of water,” said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Regan, a squad leader in the Cando-based 2nd Platoon, 132nd QM Co. “After we’ve got the systems up and running, it’s just a matter of testing water quality and maintaining the equipment.”

Regan, who recently joined the N.D. National Guard after many years in the Army Reserve, is one of the NCOs who

132nd Quartermaster Company TrainsKeenly to Quench the Guard’s ThirstStory and photos by 2nd Lt. Eric JungelsN.D. National Guard Public Affairs

WATER YOU WAITING FOR??

Staff Sgt. Stephen Lyman, of Fargo, trains 132nd Quartermaster Company Soldiers on how to set up and maintain and troubleshoot a Tactical Water Purification System Nov. 22 at Camp Grafton Training Center near Devils Lake.


have been working with MTT trainers to multiply expertise within the unit.

The company’s Soldiers have become so proficient that — in just one day’s time — they could arrive on location in an operational environment, set up their water purification systems, produce 360,000 gallons of clean drinking water, and breakdown the systems to move to a new location. At 18,000 gallons per hour, they provide an invaluable service to our military.

But, while water is a vital component to sustaining Soldiers during contingency operations, many of them never pause to wonder how they got safe, fresh drinking water. Thanks to water purification specialists like those in the 132nd QM Co., there’s no reason to pause.

“Our mission is to ensure the force has the water they need, no matter what environment they are in. We can purify salt water or fresh water and distribute it to Soldiers quickly,” Regan said. “This training gave us a chance to apply knowledge in a contained environment, so we can be better prepared to react and operate in real-world situations.”

The real-world situations that the 132nd QM Co. has faced in the past have been critically important, but they haven’t always required providing safe water to Soldiers. When floodwaters inundated Minot in 2011, the company was on hand to purify water for the local hospital. Floodwaters backed up city water and sanitation systems, rendering the local resource unsafe to drink. With the help of the Guard’s water purification specialists, clean water was made available until tap water was again reliable.

When the call comes in and water is needed, Guardsmen accustomed to operating behind the scenes will make sure fresh H2O is pushed to the front. The call for water is, in essence, a call for life. Soldiers of the 132nd QM Co. will keep the water flowing.

Above right: Soldiers of the N.D. National Guard’s 132nd QM Co. work with trainers Nov. 23 to empty a water storage bag. The Soldiers convened Nov. 21-23 for intensive water purification training designed to enhance the unit’s operational capacity.

Right: Staff Sgt. Stephen Lyman trains Soldiers on how to troubleshoot a TWPS. Lyman’s unit is equipped to provide safe drinking water, and is capable of pumping and purifying up to 18,000 gallons per hour.

At 18,000 gallons per hour, they provide an invaluable service to our military.

When floodwaters inundated Minot in 2011, the company

was on hand to purify water for

the local hospital.


Small Town Roots

A pair of Happy Hooligans were invited to return to their hometown Oct. 24 to dedicate a military service memorial monument during a “Kid’s Day” ceremony at the Rutland Community Park in Rutland, North Dakota.

Staff Sgt. Shelly Pherson, of the 119th Wing Recruiting Office, and Senior Airman Kevin Gillespie, of the 219th Security Forces Squadron, took a little time out of their personal lives to inspire and educate about 35 people of varying ages about their experiences in the U.S. military.

Both Pherson and Gillespie are from Rutland and still maintain ties to the southeastern North Dakota community. Gillespie is a student at North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, North Dakota, and farms and ranches near Rutland, and Pherson owns a house there that she rents out.

The American Legion ladies auxiliary raised money for two years to fund the monument, which was created to recognize community members who have served in the U.S. military. The monument has the names of every Rutland native to ever serve in any branch of the U.S. military — including Pherson and Gillespie’s names — carved into it. The names are listed under categories by the era of the conflict in which

they served. Gillespie and Pherson are listed under the “War on Terror.”“Our main purpose is to help the kids respect the monument

and what it stands for,” Pherson said. “It is a great chance for me to raise community awareness about the Air National Guard and the role we play in the military. I talked about my trips to Japan, Guam and Afghanistan, and we shared our thoughts on the sacrifices that veterans have made for our country.”

Pherson and Gillespie taught the children how to salute while standing near the monument and they led kids in obstacle games and shared baked goods made by the ladies auxiliary. Gillespie brought his security forces flack vest and helmet for kids to try on.

“We asked the kids to thank our veterans for their service because some of our veterans came home during times when they were not appreciated very much, and many of the kids didn’t even know some of the people on the monument from the community had even served in the military,” Pherson said.

The monument honoring Rutland’s military members is in a very prominent place in the community for all to see — right next to the community hall where most of the big Rutland events are held, including a community favorite, “Uff-da Days.”

By Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp119th Wing

Hooligans Return to Hometown to Inspire Children

Staff Sgt. Shelly Pherson, of the 119th Wing Recruiting Office, and Senior Airman Kevin Gillespie, of the 219th Security Forces Squadron, help kids try on military gear and tell about their military experiences near the military service memorial monument during a “Kid’s Day” Oct. 24 at the Rutland Community Park, Rutland. (Contributed photos)


Traditional National Guard members of the 119th Wing can now earn $750 per person when they refer new enlistees to the recruiting office.

Three easy steps: 1) Make an appointment for you and your potential enlistee to meet with a recruiter. 2) Fill out the referral program paperwork. 3) Ensure your referral enlists by June 30, 2015, and the money is all yours!

If your potential recruit is considering joining, but wants to learn a little more about what is involved in being a unit member, you can bring them to a unit training assembly as part of the “bring a friend to drill” program being offered by the recruiting office. They can visit with people in the unit and enjoy lunch in the Aerospace Dining Facility.

If you or your potential recruit have questions, call 701-451-2238 or visit www.GoANG.com.

The 119th Wing is looking for more good Airmen!

“Our recruiters are great at their jobs, but the best people to promote the organization are the current unit members talking to the people they know in the community.”

— Col. Kent Olson, — Commander 119th Wing


One of the newest Soldiers to join the ranks of the N.D. Army National Guard not

only answered the call to serve his state, community and nation, but also to extend the legacy of his father and honor his family’s lineage of military service.

Eric Linde raised his hand Nov. 7 to take the oath of enlistment at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in Fargo, North Dakota. His official entry into the N.D. Army National Guard came nearly two years after his father, Sgt. 1st Class Darren Linde, was killed in action Dec. 3, 2012, while on a patrol to neutralize improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during a route clearance mission in Afghanistan.

“We are proud and honored to welcome Eric into our organization, and know his father would be proud,” said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general. “The Lindes are very much a part of our Guard family. We admire their patriotism and will never forget the sacrifices they have made. We remember Sgt. 1st Class Darren Linde’s service every day, and will continue to honor him along with the 13 other North Dakota Guardsmen who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the Global War on Terrorism.”

A junior at Century High School in Bismarck, Eric will attend Basic Combat Training this June and, in the summer of 2016, will pursue his Advanced Individual Training, both courses at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

“He’s been ready to do this since he was five years old,” said Eric’s mother, Adrienne Linde. “It’s something he knew he was going to do, and we knew he was going to do. It doesn’t surprise me that this is something he wanted to continue, even though Darren is not here.”

Darren Linde, whose military service spanned over 22 years, enlisted into the N.D. Army National Guard in 1990. He also spent time serving on active duty and with the Montana Army National Guard. When he returned to the N.D. Army National Guard, he soon deployed with the Minot-based 164th Engineer Battalion to Iraq from August 2007 to April 2008. In 2009, he began working as a full-time instructor with the 164th Regional Training Institute

at Camp Grafton Training Center near Devils Lake. Eric said he aspired to emulate his father, especially because of his involvement with the combat engineer community.

“Just watching my Dad when I was little; I really liked (the military). I like hands-on things, and I like to learn and lead,” he said. “A lot of it was my Dad would show me (aspects of his job) by saying, ‘Hey, here’s what I did at work today.’ And I’d think ‘that’s pretty awesome. I want to do that when I’m older.’”

Now, Eric will follow in his father’s footsteps by becoming a combat engineer with the Williston-based 818th Engineer Company, the unit Darren served with during his Afghanistan deployment. In addition to honoring his father’s memory, Eric said he’s motivated to serve in order to “make a difference.” He would like to “see the world and eventually deploy overseas.”

“I think Eric just wants to make us more proud than we already are. He feels like this is his path,” Adrienne said. “(Him becoming a) combat engineer, I think, was a little hard to swallow at first. But, it’s important, and we have to support him in whatever he chooses to do.”

During his enlistment ceremony at the Fargo MEPS, family members and Soldiers from the 818th Engineer Company (Sapper) were in attendance to show Eric that support. His grandfather,

Guard Enlistee Honors Father’s Legacy, Family’s Military ServiceFOLLOWING FOOTSTEPS

By Staff Sgt. Eric William JensenN.D. National Guard Public Affairs

Retired Army Maj. Dwight Linde, right, swears in his grandson, Eric Linde, during an enlistment ceremony Nov. 7 at the Military Entrance Processing Station in Fargo. Eric’s father, Sgt. 1st Class Darren Linde, was killed in action Dec. 3, 2012 while serving in Afghanistan. (Contributed photo)


retired Maj. Dwight Linde, who also was a member of the N.D. Army National Guard, swore Eric in, just like he had done for Darren more than two decades before. Darren’s commander from the 818th Engineer Company (Sapper), Maj. Robert Bohl, and the unit’s senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Rashad Schaffner, also were at the ceremony.

Schaffner said he still has a poster hanging in his office featuring photos of members of the 818th Engineer Company (Sapper), and he thinks about Darren every day. Over the last year or so, he’s stayed in touch with Eric, talking to him sometimes on a daily basis. They often visit, at length, about Eric’s future in the N.D. National Guard.

“Eric is extremely proud of his Dad, his accomplishments and also his grandfather’s accomplishments. He’s following through with that Linde heritage, to be one of the best,” Schaffner said. “It was pretty amazing to sit in that room (during Eric’s enlistment), be a part of it and be invited to be there with the family. With the Lindes, since Dec. 3, 2012, I’ve been able to see that the National Guard is a family, and it never stops. That was depicted that day. They (the Lindes) had invited the Guard to be there as part of that family and it was very touching.”

There’s also a legacy that Eric will fulfill by being part of the 818th Engineer Company (Sapper), Schaffner said. Especially, since Darren was a revered mentor and leader amongst his fellow combat engineers.

“(Darren’s) always going to be there. He left a huge imprint in that unit that will never go away,” he said. “It’s pretty surreal that his young son will be part of that on-going heritage of that unit.”

Other members of the unit, Adrienne said, have reached out and corresponded with Eric during his pursuit of military service to help answer questions about becoming a member of the N.D. Army National Guard, as well. Some were there to wish Eric well at his enlistment ceremony.

“That was really nice, because a lot of them (818th Soldiers) were the ones that got me through all the paperwork and the recruiting process. It was nice to see them

there and watch me finish it,” Eric said. “It was also cool to have my Grandpa there. It’s kind of like a family legacy.”

Adrienne said she’s been overwhelmed by the encouragement and concern shown for her family since losing Darren, as well as the family of Spc. Tyler Orgaard, who also was killed in action when an IED struck his and Darren’s vehicle. The Lindes have found strength and comfort in the relationships forged with members of the 818th Engineer Company (Sapper), the Orgaards and North Dakota’s Survivor Outreach Services’ representatives.

“We’ve been very fortunate to have so many great people that knew us before this happened, and also the people that we’ve met since then. They’re not friends of the moment, they are friends forever. They’re family,” Adrienne said.

The Linde and Orgaard families have participated in a number of Guard memorial events within the state over the past two years. They’ve also ventured across the county to locations hosting national remembrance ceremonies and family support curriculums. Eric’s sister, Alexis Fleener, and Tyler Orgaard’s sister, Kristy, together attended the national Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) event last year in Washington, D.C. Through the program, family members from across the nation have the opportunity to network and visit with others who have been impacted by the death of a military

family member. Similarly, Adrienne and Eric last year

took part in a Snowball Express event. That program, according to its website, brings together “children of military fallen heroes who have died while on active duty since 9/11.” The four-day experience, held in Dallas, Texas, seeks to help children through their grief by “making each child feel special and giving them an opportunity to share their feelings about losing their parent.”

“It’s funny, because (Eric) doesn’t think (his enlistment) is a big deal at all. It is a big deal, because most people wouldn’t do this. I think he deserves that credit. I just think for the other kids that have lost their fathers, not just by being in the military, (he’s showing them something) by landing on his feet and going on with his dreams,” she said.

As for Eric, he plans on being a long-time member of the N.D. National Guard. In addition to applying for full-time employment with the organization, he’d also like to serve abroad with the active-duty Army.

“People always ask me, ‘Why are you allowing this to happen? You’ve already experienced loss.’ I don’t see it as a negative,” Adrienne said. “Since this has happened, our family has become so incredibly tight. Our love and support for each other, it was always there, but it’s almost palpable now. You’ve got one chance in life to love and support each other, and we’re going to give it our best shot.”

Eric Linde, second from right, is joined by his family Nov. 7 during his enlistment ceremony at the Military Entrance Processing Station in Fargo, North Dakota. They are, from left, his grandfather, retired Army Maj. Dwight Linde; his mother, Adrienne Linde; and Dwight’s wife, Lana. Adrienne is wearing a button featuring a photo of Eric’s father, Sgt. 1st Class Darren Linde, who was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan Dec. 3, 2012. (Contributed photo)


Call or Text for More InformationCPT JEFFREY STECKLER: 701-429-4155CW3 JAMMY RYCKMAN: 701-799-4958CPT RUSS SUNDBY: 701-429-1378

CONTACT YOUR COMMANDER OR FULL-TIME STAFF TO GET SIGNED UP!

FOR ALL SOLDIERS INTERESTED IN JOINING A COMMISSIONING PROGRAM

OCS • ROTC • DIRECT COMMISSION • WOC

• Team Building Activities

• BASIC & specialty branch INFO


By Resilience, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention (R3SP) StaffNorth Dakota National Guard

Help to Make the Season Bright

The well-being of our Soldiers and Airmen is critical to the success of our organization. In an effort to foster resilient and healthy Guardsmen, we must remember to make ourselves and each other a priority during the upcoming holiday season.

The holidays are a time for celebration, cheer and, for many, stress. The days and nights are filled with social festivities, gatherings, games, food and drink. With so many activities (or obligations) and opportunities for over-indulgence, how can we focus on making low-risk decisions and effectively managing stress?

First and foremost, go into the holidays with a game plan — a safe plan to help make low-risk decisions and to incorporate self-care. Reflecting upon your goals, think through the consequences. Discussing

your decisions with peers or family

members will

provide the support you might need to make low-risk choices and to ensure that you find time to make yourself a priority.

In regards to alcohol consumption, follow the “Strong Choices 0, 1, 2, 3” low-risk guidelines:

0 — Drinks if you are underage, pregnant, at risk for alcoholism or planning on operating a motor vehicle. Never take illegal or non-prescribed drugs.

1 — Maximum number of standard drinks in one hour.

2 — Maximum number of standard drinks in one day if you are a daily drinker.

3 — Maximum number of standard drinks in one day if you are an occasional drinker.

If you are hosting a celebration, avoid making alcohol the main focus of your event by providing music, games, lively conversation and food. Stop serving drinks at least one hour before the end of the event and recruit designated drivers to ensure that

everyone has a safe ride home. Also, be sure to offer plenty of non-

alcoholic choices.

It is easy to think of others during the holidays, but remember to take care of yourself, too. The added stress with social events, family commitments, shopping trips, bad weather and travel, all in a limited amount of time, makes it more difficult to find time to take care of ourselves. To manage stress effectively, think of the protective factors in your life. Maybe they include reading a book, exercising, meditating, talking with a friend, watching sports, seeing a counselor or creating art. Identify blocks of time during the day for self-care and schedule them in with the other activities and commitments you have during the season. By making time for protective factors and inserting them into your game plan, you can manage stress during the holidays.

When we take care of ourselves, it is easier to look out for those around us, too. Watch for risk factors and warning signs that someone may be thinking of suicide. It is important to refer to the ACE model, if necessary — Ask, Care, Escort. We must watch for risk factors in ourselves, too, and practice ACE on ourselves if required. If necessary, we need to ask ourselves if we are thinking of suicide, care for ourselves if we are and escort ourselves to a safe place.

When we take the necessary steps to focus on our well-being and the

well-being of those around us, we are actively supporting our organization’s strategic goal of

strengthening our National Guard community.

ACE Model

Ask:• Have the courage to ask

the question, but stay calm• Ask the question directly: Are you

thinking of killing yourself?

Care: • Calmly control the situation; do not use force; be safe• Actively listen to show understanding • Remove any means that could be used for self-injury

Escort:• Never leave your buddy alone• Escort to chain of command, chaplain, behavioral health

professional, primary care provider or another person that can help keep your buddy safe

• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) or call 9-1-1

Tips for Making Low-Risk Decisions During the Holidays

High schools from around the state honored members of the military during “Military Appreciation Games” throughout the fall of 2014. At left, a flag is unfurled for the National Anthem at Mandan High School. Below, the Des Lacs-Burlington High School’s football team sports digital camouflage-patterned uniforms during a special team picture with N.D. National Guard recruiter Sgt. Brandon Carrigan and high school senior Pvt. Blake Bakken.

GUARDIANSnapshotsVisit www.flickr.com/photos/ndguard/.

See More, and Download Photos!

Above: Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, N.D. adjutant general, left, congratulates Capt. Russ Sundby, commander of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment, for a successful deployment during the unit’s Freedom Salute ceremony Dec. 6 at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck. The event celebrated the N.D. aviators’ successful yearlong deployment to Kosovo from which the unit returned home in October.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Brett Miller, N.D. National Guard Visual Information

Contributed photo

Contributed photo


Photo by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kiel Skager, N.D. National Guard Visual Information

Above: Sgt. Chad Reimer, Det. 2, Company C, 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment, tows a UH-60 Black Hawk out of the Army Aviation Support Facility Nov. 24 in Fargo. The helicopter would later be flown by aircrews conducting night flight training.

Above: Maj. Gen. Sprynczynatyk, N.D. adjutant general, holds his grandson, Sigurdor David Anderson, after being awarded the Army Engineer Regiment’s Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal Dec. 5 at the Raymond J. Bohn armory in Bismarck. Below: The prestigious award was in recognition of Sprynczynatyk’s exceptionally meritorious service to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Army National Guard, which spans more than three decades.

Photo by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kiel SkagerN.D. National Guard Visual Information

Photo by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Nathan V. ClarysCompany C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment


Photos by Staff Sgt. Brett Miller, N.D. National Guard Visual Information


Submit your photos to be consideredfor inclusion in the N.D. Guardian!

Email high-resolution photosto Sgt. Jennifer Joyce, N.D. Guardian

editor, at [email protected].

Share your photos! Left: Bismarck State College’s Military Science Department hosts a Combat Water Survival Training course Nov. 26 at the BSC Aquatic and Wellness Center. Instructors from the N.D. National Guard led the training, which was free and open to the public. Above: Chief Master Sgt. Chad Ehlert, of the 119th Wing, in blue, raises his hand Nov. 12 to swear an oath during a promotion ceremony as he becomes the newest chief master sergeant at the N.D. Air National Guard Base in Fargo. Below: Chief Master Sgt. James Gibson, the N.D. National Guard senior enlisted advisor, discusses organizational events and issues with Junior Enlisted Advisory Council (JEAC) members of the 119th Wing during a unit training assembly meeting Nov. 2 at the N.D. Air National Guard Base in Fargo. The JEAC is a unit-sponsored group that discusses issues concerning the newest members of the organization and gives them a voice within the unit to address those issues. All junior enlisted personnel are encouraged to attend the meetings as their work allows.

Photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp, 119th Wing



NewsBriefs

Sprynczynatyk honored withArmy Engineer Association Award

Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, N.D. adjutant general, was awarded the U.S. Army Engineer Association’s Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal Dec. 5 at the Raymond J. Bohn armory in Bismarck. The prestigious engineer award was in recognition of Sprynczynatyk’s exceptionally meritorious service to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Army National Guard, which spans more than three decades.

Sprynczynatyk was at the armory briefing about 200 Guard Soldiers on the first stop of his annual holiday command visits and was unaware of the award until Brig. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. deputy adjutant general, stepped forward and began reading a brief history of the de Fleury Medal. Dohrmann then followed up with a brief narrative of the achievements that earned Sprynczynatyk the medal. Sprynczynatyk was surprised as family members entered the area carrying the medal and a large wooden frame that contained the award citation.

Sprynczynatyk’s spouse Connie Sprynczynatyk, civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army, placed the Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal around her husband’s neck

as the award citation was read aloud. After the presentation, a letter from

North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple was read in which he offered his and the North Dakota first lady’s congratulations. An excerpt from the letter read: “As a citizen-Soldier and skilled state engineer, you have represented the best in public service. Please know that your dedicated service and leadership have enhanced the lives of citizens throughout North Dakota.”

Sprynczynatyk thanked the N.D. National Guard family and his mentors and said “It is truly an honor to serve as the adjutant general and to be able to represent all of the great Soldiers and Airmen of the N.D. National Guard when working with government officials and other agencies.”

He also saluted the efforts of N.D. Department of Emergency Services employees for their dedication and hard work on behalf of the nation and the citizens of North Dakota.

Among the achievements that earned Sprynczynatyk the award was his efforts in leading the N.D. National Guard and Department of Emergency Services during the state’s major flood events of 2009 and 2011, during which the Guard spent 98 days and 142 days on flood duty, respectively. A traditional Guardsman, Sprynczynatyk is a registered professional engineer in North Dakota and has served in a number of key engineer positions

during his civilian career prior to assuming the full-time duties as the adjutant general in 2006. His civilian engineer positions included tours as N.D. state engineer, N.D. State Water Commission, 1989-2001; and director, N.D. Department of Transportation, 2001-2006. During his tenure in these two agencies, he successfully coordinated and worked many projects with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, particularly in water-resourced endeavors.

The de Fleury medal traces its origins to the American Revolutionary War and was named after French engineer Francois Louis Tesseidre de Fleury. In 1779, de Fleury, who had volunteered to serve in the American Army, demonstrated extraordinary heroism at the Battle of Stony Point, a major defeat for the British Army and a turning point in the war. According to the U.S. Army Engineer Association, the Second Continental Congress awarded de Fleury a medal “struck in his honor” for his “intrepid behavior.”

The U.S. Army Engineer Association has four award levels of the de Fleury Medal: gold, silver, bronze and steel. The silver medal may only be awarded to an individual who has rendered outstanding and significant support or service to the Engineer Regiment. The only other N.D. Army Guard Engineer that has earned the Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal is retired Brig. Gen. Harvey M. Haakenson in 2000.

By Bill ProkopykN.D. National Guard Public Affairs

Aviation Unit Honored forKosovo Service

The N.D. National Guard, along with family, friends and community supporters, honored about 40 Soldiers from the Bismarck-based Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Regiment Dec. 6 during a Freedom Salute ceremony at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bismarck. The event celebrated the N.D. aviators’ successful yearlong deployment to Kosovo, from which the unit returned home in October.

“The men and women of the Company C, 2-285th Aviation Regiment performed an important and successful mission while deployed to Kosovo,” said Gov. Jack Dalrymple. “They provided essential assistance to U.S. and NATO forces and were an integral part of peacekeeping

operations in the country. We are grateful to these Soldiers and their families for their distinguished service and are pleased to officially welcome them home.”

Under the command of Capt. Russ Sundby, of Horace, the N.D. Soldiers operated UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters as part of the Kosovo Forces (KFOR 18) Aviation Task Force in support of the U.S.-led Multi National Battle Group East, which conducts military peace support operations in Kosovo. The unit provided air transport for U.S. and NATO forces, to include training and assistance to the Kosovo Security Forces.

During the deployment, the C/2-285th AVN Soldiers flew about 2,000 hours, providing troop and VIP transport, medical evacuation hoists, sling-loads, fire fighting support, parachute operations, Quick Reaction Force missions, riot control support and Special Patrol Insertion and Extraction training. Overall, the flight company transported 1,500 U.S. and NATO forces passengers.

“North Dakota’s aviators again brought

their expertise to make a difference in another part of the world,” said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, N.D. adjutant general. “C/2-285th AVN’s operations in Kosovo were a major success and were carried out safely. I’m pleased to be able to formally thank our Soldiers for their skilled and dedicated service, and to thank the family members, friends and employers who have supported them. ”

Each Soldier received a gift to present to a family member, for their support and more than half of the Soldiers recognized at the event received additional honors for having served multiple deployments in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Nathan Clarys was recognized for his fifth deployment.

The unit previously had deployed in 2009 to Iraq, where the unit’s aviators flew more than 750 combat missions, totaling more than 6,200 flight hours. They were responsible for transporting senior officials, Soldiers, medical supplies and other cargo in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

By Staff Sgt. Eric William JensenN.D. National Guard Public Affairs


Chaplains’ Corner:

By Chaplain (Capt.) Brock SailerHeadquarters and Headquarters Company, 164th Engineer Battalion

Chaplain (Capt.) Brock Sailer plays with Codon during an annual Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) Memorial Day event on the lawn of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., before a May 25, 2014 concert there. Thanks to the nonprofit North Dakota National Guard Foundation and other entities, about 60 North Dakota families of fallen service members attended the TAPS National Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp for children in Washington, D.C., over Memorial Day weekend 2014.

When I was 8 years old or so, there was a Christmas movie that took the United States by storm called “Home Alone.” It featured a young boy, Kevin, who was accidentally left behind on an extended family Christmas vacation. The rest of the movie revolves around the tension of this separated family getting back together, along with Kevin defending his house from some dim-witted burglars for comic relief.

As Christmas approaches, we look forward to a time of gathering with our extended family. The holiday becomes a family homecoming. For the military family, holidays also are too often about dealing with separation.

I am from a family where, at one time, five of us were serving in the military simultaneously. From the time my oldest brother joined the U.S. Navy, we have all been together only one Christmas in the last twenty years.

Our “Guard Family” has experienced members being away from home during the holidays consistently since 2003. We look forward to a day of stabilization and peace where this will no longer be the norm.

While Christmas has become a story about coming together with family, the birth of Jesus was somewhat the opposite. The Son was leaving the Father to bring peace on earth. Yet it is still a story about family, as Jesus was out to seek and save the lost and return us prodigals to the Father. It reminds me of the prodigal son story except, in this version, the older brother leaves the family farm to find his wayward family members, sacrificing himself, to return them to the Father. This is a message of hope, peace and joy worth remembering this Christmas!

I’ ll be Home for Christmas

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Amy Wieser Willson, Joint Force Headquarters


SoundOff!

From right, Master Sgt. Amber Rolph and Staff Sgt. Taylor Rix, both from the Fargo-based 119th Wing, talk and laugh with Roger Roles, a former sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, Dec. 12 at the North Dakota Veterans home in Lisbon, N.D. Rolph and Rix are part of a group of North Dakota National Guard Airmen and Soldiers visiting the home to enjoy a holiday meal, share gifts and carol with Roles and other veterans living at the home.


North Dakota Guardian Dec 2014

Documents

Transcript of North Dakota Guardian Dec 2014