Volume 34, Issue 10 December 2005 Page Homecoming

Newspaper of the National Guard

THE

ON GUARDVolume 34, Issue 10 December 2005

Reachingthe

Pacific

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"The values that inspiredLewis and Clark inspiredall American veterans.Those values are love ofcountry, commitment toduty, courage to walk in thevalley of the shadow ofdeath and willingness tosacrifice."

– Gov. Ted Kulongoski

Photo by Master Sgt. Bob Haskell

Maj. Gen. John Libby, adjutant general ofMaine, makes a point as National Guard lead-ers discuss the recent hurricane season andthe possibility of dealing with an influenzapandemic while meeting in Arlington, Va., onNov. 14.

Guard prepares

for possibleavian flu outbreak

PANDEMIC: Page 6

Retire from the Guard at age 50 and collect pay; it may happen

Homecoming: First 200 of New York s 42nd InfantryDivision return home from Sunni Triangle

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Happy BirthdayThe National Guard cele-

brates it's 369th birthdayDec. 13. On that date in1636, the General Court ofthe Massachusetts BayColony ordered that militiacompanies be organizedinto three regiments. Themilitia drilled weekly andprovided night guarddetails and marking thefoundation of today'sNational Guard.

By Master Sgt. Bob HaskellNational Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va. – The country'sNational Guard leaders huddled near thenation's capital on Nov. 14 to review theway their forces responded to this year'scatastrophic hurricane season and to con-template the Guard's role for a potentiallybigger calamity - a pandemic outbreak ofthe avian flu.Adjutants general or their representatives

from 50 states and territories attended theday-long meeting hosted by LTG H StevenBlum, chief of the National Guard Bureau,at the Army National Guard ReadinessCenter.

Representatives of the Joint Chiefs ofStaff, the United States NorthernCommand and other defense agencieswere among the 100 or so people whoattended the session. Much of it dealt withlessons the National Guard has learnedfrom the hurricanes of the recent past and

By Sgt. Jim GreenhillNational Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va.– Six former NationalGuardsmen who received the nation's highestaward for valor were honored during two VeteransDay ceremonies on Nov. 10.

Nicky Bacon, Frederick Castle, Merritt Edson,John Moran, Alfred Rascon and TheodoreRoosevelt were Guardsmen and Medal of Honorrecipients. On Nov. 10, their names were added topanels honoring 115 other Guardsmen whoreceived the medal.Bacon and Rascon attended the ceremonies at the

National Guard Memorial Building in Washingtonand at the Army National Guard Readiness Centerat Arlington Hall.

Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn, director of the ArmyNational Guard, expressed wonder at the Medal ofHonor recipients and at the Guard memberspacked into Arlington Hall to honor them.

"You are a generation of Guardsmen to beremembered," Vaughn told the audience, notingthat 2005 has seen the National Guard's largestwartime commitment since World War II and

42nd: 0

By Staff Sgt. Carmen L.Burgess Army News Service

FORT DRUM, N.Y. – Twohundred members of the NewYork Army National Guard’s42nd Infantry Division head-quarters returned to Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield Nov. 5from a deployment to north-central Iraq.

It was the first time since theKorean War that a NationalGuard division headquartershas deployed into combat.

“This will be the first timesince World War II that aNational Guard DivisionHeadquarters can wear itspatch on both shoulders. Theycan now proudly display the42nd’s ‘Rainbow’ shouldersleeve insignia on the leftbecause theSoldiers belongto that unit andon the rightb e c a u s ethey haveearned thathonor having served with thatunit in a combat zone,” pointedout LTG H Steven Blum, chiefof the National Guard Bureau.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Carmen Burgess

Secretary of the Army Francis Harvey welcomes home 42nd Infantry Divisiontroops as they disembark Nov. 5 at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield.

Six Medal of Honor recipients honored on Veterans Day

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About The On GuardThe On Guard is published monthlyusing federal funds under provisions ofAR 360-1 and AFI 35-101 by theCommand Information Branch of theNational Guard Bureau’s Public AffairsOffice for all members of the Army andAir National Guard. The 70,000 copiesare distributed to all National Guardunits and selected organizationsthroughout the Total Force. The viewsand opinions expressed herein are notnecessarily those of the Department ofDefense, the Army, the Air Force or theNational Guard Bureau.

SubmissionsE-mail your stories to us by the 1st ofeach month. We prefer that photos behigh-quality digital (200 dpi or more)and e-mailed to:

[email protected]

AddressNGB-PAI-CISuite 112001411 Jefferson Davis HighwayArlington, VA 22202-3259

(703) 607-2649DSN 327-2649FAX: (703) 607-3686

Phone/Fax

W eb Sitewww.ngb.army.mil/onguard

Staff

CHIEF,National Guard Bureau

LTG H Steven Blum

DIRECTOR,NGB, Public Affairs and

Strategic CommunicationsMr. Daniel Donohue

CHIEF,NGB-Public Affairs

Command InformationMaj. John Toniolli

EDITORTech. Sgt. Gary Hicks

SENIOR CORRESPONDENTMaster Sgt. Bob Haskell

CORRESPONDENTSgt. Jim Greenhill

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Welcome to . We're introducing thisfeature to The On Guard as a venue forexploring the National Guard Bureau news-paper's monthly themes.

Yes, we have themes: Diversity.Transformation. Environmental steward-ship. Salutes to those who have served.Themes like that.

December’s theme is employer support.It’s a salute to the countless civilian bosseswho make it possible for Guard men andwomen to leave their jobs for a few weeksor a few months, or a year or more, know-ing those jobs will be waiting when theyreturn so they can keep on sustaining theirfamilies. We could not serve without theemployers’ support.

The 4,000 or so people who supportEmployer Support of the Guard andReserve, at the national headquarters innorthern Virginia and in our states and terri-tories, champion that cause. They are theheart of what we know as ESGR.

I can't tell you for sure that Bud Leavittever heard of ESGR. I can't ask himbecause he died in 1994, 11 years ago thismonth, after a noble and stubborn fightagainst the killer cancer.

But Ralph W. Leavitt Jr., "Bud" to all whoknew him, certainly embraced the spirit ofESGR during the years that I worked forhim when he was executive sports editor forthe Bangor Daily News in Bangor, Maine -from 1979 to 1988.

He was a big man with a deep, resonatingvoice and a larger-than-life personality inthat part of our country. He wrote theNews's daily Outdoors column – abouthunting and fishing and how sports peopleshould respect their environments – for 46years. "The Bud Leavitt Show" was aSaturday evening staple, with baked beansand biscuits, in Bangor's television marketfor 20 years. He was best friends with base-ball legend Ted Williams. He "went nation-al" with his program "Woods and Waters"on the Public Broadcasting System in 1979.

He was also as patriotic a boss as youcould ever meet. He had done his bit duringWorld War II, from 1942-46, as a civilianemployee for the Army Air Corps. He hadserved his time in his way. That's why Budnever challenged me – not once - when Ihad to leave the News for two or threeweeks to go on annual training or to pullREFORGER duty in Germany or to writeabout Guard people who were buildingroads and schools and clinics in Panama.

I was gone quite a lot – sometimes duringmy vacations, sometimes when I had novacation time coming – because there weremany chances to serve and supplement myfamily's income during the Reagan years.Bud understood about service and support-ing a family. He and his wife Barbara raisedtwo daughters. Think about it. This wasyears before Desert Storm and Bosnia andKosovo and the Global War on Terrorism.This was before ESGR and the UniformServices Employment and Reemployment

Rights Act, that Congress enacted duringthe year of Bud's death, had become theforce that it is today.

Bud didn't need some law to persuade himto do the right thing. If I had to go, I had togo. Period. Yes, I also had the support ofRichard J. Warren, the newspaper's publish-er, and V. Paul Reynolds, the managing edi-tor, when it came to performing my militaryduties. Mr. Warren had been an officer inthe Maine Air National Guard. PaulReynolds was a Naval Reserve officer.

But it invariably fell to Bud to explain anddefend my absences in his gruff andstraightforward manner. "No, Haskell's notAWOL. He's serving his country. Whatabout it?" he would challenge anyone whoasked. They rarely asked a second time.

You could argue that Bud set the standardsfor employer support before a lot of usknew what those standards were. That'swhy I thought of him, and the timing of hisdeath, when I contemplated this column.

Bud died on Dec. 20, 1994, in California.He was 77. His wake was held in Bangoron Dec. 24, Christmas Eve. His funeralMass was celebrated on Dec. 26, the dayafter Christmas. Leave it to Bud Leavitt toupstage Christmas in my part of the world.And leave it to Bud to leave a legacy forcaring about traditional Guard members.

Tens of thousands of National Guard menand women are a long way from their jobsand their families during this holiday sea-son. They are serving in Iraq andAfghanistan and in many other places. Theyare counting the days until they can returnto their homes and their civilian work.

My hat is off to their bosses in the corpo-rations and convenience stores who havemade the same commitment to put themback to work after they come home thatBud Leavitt made to me so many times, somany years ago. They are not AWOL. Theyare serving their country.Happy Holidays.

Former boss backed this Guardsman

By Donna MilesAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – The Department ofVeterans Affairs has launched a program topromote job opportunities for those leavingmilitary service.

"Fulfilling the Commitment – ComingHome to Work" is a new VA initiativefocused on veterans of Operation IraqiFreedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.The initiative taps into existing federal, stateand private-sector resources to help the200,000 service members who separate fromactive military service each year.

R. James Nicholson, the VA secretary, citedalarming unemployment rates among youngveterans and said the nation owes them assis-tance as they leave military service.Currently, young veterans face unemploy-ment rates three times the national average.

Almost 15 percent of veterans in the 20-to-24 age group were unemployed during the

first three quarters of 2005, according to theBureau of Labor Statistics. The national rateis closer to 5 percent.

Nicholson said he hopes the effort will helpimprove veterans' job prospects by educatingemployers about veterans' job needs as wellas the benefits veterans bring to the work-place.

"People who just come off active duty, whovolunteered, who submitted themselves to allthat training and regimen and discipline areoutstanding prospects for employment,"Nicholson said. "We just need to get themlinked up with prospective employers, andthat's what this initiative is doing."

In a related move, the VA and GeneralServices Administration has signed a formalagreement expanding GSA's efforts for vet-erans who own businesses. The agreementcommits GSA to put more emphasis on pro-grams for veteran-owned businesses, partic-ularly those with service-related disabilities.

By law, all federal agencies are required tostrive to award 3 percent of their contracts,by value, to businesses owned by service-disabled veterans.

The new VA-GSA agreement commits theagencies to co-sponsor seven regional con-ferences for veterans who own businessesduring the next year. The Small BusinessAdministration and other federal agencieswill also participate.

VA program promotes employment among new veterans

"People who just come offactive duty, who volunteered,who submitted themselves to allthat training and regimen anddiscipline are outstandingprospects for employment."

– R. James Nicholson

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By Master Sgt. Bob HaskellSenior Correspondent

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By Master Sgt. Bob Haskelland Staff Sgt. Lorenzo ParnellNational Guard Bureau and DC National Guard

WASHINGTON – Eleven members of the District ofColumbia National Guard helped the nation pay tribute tothe late Rosa Parks, acclaimed as "the mother of the civilrights movement," during the final two days of October.Parks, 92, died on Oct. 24.

The seven Soldiers and four Airmen on the SelectedHonor Guard from the district’s National Guard ForcesHeadquarters were pallbearers for Parks who lay in honorin her cherry-wood coffin in the Capitol Rotunda on Oct.30 and the morning of Oct. 31. And afternoon memorialservice was held at the Metropolitan African MethodistEpiscopal Church in Washington.

The honor guard members shared a piece of history bycarrying Parks into the Capitol on that Sunday and thenout to the hearse on Monday. The Washington Post report-ed that Parks was the first woman and only the 30thAmerican to lie in honor in the Rotunda.

Thousands of people, including President George W.Bush and Mrs. Bush, came to pay their final respects afterthe Guard members from the "Capital Guardians" respect-fully set the coffin in place.

"The turnout was overwhelming. The lines were incred-ibly long when we left at 9:30 Sunday night," said Sgt. 1stClass Ernesto Rodriguez, the noncommissioned officer incharge of the Guard pallbearers.

DC Guard officials formed the honor guard that Sundayafter receiving the request for ceremonial support fromdistrict Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes-Norton, accord-ing to Col. Timothy Spriggs.

"We worked the request through the proper channels,and we were able to get our honor guard stood up toanswer the call," Spriggs said.

Seven of the pallbearers were members of the DCGuard's honor guard, but four had never served in thatcapacity, Rodriguez explained. All of them, however,were ready for the high-profile mission after practicingfor two hours at the DC Armory and for two more hoursat Capitol, under the direction of the Thurston Lewis fromthe U.S. Capital Police Ceremonial Unit.

Parks was celebrated as one of the most importantAmerican citizens of the 20th century. She was a seam-stress in Montgomery, Ala., when she refused to give upher seat on a city bus to a white passenger on Dec. 1,1955. The bus driver had her arrested. She was tried and

convicted of violating a local ordinance.Her act sparked a citywide boycott of the bus system by

African-Americans that lasted for more than a year. Theboycott elevated an unknown clergyman named MartinLuther King Jr. to national prominence and resulted in theU.S. Supreme Court decision outlawing segregation oncity buses

Rodriguez was humbled to serve as a pallbearer "This isthe one of the most significant events in my life. It's anhonor and privilege to carry the remains of Rosa Parks, anicon of the civil rights movement," he said. "I was sad-dened by the fact that she passed, but to be one of her pall-bearers at the Capitol gave me a happiness I will never

forget." Other Guard pallbearers were: Senior Master Sgt.

Raynard Edwards, Sgt.1st Class Terry Williams, Staff Sgt.James Childs, Tech. Sgt. Fuller Dodson, Tech. Sgt.Latricia Long, Tech. Sgt. Santos Ramirez, Sgt. ReginaldCarmichael, Spc. Josef Douglin, Pfc. Marinez Cadet, andPfc. Wayne Logan. It was the first time that the honorguard members performed as a joint unit."What a tremendous honor to be in the presence of Rosa

Parks and be part of that history," said Ramirez. "By car-rying her remains to the viewing area, we not only repre-sented the DC National Guard but the Armed Forces as awhole."

District of Columbia Guard members honor Parks

Photo by Dewitt D. Roseborough, U.S. Capitol

National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from the District of Columbia carry the coffin of civil rights pio-neer Rosa Parks from the Capitol to the hearse on Oct. 31 after it had been lying in honor in theRotunda.

Utah National Guard bobsledder makes Team USA, looks to Olympic bidBy Jack L. GillundArmy News Service

CALGARY, Canada – Spc. Steve Holcomband Spc. Michael Kohn moved one stepcloser to qualifying for the 2006 WinterOlympics during the U.S. National BobsledTeam Trials in October.

Holcomb, a combat engineer with the UtahNational Guard, won the 2005 U.S. Nationalfour-man bobsled championship Oct. 23 atCanada Olympic Park. 2002 Olympic silvermedalist Todd Hayes was his closest com-petitor during the two days of competitionsthat featured eight sleds.

“It was a little bit of a surprise,” said U.S.Olympic Bobsled Team Head Coach Sgt.

Tuffield “Tuffy” Latour. “Holcomb was juston fire this week and Todd [Hayes] was play-ing catch-up.”

Holcomb, along with teammates BrockKreitzburg, Curt Tomasevicz and 2002Olympic silver medalist Bill Schuffenhauerplaced first during day one of the trials. Theirsled and the sled piloted by Hayes each hada best two-out-of-three combined time of 1minute, 51.28 seconds.

Following tiebreaker rules, Holcomb wasawarded first place for posting the fastest runtime of the day – 55.50. No tiebreaker wasneeded during day two. Holcomb posted acombined time of 1:55.48 with teammatesKreitzburg, Tomasevicz and Ivan Ratcliff.His closest competitor, Hayes, was .34 sec-

onds slower.Placing third in the four-man bobsled trials,

Kohn will pilot USA III during World Cupcompetitions. The 2002 Olympic bronzemedal holder posted his quickest start timeof the event on day two. He had a 5.18 sec-ond push after putting fellow WCAPer Capt.Lorenzo Smith in his sled.

Strong winds Oct. 16 at Lake Placid, N.Y.,forced the postponement of two-man bob-sled competitions. The final race was heldOct. 27 in Calgary – 12 days after day one.Coming into day two, Hayes and teammatePavle Jovanovic were first and Holcomb andCurt Tomasevicz were second. The team ofJoe McDonald and Hoy Thurman III were inthird. Kohn and Alex Sprague were in fourth.

“I know it’s there, it’s just a matter of mak-ing it happen,” Kohn said about his drive toearn a spot on the U.S. national two-manbobsled team.

The change of venue didn’t slow Hayes’momentum, though. He won day two with acombined time of 1:52.35. Kohn fared better,placing second with a combined time of1:52.76. Holcomb placed third with a com-bined time of 1:52.98.As a result of their two-day totals, Holcomb

won the right to pilot USA II in two-manWorld Cup competitions, Kohn will pilotUSA III.

“I’m happy with a third place in that race,”Kohn said. “The real races are going to be onthe World Cup circuit.”

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By Staff Sgt. Stephen HudsonFlorida National Guard Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A drug ring thatreached into Florida, Texas, Mexico, andthroughout the Southeast was broken up dueto the language skills of a Soldier working inthe Florida National Guard's Counterdrugprogram. A Spanish linguist with the Guard's Miami-

based 260th Military Intelligence Battalionand assigned to the Florida National Guard'sjoint Counterdrug program, was able to lis-ten to the coded Spanish conversations andprovide critical information to detectives.

"Everything was done in Spanish and myjob was to keep the detectives informed," thefive-year Counterdrug veteran said.

Detective Leon Ortagus of the JacksonvilleSheriff's Office said the taped conversationsthe linguist heard were crucial in under-standing the ring's movements of drugs andled to 17 arrests and seizures of more than$1.9 million in marijuana, $1.1 million incocaine, with $68,000 in cash, numerousvehicles and weapons.

"The conversations used were complicated

and coded," Ortagus said. "If it wasn't forhim this wouldn't have happened."

Ortagus smiled as he recollected how theSpanish speaking drug smugglers thoughtthey were one step ahead of law enforcementbecause they spoke exclusively in Spanish.Because of one Soldier's understanding ofthe Spanish language he was able to breaktheir coded messages and help detectivesbring down an entire drug smuggling opera-tion.

Dubbed Operation Poppy Seed the interna-tional drug smuggling operation was brokenapart by a multi-jurisdictional task force andinvolved officers from 10 law enforcementagencies and the Florida National Guard.

When officers raided a tractor-trailer inKissimmee and a home in Orlando, theyfound appliances from Mexico with theinside components removed and stuffed withvacuum-sealed packages of drugs. The appli-ances were shipped through Texas, intoAtlanta and then to Tampa, where the drugswere sold across the state. The case unfolded in April when six pounds

of cocaine and two pounds of marijuanawere purchased in Clay County. Severalarrests were made and dealers began toreveal their suppliers. After realizing therewas a larger ring responsible for bringingdrugs into the area, a multi-agency task forcebegan the surveillance that was responsiblefor bringing down the group of drug runners.

"The training we receive in my NationalGuard unit was a huge help because we learnslang from so many different Spanish speak-ing areas," the linguist said. "I am just gladthe training allowed me to better serve thiscase."

(Editor s note: Full name and assignment loca-tion of Soldiers involved with National GuardCounterdrug operations will not be released. )

Guardsman instrumental in major Florida drug bust

WASHINGTON – The Senate approved anamendment offered by U. S. Sen. SaxbyChambliss, member of the Senate ArmedServices Committee, which would lower the

retirement age for members of the UnitedStates National Guard and Reserve. Theamendment passed by a 99-00 vote.

"The way we are using the Guard and

Reserve has fundamentally changed," saidChambliss. "Based on this fact, I think it isonly appropriate to consider that the way wecompensate and reward our Guardsmen andReservists also needs to change."

Currently, after 20 years of service mem-bers of the National Guard and Reserve canbegin receiving retirement pay when theyreach age 60. The Chambliss amendmentreduces the age requirement by three monthsfor every 90 days of active service a reservistperforms in support of a contingency opera-tion in a fiscal year, retroactive to September2001, and sets the minimum age to collectretirement pay at 50.

This amendment makes Guard membersand Reservists, currently fighting the war onterror, eligible for earlier retirement paybased on the amount of time they spend acti-vated in support of a contingency operation.

"When we are a nation at war, as we areright now, there is no more important legis-lation than that which works to improvequality of life issues for all of our Americansoldiers," said Chambliss. "Whether it's payraises, looking after their families, or makingsure they have better than adequate housing,we need our soldiers to know that we standbehind them and honor the great sacrificesthey make on behalf of our county.

“We will continue to provide them with thebest weapons and training available in theworld today to make sure that the UnitedStates Armed Forces remain the strongestmilitary in the world."

The Reserve Officers Association of

America, the National Guard Association ofthe United States, and the Reserve EnlistedAssociation also support this amendmentand see it as an important, responsible stepforward in support of our Guardsmen andReservists, Chambliss said.

Chambliss, R-Ga. and Senate ReserveCaucus member recently met with membersof the Commission on the National Guardand Reserve to discuss issues relative to theneeds and role of the United States NationalGuard and Reserve.

Chambliss encouraged the commissionersto continue considering ways to equalizebenefits for guardsmen and reservists inorder to increase morale and retain currentmembers and attract future members to serv-ice in the Reserve Components.

“If we continue to call on the Guard andReserve as we are today, we need to serious-ly consider ways to equalize their benefitscloser to those of active duty service mem-bers,” said Chambliss.

During an August 2005 visit to Iraq,Chambliss met with members of the GeorgiaNational Guard’s 48th Brigade. He relayedhis experience to the commissioners sayingthat he observed a seamless integrationbetween Guard and active duty Soldiersrelative to training programs and encouragedthe commission to continue thinking of waysto maintain and encourage cooperationbetween the groups.

Chambliss is co-chairman of the SenateReserve Caucus and a member of the GuardCaucus.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Stephen Hudson

Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherfordspeaks to the media about the secondlargest drug bust in the city’s historywhich was broken by a Florida NationalGuard Spanish linguist.

"The training we receive in myNational Guard unit was a hugehelp because we learn slangfrom so many different Spanishspeaking areas. I am just gladthe training allowed me to bet-ter serve this case."

– Counterdrug Soldier

Senate approves National Guard retirement amendment

Photo courtesy of the Sen. Chambliss’ office

U. S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., a member of the Senate Armed ServicesCommittee, traveled to Iraq late this summer to visit with Georgia troopsserving with the 3rd Infantry Division, 48th Brigade.

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Soto brothers stay close during Balad deploymentBy Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore332nd Air Expeditionary Wing

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq – Deployments often meanworking long hours thousands of miles away from familyand friends. But that is not the case for two Air NationalGuard members from Puerto Rico. The Soto brothers aredeployed with the 332nd Expeditionary LogisticsReadiness Squadron.

Tech. Sgt. Orlando Soto and Senior Airman Saul Sotodeployed from the 156th Logistics Readiness Squadron atMuniz Air National Guard Station, Puerto Rico.

They are continuing a family tradition started by theirfather, who served in the Army for 25 years.

"My father inspired me to join the service," Sgt. Sotosaid. "I grew up traveling around other bases. It was thelife we knew, and I enjoyed it."

A supply manager, the sergeant's job is to provide main-tainers with the parts they need to keep their aircraft fly-ing.

"We also take care of the ground troops; providing themwith the tools to accomplish the mission," he said.

The career path Sgt. Soto chose influenced his youngerbrother to join the Air Force 10 years later.

"My brother is really the one who got me into this," saidAirman Soto, a supply technician who has served hisentire career with his older brother. "He told me it was agood job. I look up to him because he is really sharp. So Itook his advice."

Sgt. Soto said he always talked to his younger brotherabout how joining the armed forces would help him tomature.

"It is an honor that my actions inspired him to join theAir Force," he said.

This is the brother's second deployment together. "The times I deployed without my brother, I have been

alone - which was kind of tough," Sgt. Soto said. "I knewcoming here that I would have him here, so it would notbe that bad."

Airman Soto shares his brother's feelings about beingdeployed to Balad.

"I'm really happy my brother is here with me because hemeans a lot in my life. He is my mentor," the airman said.

The bothers confess that their joint deployment madesome of their family members in Puerto Rico a little nerv-ous. In particular, their mother was worried about her sonsgoing to Iraq at the same time.

"She told me to take care of the 'little one.' But, really, weare taking care of each other," Sgt. Soto said. Though assigned to the same squadron, the brothers work

at different locations on the base. But that does not hindertheir ability to spend time together.

"We don't see each other at work much, but outside ofwork we see each other all the time," Sgt. Soto said.

Airmen Soto said they have the same duty hours andsame day off. So when not working, they are together.

"Every day we do something," the airman said. "Wemight go to the gym, exchange or just hang out. I play forour basketball team, and my brother will come to watchthe games."

Having one another is important to the brothers becausethey come from a close family.

"As a family we are very close. Having my brother herewith me has been very good, because we have given eachother support throughout the deployment," Sgt. Soto said.

The younger Soto agrees. "Having my brother here means I have somebody here I

trust, speaks my language and helps in everything,"Airman Soto said. "Even though we miss our family, westill have each other."

Congressman thanks Soldiers in New BraunfelsBy Chief Master Sgt. Gonda MoncadaTexas National Guard Public Affairs

CAMP MABRY, Texas – Texas Army NationalGuardsmen in New Braunfels, Texas, received two certifi-cates of special recognition from U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith,R-Texas, Oct. 18 for their efforts during Hurricane Katrina.The congressman, whose district includes New Braunfels,

which is home to the 4th Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery,stopped by the local armory to thank the men and womenwho had worked so hard to assist their Louisiana neighborsafter Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans and againafter Rita blew through the Gulf Coast.

Lt. Col. Jose Figueroa, battalion commander; MajReginald Barnes, battalion deputy commander; and theSoldiers greeted Congressman Smith, who noted that hehad attended the Texas Military Institute and had undergonetraining at Camp Bullis, but ultimately was unable to pur-sue his career because he could not hear high frequencies.He said he regretted not having been able to pursue a mili-tary career.

Congressman Smith also said that, on the way to thearmory, he had conducted a radio interview in which helauded the accomplishments of the Soldiers who, just afterreturning from Romania for a training mission, weredeployed to Louisiana for 33 days and subsequently assist-ed after Hurricane Rita struck.

"You go where you are needed – regular people with reg-ular jobs but still you responded in a timely manner, andyou represent the best of the best," Congressman Smithsaid. "Because of that I want to give you two presentations:one for Katrina and one for Rita.

The congressman asked one of the female Soldiers whohad deployed to Louisiana whether she had received specialtreatment while in New Orleans."No, we did not," she responded. "And we like it that way.

We slept in strange places like parking garages and onrooftops, and the ultimate in luxury was having a cot tosleep on."

"Sometimes we had to take a shower with a flash light,"the Soldier added. "So, no, I do not think that we receivedspecial treatment. We would be upset if we did."

Texas National Guard photo

U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, enjoys the interchange with Lt. Col. Jose Figueroa and other Soldiers ofthe 4th Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery Regiment, in New Braunfels, Texas.

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what the Guard might have to do should a lotof Americans fall victim to an influenza pan-demic, an epidemic of national or worldwidescope, in the future.

"We're here to get smart on something thatI hope never happens in this country - theavian flu," Blum said.

"Your response to the hurricanes was mag-nificent. Not flawless, but magnificent,nonetheless," Blum praised the Guard lead-ers about their efforts to send a total of58,000 Guard Soldiers and Airmen fromacross the country to support hurricane reliefmissions in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas,Alabama and Texas because of the Augustand September storms named Katrina, Ritaand Wilma.

"No one in this room balked. Not a singlegovernor said 'no.' It was the NationalGuard's finest hour," added Blum of howArmy and Air Guard members rescued18,000 hurricane victims and evacuated70,000 whose homes were damaged ordestroyed. Guard members also distributedfood, water and ice to countless others andhelped keep communities secure.

"Puerto Rico sent 1,200 members of itsNational Guard force to the Gulf Coast.That's remarkable because Puerto Rico sitsin 'hurricane alley,' " Blum told Brig. Gen.Francisco Marquez, Puerto Rico's adjutantgeneral.

"You know you're having a hurricane ifAlabama shows up. Alabama went every-where, in every direction," said Blum to thatstate's Guard leader, Maj. Gen. Mark Bowen.

"It worked well. But we'd rather not haveto do it during the football season," retortedthe affable Bowen from the land of leg-endary college coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and

the Crimson Tide.Maj. Gen. Bennett Landreneau and Maj.

Gen. Harold Cross, the adjutants generalfrom Louisiana and Mississippi, thanked theGuard leaders for all that their troops did tohelp those hard-hit states during video pre-sentations.

"They came to the sound of the gunfire,"said Cross as his video hammered home howbadly Katrina devastated southernMississippi.

Blum and other Guard Bureau staff mem-bers also focused on the possibility of havingto support this country should the H 5 N 1avian influenza, the "bird flu" in Asia,change form so that it becomes contagiousamong humans and preys on people in thiscountry.

Guard leaders were reminded that pandem-ic influenza has occurred three times in thelast century, most recently in 1967, and thatone-third of the people in the U.S. got sickduring the worst one, the 1918 pandemic thatkilled tens of millions of people worldwide.

Guard Bureau staff members explained themedical issues, a concept of operations, legalconsiderations, and public affairs guidelinesshould Guard forces have to help civilianauthorities respond to an outbreak.

Three things would need to happen,explained Lt. Col. Daniel Bochicchio, amedical doctor.A new, novel flu strain has to develop some-

where in the world, as H5N1 did amongbirds in Asia in 1998.

The flu must cause disease in humans.It must spread from person to person.So far, more than 100 people in Southeast

Asia have gotten bird flu, and most of themhave probably had direct contact with infect-

ed birds or their droppings, according to theU.S. Department of Health and HumanServices.

About half of those people have died frombird flu, the department has stated.

Although there have been no cases of birdflu reported in this country, the NationalGuard is already getting ready to respond.

The National Guard is aware of the signifi-cant impact a pandemic outbreak would haveon the nation, and on the Guard as a whole,and is working through several scenarios thatwould allow it to support the war effort over-seas and support communities at home at the

same time, officials said.The National Guard would be fully

involved at the local, state, and federal levelsin the planning and execution of the nation'sresponse to a potential pandemic outbreak. Ithas unique capabilities such as civil supportteams and medical and decontaminationteams that could provide additionalresources to combat a pandemic.

More than 350,000 National Guard areavailable to state governors to support anycrisis, even while approximately 70,000Guard members remain deployed overseas.

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Photo by Master Sgt. Bob Haskell

Maj. Gen. Robert Lee, adjutant general from Hawaii, listens to other NationalGuard leaders discuss the recent hurricane season and the possibility of deal-ing with an influenza pandemic while meeting in Arlington, Va., on Nov. 14.

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Pandemic

Guardsmen dole out millions in cold, hard cashBy Suzanne M. FournierArmy Corps of Engineers

BAGHDAD, Iraq – How is it possible to give someonea million dollars? The largest U.S. bill in circulation is thehundred dollar bill, and it takes 10,000 of those to makeone million dollars. Ten thousand bills!

How about $22 million? That is the amount of cash thatRoberta "Bobbie" West, an accountant at the U.S. ArmyCorps of Engineers Gulf Region Southern District, andthree young Soldiers from the Massachusetts ArmyNational Guard paid in cash to hundreds of Iraqi contrac-tors during eight months.

Sgt. Craig Chisholm, Spc. Luis Alvarez and Spc.Theodore Giannino of the Massachusetts Army NationalGuard's 747th Finance Detachment prepared the transferof the cold, hard cash. Chisholm and Giannino took turnsacting as the paying agent and certifying officer. Alvarezreviewed all documentation submitted for payment toensure accountability.

West is responsible for paying a contractor who com-pletes a contract to construct or renovate a school, hospi-tal, road, police station, fire station, water or electricalsystem or any of more than a thousand contracts awardedin the southern nine provinces of Iraq. She preparedpaperwork for the transfer of cash after engineers notified

her that the work was completed at the construction site. "This payment system is a bit out of the ordinary, but it

gets the money into the hands of small contractors whootherwise couldn't compete," said Nick Ash, resourcemanager for the corps' Southern District. "These cashpayments helped prevent work stoppages and developedlasting positive working relationships with the Iraqi peo-ple."

In order to boost the fledgling Iraqi economy and pro-vide entrepreneur contractors with the opportunities tocompete, the corps arranged to pay contractors in cashafter they completed a certain portion of the contract. Inthis way, more small contractors are able to bid and com-plete for construction contracts to enhance the quality oflife for the Iraqi people. Small contractors hire local Iraqiworkers, so the money goes back into the local economy."I have had the pleasure of working with Sgt. Chisholm,

Spc. Alvarez and Spc. Giannino since my arrival at CampAdder in July. They've made the process of cash pay-ments flow smoothly and exhibited a high level of pro-fessionalism and customer service," said West. "I am par-ticularly impressed with the respect they've shown toIraqi businessmen."

Chisholm, Giannino and Alvarez returned toMassachusetts with the rest of the 747th on Oct. 22.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo

Spc. Luis Alvarez, Spc. Theodore Giannino, and Sgt.Craig Chisholm (from left) of the Massachusetts ArmyNational Guard and Roberta "Bobbie" West, U.S. ArmyCorps of Engineers, watch Iraqi contractors complete thepaperwork to accept a cash payment after completingtheir part of a reconstruction contract.

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Citizen-Soldiers find oasis in the desertSgt. Kara Greene115th Area Support Group PANCO

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – Eight Soldiersgathered in the early morning around theCamp Arifjan, Kuwait pool. They arrivedfor their first practice with swimsuits undertheir shorts, sporting flip flops and swimcaps, with towels in hand and smiles ontheir faces.

"How do the horses get in the water?"asked 1st Lt. Sally Gill, a member of the115th Area Support Group water polo club.A buzz of laughter broke out among thegroup. The team started practicing inOctober under the coaching of 1st Lt.Keegan Smith, 115th headquarters com-mander.

"About four of us have played water polobefore, mostly in high school," said Smith,who started the water polo club in an effortto expose Soldiers to a new sport. "Whenwe started this program, it was like bring-ing a part of my life with me to Kuwait,"said the California native.

Three days a week for over an hour, theteam practices their eggbeater, a techniqueof treading water, their pump-fake, andhow to catch and throw a water polo ball.

Somewhere between the initial organizedstretching, the numerous laps swam andcleaning up equipment, the Soldiers growan understanding of the sport as well asdevelop a sense of teamwork.

"Through it all, they're always smiling,"said Smith.

And the individual efforts of the teammembers don't go unnoticed according toMaster Sgt. Derrell Hill, one of the moreexperienced members of the team. "Everyday after practice, Lt. Smith sends an emailout thanking us for our hard work andtelling us what went well and how proud heis. His excitement is contagious, eventhrough email," he said.

The team has grown to nearly 15 mem-bers. However, because of around-the-clock staffing at work, not all Soldiers canattend every practice. "I offer incentives to

keep the Soldiers excited," said Smith. After attending three practices, a Soldier

officially becomes a team member. There'sno paperwork or fancy ceremony, but theteam member earns a USA Water Poloshirt.

"I give these guys credit for practicing atsix in the morning when it's so cold," saidSmith. The team stopped practice for win-ter break as the water in the Arifjan pool isteetering around 60 degrees and the pool isclosed for maintenance. Practice willresume at the end of February, coincidingwith the reopening of the pool.

Smith coached at Jesuit High School inCarmichael, Calif., before deploying. Healso has experience in the pool at both thehigh school and collegiate level. While fin-ishing his bachelor's degree at SacramentoState University, Smith started a water poloclub, leading his team to a top ten rating incollegiate clubs by USA Water Polo in1995-96.

"I've received support from USA WaterPolo and S & R Sports," said Smith. Hegained donations of swim caps, shirts andballs from the two groups. And the water polo club is gaining nation-

al attention in the media. USA Water Polopublished an online article about the club.Read more about the team at www.usawa-terpolo.org or in USA Water Polo theMagazine in the coming months.

Photos by Sgt. Robert Scott

Staff Sgt. Christina Petersen (blue cap) looks for an open teammate as two defenders attempt to block her pass.

Back Row: Sgt. Kara Greene, 1st Lt. Keegan Smith, Sgt. Justin McCauley,Master Sgt. Derrell Hill, Sgt. Darrin Miller, Capt. James Mendoza. Front Row:2nd Lt. Walter Wade, Capt. John Ochwatt, 2nd Lt. Erik Underwood, Spc.Danielle Mchugh, 1st Lt. Sally Gill.

Master Sgt. Derrell Hill takes a shoton goalie and coach 1st Lt. KeeganSmith.

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Air Guard redeploys hi-tech systemsBy Van WilliamsDefense Reutilization and Marketing Service

Air National Guardsmen went to the ends ofthe earth to move 12 microwave landing sys-tems (MLS) from Alaska to Antarctica.

Their story is worthy of a Jules Verne orJack London novel, with characters crossingthe globe from the Middle East's hot desertsto Alaska's frozen tundra.

The tale involves civilian governmentworkers and folks in uniform teaming up tosave American taxpayers $60 million, mov-ing equipment that could save lives.

The abandoned dozen

The tale begins in the early 1990s, when anAlaskan regional airline went out of busi-ness, leaving the landing systems behind.

Each system is housed in three red andwhite buildings, each about the size of abackyard shed. The advanced guidance sys-tems inside those sheds help planes and hel-icopters land in difficult terrain and poorweather.

The systems meet international standards,and most commercial airlines use some ver-sion.

But no one was using the dozen in Alaska.In August 2003, the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA) decided it was time toget rid of the equipment. Kim Doner – acivilian contractor and former DefenseReutilization and Marketing Service(DRMS) employee working with the FAA atthe time – suggested taking advantage ofDRMS' expertise at handling surplus equip-ment.

While DRMS checked with federal andstate agencies to see who needed the landingsystems, the FAA sought the money to movethem.

Two of the systems were needed inSchenectady, N.Y., where the Air NationalGuard's 109th Airlift Wing uses unique LC-130 Hercules aircraft equipped with skis aslanding gear to transport supplies and peopleto the National Science Foundation's U.S.Antarctica Program.An operations officer at that unit suggested

other systems could go to the McMurdo andAmundsen-Scott South Pole Station. The109th Air Wing was using mobile versions ofthe landing systems on loan from theNational Guard Bureau, but the portable sys-tems weren't built to withstand wind-drivensnow or such extreme temperatures; refur-bished systems from Alaska would be better.

Between Iraq and a far place

Meanwhile, in Southwest Asia, SeniorMaster Sgt. Gordon Cariveau and his teamfrom the Minnesota Air National Guard's210th Engineer Installation Squadron wereserving in Operation Iraqi Freedom when therequest came to move the 2,000 lb. to 5,000lb. systems.

"I guess the biggest challenge was coordi-

nation," Cariveau said. "I was on conferencecalls in the middle of the night from thedesert, trying to work out a schedule."

Eleven of the 12 members of Cariveau'steam are traditional Guardsmen with fulltime civilian jobs. Cariveau had to plan thelogistics of getting cranes, forklifts, trucksand other equipment to remote sites inAlaska – and he also had to coordinate timeoff from work for most of his crew.

Cariveau wasn't working alone. He praisedthe FAA for help with regional airline andmotel reservations and vehicles and person-nel for local transportation of some of thesystems from Homer and Valdez toAnchorage. And Minnesota's 133 Air Wingflew Cariveau's team, gear and six-passengervan on a C-130 from Minnesota toAnchorage.

At the edge of the world

The team arrived in Alaska on June 6, 2004,with a big job ahead of them: 12 sites, threeshelters per site, 36 buildings in all.

Cariveau divided his crew into three teams.Those teams moved out to places like Cold

Bay, Dutch Harbor and St. Mary's. Part ofone system was on St. Paul Island, in theBering Sea. The island is about eight mileslong and four miles wide, just big enough toget lost on.

Out-of-the-way places were just one of thechallenges facing the Guardsmen.

"One team came upon a shelter that sat ona cliff overhang with no way to get under itwith a forklift," Cariveau said. "The crewimprovised and placed plywood skids underthe building, and a bulldozer crawler pulledit to a safe position to be taken out."

One by one, the MLS units were packedand shipped to Anchorage, where Raytheontechnicians overhauled the units and fittedthem with skids to make them easier to han-dle in snow and ice.

From Anchorage, it was off to Schenectadyand Antarctica, where the U.S. AntarcticProgram coordinates almost all U.S. scientif-ic research in the Antarctic. Scientists areworking to understand the Antarctic and itsecosystems and the region's impact on glob-al problems such as climate change.

Thanks to the combined efforts of theDefense Logistics Agency, DRMS, the Air

National Guard, and the FAA, the New YorkAir National Guard and the U.S. AntarcticaNational Science Foundation have radar sys-tems better suited to hostile environments –even if it meant going to the ends of theearth.

Photos courtesy of the 210th EIS

Members of the Minnesota Air National Guard's 210th Engineer Installation Squadron secure microwave landing sys-tems to a flatbed truck.

Destination: Amundsen-Scott SouthPole Station.

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systems from ends of the earth

Photos courtesy of the New York National Guard

A New York Air National Guard LC-130 lands atthe South Pole.

Photo courtesy of the Minnestoa National Guard

Minnesota Air National Guard 210th EIS members commemorate the completion of their mission.

Air Guard members unload supplies.Two local residents check out one of the newmicrowave landing systems.

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Wounded but still serving ...

Spc. Timothy Banks (right), a 188th Air Defense Artillery Soldier, is award-ed the Purple Heart by 116th Brigade Combat Team Commander Brig. Gen.Alan Gayhart Sept. 16 at FOB (Forward Operations Base) Warrior, Iraq.Banks received the award for wounds received when an improvised explo-sive device detonated on his patrol en route to FOB Warrior earlier thissummer. Banks serves with F Battery, 188th Air Defense Artillery.

National Guardsmen assisting in Wilma's wakeBy Army Capt. Steve AlvarezAmerican Forces Press Service

ORLANDO, Fla. – National Guard soldiersfrom the Carolinas and New York are pro-viding air and communications support toFlorida in the wake of Hurricane Wilma. Aircrews have airlifted hospital patients inthe Florida Keys, and communications teamsare providing satellite, video and radio com-munication capabilities to assist emergencyworkers in their operations, Guard officialssaid. The communications packages provide"crossband" capability, enabling emergencyworkers with incompatible communicationsequipment to talk to one another. Under the national Emergency ManagementAssistance Compact, troops from the NorthCarolina, South Carolina and New YorkNational Guards have deployed to Florida tohelp in hurricane-relief operations. The com-pact establishes a partnership among statesto provide aid and assistance during emer-gencies. When states request assistancethrough EMAC, the compact makes it easierfor member states to send personnel andequipment to help in disaster-relief opera-tions. "New York State's Emergency Management

Office and National Guard continue toanswer the call for assistance whenever orwherever help is needed," New York Gov.George Pataki said as the storm approached.

More than 3,000 Florida National Guardmembers are on state active duty, mobilizedby Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in the wake of thestorm.

State officials say the storm is responsiblefor at least six deaths and knocked out elec-trical power to roughly six million people insouthern Florida. Officials estimate damageto be in the billions of dollars. SomeFloridians are expected to be without electri-cal power for several weeks.

As Wilma trekked eastward to Florida'sAtlantic Coast soldiers deployed to Monroe,Miami-Dade, Broward and Collier counties,locales that appeared to be the hardest hit.

At Homestead Air Reserve Base, locatedabout 30 minutes south of Miami, the AirReserve's 482nd Fighter Wing was assessingdamage to the base. Before the storm theReservists had relocated their F-16CFighting Falcons and F-15 Strike Eagles toGeorgia and Texas.

Patrick Air Force Base, four hours north ofMiami, closed as Wilma swept across thepeninsula but has been given the all-clear,and personnel have begun to report back towork. Aside from communications and airlift sup-

port, Florida has not asked for assistancefrom the Defense Department, Air Forceofficials said.

The Secretary of the Army was there to welcome theSoldiers home.

“Perhaps your greatest achievements are intangible,” saidSecretary of the Army Francis Harvey. “You vividly demon-strated to the country what we in the Army have known for along time, and that is the National Guard is a very competentorganization that is very well-led with Soldiers who are ded-icated, courageous, disciplined and professional.”

New York’s Rainbow Division worked in the heart of theSunni Triangle where they captured or killed more than 2,000insurgents, conducted more than 4,500 raids and capturedmore than 400 enemy weapons stockpiles.About 3,000 Soldiers from the 42nd deployed to Iraq where

they were part of Task Force Liberty, providing a foundationfor the Army to build a combat task force for operations. Theyalso provided the command and control, logistics and opera-tional base for combat brigades to succeed in their missions.Harvey praised the role the division played in the successful

referendum on the Iraqi Constitution that took place inOctober.

“During the referendum on the new constitution, voterturnout in the 42nd area of operation was well over 70 per-cent,” said Harvey. “This is a clear testament to the level ofsecurity your Soldiers provided. It also underscored your hardwork in giving the Iraqi people confidence in the politicalprocess for the new Iraq.”

Since February, Task Force Liberty assisted the Iraqi forcesin becoming more capable of planning and executing inde-pendent operations against the insurgency. Nine forwardoperation bases in their area were closed or transferred toIraqi control.

Before the transfer of authority Nov. 1, Task Force Libertyengineers supervised nearly 1,400 projects worth $757 mil-lion and initiated more than 800 projects that are still under-way.“These Soldiers represent all that is right and good about our

Nation,” said Harvey, “and clearly they have helped advancethe cause of freedom.

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42nd Force generation requires four R’sBy Col. Randy Pullen Army News Service

WASHINGTON – An all-star paneldiscussed the Army’s evolving force-generation system last month and thefour R’s that it addresses: rebalanc-ing, resetting, recapitalizing andredeploying.

Gen. Dan McNeill, commandinggeneral of Forces Command, led thepanel on Army Force Generation,commonly called ARFORGEN, atthe Association of the United StatesArmy’s Annual Meeting Oct. 4.

Explaining the genesis for theArmy’s restructuring, McNeill saidthat the Army’s leadership had rec-ognized early that the War onTerrorism would last a long time andthat the 33 brigades the Army hadSept. 12, 2001, would not be enoughto wage that war.

Resetting comes firstThe Army is taking its existing for-

mations, pulling them apart intopieces and then putting them backtogether in a new way, McNeill said,thus creating more formations whichare also more powerful.

“We started with the 3rd InfantryDivision,” he said, "then continueddoing this with the 101st AirborneDivision, the 4th Infantry Divisionand the 10th Mountain Division.”

Along with the flexibility that

comes with having modular unitsand more of them, ARFORGEN alsoentails a sequential approach toreadiness that synchronizes unitcapabilities and readiness reportingwith equipping and resourcing strate-gies, McNeill said. He said thisimproves predictability for com-manders, Soldiers and their families.

Three force pools The ARFORGEN system places

units in one of three force pools: • an initial Reset/Train pool for unitsredeploying from long operations;• a Ready pool that includes modularunits assessed as “ready” to conductmission preparation and training; • and an Available pool that includesmodular units assessed as “avail-able” to conduct missions in supportof any regional combatant com-mander or serve as rapidly deploy-able contingency forces.

If required, units in the Ready poolcan be resourced and committed tomeet surge operational needs,McNeill said.

All active- and reserve-componentunits pass through the Available poolunder this cyclical approach,McNeill said. Active units are in theone-year window of the availablepool every three years, ArmyReserve units are available everyfive years and Army National Guardunits are available every six years.

McNeill said he envisioned having12-16 active brigade combat teamsand three to four National GuardBCTs in the Available pool.

“The process has to result in rele-vant output: trained and ready forcesthat could do the job,” McNeill said. unit’s go-to-war strength.

Guard must balanceforce structure

The director of the Army NationalGuard, Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn,echoed Helmly’s concerns on reduc-ing cross-leveling and solving theimbalance in authorized strength andforce structure. He saw great benefitsfrom the ARFORGEN system inaddressing these issues.

“We are 100 percent behindARFORGEN,” Vaughn said.

Vaughn said the Army NationalGuard must be a full-spectrum force,with modernized combat support andcombat service support. Althoughthere will be some specialized forces,the focus will be on the 34 modularbrigade combat teams. McNeill wrapped up the panel by

saying that the ARFORGEN processwould be value added to the Army,giving improved predictability ofavailable forces and decreasing thejoint force commander’s uncertaintywhether or not needed units will beready when called upon.

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New York Guard s Brainstorm earns Defense awardBy Maj. Nahaku McFaddenNational Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va. – A groundbreakingNew York National Guard counterdrugprogram that focuses on schoolchildren hasbeen recognized by the Department ofDefense as the best Drug DemandReduction Program in the National Guard.The program, "Brainstorm," providesimportant anti-drug information to 9,000third and fourth-graders.

The annual Secretary of DefenseCommunity Drug Awareness Awards cere-mony was held Oct. 24 at the Pentagon tokick off "Red Ribbon Week," an annualweek-long national celebration that focus-es on keeping young people off drugs.

Host Thomas O'Connell, assistant secre-tary of defense for special operations andlow-intensity conflict, said the programwas created 15 years ago to promote excel-lence among Department of Defense anti-drug organizations and encourage volun-teer efforts by service members. "These awards recognize the best demand-reduction program in each service, theNational Guard and the defense agencies,"O'Connell said.The New York Guard's "Brainstorm" pro-

gram received the award for its unique wayof reaching out to children. This programshows school children what drugs do totheir brains and highlights the fact that justone use of drugs can cause addiction.

Air Guard Tech Sgt. Marlene Frankovic,an administrator with the counterdrug pro-gram for nine years, accepted the Defense

award on behalf of 30 fellow New YorkCounterdrug Task Force members.

"I can't describe the feeling," saidFrankovic. "I enjoy making a differencewith the kids."The unique aspect of this program is that

we see the same third and fourth graders onfour different occasions," she added, "Thisallows us to establish relationships. After afew times, if the children see us on thestreets, they come up to us and say 'Hello.'" Frankovic said the four-part "Brainstorm"

program warns youngsters of the dangersand effects of alcohol and marijuana on thebrain. Each time they meet with the stu-dents, they receive new practical exercisesand watch a video.

The series is divided into four, one-hourblocks of instruction: Your Brain - What'sGoing on in There?; CommunicationBreakdown; The Good, the Bad and theUgly; and Brain Drain.

A question and answer session followseach program, allowing the students toapply what they have learned to their per-sonal experiences.

"This program is very effective. We areseeing kids who have participated in theprogram waking up their parents and peersto the dangers of drugs," Frankovic stated."If you know the dangers of drugs, youwon't do them."Red Ribbon Week is a tribute to the life of

Drug Enforcement Administration SpecialAgent Enrique S. "Kiki" Camarena, whowas kidnapped, tortured and murdered bydrug traffickers in Mexico in 1985. Thisyear marks the 20th anniversary of his

untimely death.Citizens in his hometown of Calexico,

Calif., began wearing red ribbons toremember him and honor his sacrifice. Theanti-drug message spread quickly and isnow the most far-reaching and well-knowndrug prevention event in the country. Thered ribbon symbolizes a continued com-mitment to reducing the demand for illegal

drugs through prevention and educationprograms.

As the lyrics of a Whiney Houston songstate, Frankovic believes the children areour future. Armed with Brainstorm, sheinsists, New York's Counterdrug TaskForce is committed to spreading the anti-drug message and keeping KikiCamarena's spirit alive.

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Department of Defense photo

National Guard Counterdrug Soldiers and Airmen pose with Miss USA,Chelsea Cooley, after the New York Guard members received theDepartment of Defense award for the National Guard's best Drug DemandReduction program at the Pentagon on Oct. 24.

Indiana Guard members respond to tornado's wrathBy Sgt. Mike KriegIndiana National Guard

EVANSVILLE, Ind. - The Indiana NationalGuard responded to a state emergency insouthwest Indiana after a destructive tornadoand high winds killed 23 people on Nov. 6.

The Indiana National Guard assisted in therecovery efforts following the devastatingtornado and direct line winds that sweptthrough Vanderburgh and Warrick Counties.

More than 150 Guard members wereordered by Gov. Mitch Daniels to assist inthe recovery mission.

Members of the 1st Battalion, 163rd FieldArtillery based in Evansville, the 1stBattalion, 152nd Infantry Regiment based inJasper, the 181st Fighter Wing based in TerreHaute, and members of the Indiana JointForces Headquarters were among thosecalled to serve.The Soldiers and Airmen worked to support

state and local emergency management offi-cials moving household debris and helping toproviding security for communities.

"We hear so much on the news about mis-sions we're conducting overseas," saidMaster Sgt. Scott Cowling, HeadquartersBattery, 1st Battalion, 163rd Field Artillery.

"But, many Indiana residents feel that a lot ofthe Guard's responsibility should be local.And anytime we get the opportunity to aidthe public – especially in a disaster of thismagnitude – it makes me a lot more proud tobe a representative of the National Guard andaid in the rebuilding efforts of one of ourown local communities and help to put peo-ple's lives back in order."

"90 percent of everybody will just stop andthank us, even if we haven't directly helpedthem out," said Pfc. Ross Pierson, CompanyB, 1st Battalion, 152nd Infantry Regiment."They really appreciate us being here. Youknow you're doing your job then and that'swhat we're here for."The Citizen-Soldiers employed various mil-

itary vehicles and equipment to assist inmobility and clearing afflicted areas. Thatincluded using 5-ton trucks, Humvees,wreckers and lighting equipment.

"During my previous deployment to Iraq,the devastation in that war zone didn't com-pare to the rubble that I am seeing here. Thisis worse in scale to some of what we saw inIraq," said Sgt. Matthew Brown,Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 163rdField Artillery.

Photo by Sgt. Mike Krieg

Spc. Karl Davis, of A Battery, 1st Battalion, 163rd Field Artillery, Evansville,Ind., searches through the wreckage of a mobile home in VanderburghCounty. An F-3 tornado ripped through the mobile home park at 2 a.m. onNov. 6. A total of 23 people died as a result of the storm.

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largest disaster response since 1906."The call to duty can sometimes only be

answered by the ultimate sacrifice, and yetyou still answer," Vaughn said.

Turning to the Medal of Honor recipients,Vaughn said, "For these unique servicemembers, there were no questions. When thechaos of battle unfurled in front of each ofthem, they responded, 'I will.' "

The son of Arkansas sharecroppers, Bacondropped out of high school to help his fami-ly after his father contracted polio. TheBacons survived bad weather, crop-destroy-ing insects and unreliable prices.

In 1963, the 18-year-old Bacon and ninefriends shaved each other's heads before theyenlisted. In Vietnam, Bacon found himself atwhat Vaughn called "the intersection of hap-penstance and hell" when the staff sergeantand his fellow Soldiers faced witheringenemy fire during an operation west of TamKy.

It wasn't until he was back at Fort Hood,Texas, that Bacon learned the full conse-quences of his decisions during those brutalhours near Tam Ky.

"Everybody was looking for me," he said."It was really weird. Gen. Westmoreland hadcalled - his secretary had called for me.Everybody wanted to know what it wasabout.

The general told Bacon he would receivethe Medal of Honor.

"It's a lot harder to wear it than it ever wasto earn it," Bacon said. "It is something youcan't take off once it's put on. There are a lotof expectations that come with it. You don'town it, you just wear it. It's something thateverybody understands that wears the uni-form."

Since President Richard Nixon gave himthe medal in 1969, Bacon has spoken atnumerous ceremonies on national holidaysand other occasions nationwide. He hasserved on presidential commissions and led astate agency.

"The Army National Guard was good tome," Bacon said. He enlisted in the ArizonaNational Guard, then transferred to theRegular Army, retiring as a first sergeant in1984.

Alfred Rascon did it the other way around,serving in the Regular Army before he joinedthe District of Columbia National Guard.Rascon originally intended to spend sixmonths with the Guard but stayed more thantwo years and served in Afghanistan and Iraqbefore retiring as a major from the ArmyReserve."You end up being this country's silent war-

riors," he told Guard members at theNational Guard Memorial Building where hewas honored by the National GuardAssociation of the United States. "Lots ofpeople don't pay attention to that."

After the morning ceremony and lunch atthe Massachusetts Avenue memorial, Rascondrove his Jaguar across the nation's capitol,where he has served at the highest levels ofpower as director of the Selective Service

System. But he didn't dwell on his Medal ofHonor, his presidential appointment or otherlifetime achievements.He remembered where he came from.

"You've got to remember how you gotthere," he said. "You have individuals whoforget, and all of a sudden they're elitistswhen they're just like everybody else."

He still marvels at his nomination andappointment to the Selective ServiceSystem. "I was looked at based on myskills," he said. "It was incredible. Thoseskills were taught to me by the military."Rascon was born in Chihuahua, Mexico. He

was 3 when his parents immigrated.Growing up in Oxnard, Calif., he heardabout the ongoing Korean War and idolizedthe Airmen, Sailors and Marines who servedat nearby installations.

But his real reverence was reserved forparatroopers. The young Rascon craftedparachutes from bed sheets and made believeuntil he could enlist.Rascon said would-be Guard members need

the heart and will to succeed. "Not every-body is made out to be in the military," hesaid. "The National Guard is a great opportu-nity. It's an opportunity to do what you wantbased on who you are and what you've done.You can end up doing whatever you thinkyou can do."

Like Bacon, Rascon describes the Medal ofHonor as more of a responsibility than areward. "The day they put that blue ribbonaround your neck, your life changes com-pletely," he said. "You end up being an indi-vidual who is looked at - through no fault ofyourself or others - as a national hero, somesay as a national treasure. You have an obli-gation to carry it with dignity.

"It's not yours. It ends up being for everyman and woman who has been or is servingin the military."

Rascon and Bacon on Nov. 10 joined theranks of men such as William "Buffalo Bill"Cody, Charles Lindberg and Audie Murphy,men honored on the walls of the NationalGuard Memorial Building and at ArlingtonHall as Guardsmen and Medal of Honorrecipients, 121 of them since 1898.

Rascon said he was scared during his life-changing minutes in Vietnam, the minuteswhen he received wounds grave enough toearn him the Sacrament of Last Rites as hesaved the lives of brothers in arms. "Thetraining you've had makes you put that asideand do the things that you were supposed tobe doing," he said. "After it's over, you say,'Jesus, I'm going to die.'

"Your peers and your noncommissionedofficers found you to be an exceptional per-son that day," Rascon said. "In reality, youwere just doing your job."

FROM PAGE 1

MOH The medal's history

On Dec. 9, 1861, Iowa Sen. James W.Grimes introduced S. No. 82 in theUnited States Senate, a bill designed to"promote the efficiency of the Navy" byauthorizing the production and distribu-tion of "medals of honor." On Dec. 21the bill was passed, authorizing 200such medals be produced "which shallbe bestowed upon such petty officers,seamen, landsmen and Marines as shalldistinguish themselves by their gallantryin action and other seamanlike qualitiesduring the present war (Civil War)."President Lincoln signed the bill and the(Navy) Medal of Honor was born.

Two months later on Feb. 17, 1862,Massachusetts Sen. Henry Wilson intro-duced a similar bill, this one to authorize"the President to distribute medals toprivates in the Army of the United Stateswho shall distinguish themselves in bat-tle." Over the following months word-ing changed slightly as the bill made itsway through Congress. When PresidentAbraham Lincoln signed S.J.R. No 82into law as 12 Stat. 623-624 on July 14,1862, the Army Medal of Honor wasborn. It read in part:

Resolved by the Senate and House ofRepresentatives of the United States ofAmerica in Congress assembled, Thatthe President of the United States be,and he is hereby, authorized to causetwo thousand "medals of honor" to beprepared with suitable emblematicdevices, and to direct that the same bepresented, in the name of the Congress,to such noncommissioned officers andprivates as shall most distinguish them-selves by their gallantry in action, andother Soldier-like qualities, during thepresent insurrection (Civil War)."With this simple and rather obscure act

Congress created a unique award thatwould achieve prominence in Americanhistory like few others.

The Navy medal was the first to bestruck, followed quickly by the Armyversion of this award. There are threedifferent types of Medals of Honortoday: the original simple star shapeestablished in 1861 which the Navy,Marine Corps and Coast Guard haveretained; a wreath version designed in1904 for the Army; and an alteredwreath version for the Air Force,designed in 1963 and adopted in 1965.

Photo by Richard Arnold, National Guard Association of the United States

Retired Army Reserve Maj. Alfred Rascon and retired 1st Sgt. Nicky Bacon, for-mer members of the Army National Guard, were honored as Medal of Honorrecipients during Veterans Day ceremonies in Washington and Arlington, Va.,on Nov. 10.

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Medal of Honor Gallery: Six Citizen-Soldiers HonoredBy John ListmanNational Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va. – The National GuardAssociation opened its Memorial Building in1991, including a special area called theMedal of Honor Gallery.

The gallery spotlights Guardsmen whoearned the nation's highest honor for valor.The men fit one of three classifications. "Those serving in the Guard before entering

active duty for the period when the Medalwas awarded.

"Those who were drilling members of aGuard unit when it was mobilized for theconflict during which the Medal was award-ed. The recipient may or may not still havebeen serving with his original Guard unitwhen the Medal was earned.

"Those who earned the Medal and thenjoined the Guard.

The names of 115 Guardsmen are includedin the gallery, listed by state.

Over the past decade, the records of otherMedal recipients were scrutinized for possi-ble inclusion in the gallery. Six fit the crite-ria, and on Nov. 10 their names were addedon an addendum panel.

When the Medal of Honor Gallery wasopened it was found to be so impressive thatthe National Guard Bureau soon had an exactduplicate installed in the Army NationalGuard Readiness Center at Arlington Hall.

On Nov. 10, a duplicate panel - fabricatedat the same time by the same firm that madethe addendum panel for the MemorialBuilding - was also added at the ArlingtonHall.

The six men whose names were addedinclude an American president, a generalwhose valor saved his comrades but cost himhis life and a first-generation American sobadly wounded he was given the Sacramentof Last Rites but survived and went on tohead a federal agency.

Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt is the only presidentawarded the Medal of Honor.

Roosevelt joined the 8th Regiment, NewYork National Guard, as a captain in 1886,but resigned in 1888 to enter politics.

Soon after America declared war againstSpain in 1898, Roosevelt -- with the rank oflieutenant colonel -- joined the 1st U.S.Volunteer Cavalry, commonly known as the"Rough Riders."

In Cuba, on July 1, 1898, the Rough Riderswere assigned to capture Kettle Hill, to theright of San Juan Hill, which was to beattacked by other American troops.

Roosevelt, leading his dismounted menfrom horseback, charged up the hill intoheavy Spanish fire. Forced to dismountbecause of a wire fence running across thehill, Roosevelt continued on foot, encourag-ing his men to take the summit. Just as theycaptured it, he looked at San Juan Hill andsaw the American assault was tied down byconcentrated enemy fire.

The future president ordered his men tocharge across a saddle between the hills andhit the Spanish flank. This attack proved sosuccessful that the enemy was soon in flightand the Americans held the hill.

Roosevelt was recommended for the Medalin 1898 but because of political rivalries itwas only awarded by Congress in 2000.

John Moran

While the Rough Riders were making his-tory half a world away, Capt. John Moran,commanding Co. C, 1st Montana VolunteerInfantry landed near Manila, in thePhilippines, as part of the invasion force totake the islands from Spain. This was accom-plished with little bloodshed. The U.S. soonannexed the islands as an American colony;leading Filipino guerrillas to launch attacksagainst the Army in a bid for freedom.

Like other Guard units still in-country, the1st Montana found itself engaged in pitchedbattles against the insurgents. By the springof 1899 the Guard units were being senthome and a call went out from the Armylooking for volunteers to fill the ranks ofnewly organized regiments.

Capt. Moran volunteered and was assignedto the 37th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers. OnSeptember 17, 1900, he earned the Medal by"fearlessly (leading) a small body of troopsunder severe fire and through water waistdeep in the attack against the enemy." Moranreceived the Medal in 1901 and returnedhome to a career in law enforcement.

Merritt Edson

Serving in the 1st Vermont Infantry on theMexican border in 1916 was Pvt. MerrittEdson. He enlisted in the Guard in 1915 butupon his return home from the border in1917, he transferred to the Marines.

By 1942 America was embroiled in WorldWar II and Col. Edson commanded the FirstMarine Raider Battalion.

On the night of Aug. 13-14, 1942, his menwere securing what later came to be called"Bloody Ridge," overlooking HendersonAirfield on the island of Guadacanal.

Vicious Japanese attacks collapsed part of

the Marine position, causing the men to fallback. Under the calm direction of Edson,they soon reestablished a new defensive lineand despite repeated enemy assaults theMarines held their ground.All during the night Edson "was all over the

place, encouraging, cajoling and correctingas he continually exposed himself to enemyfire." He was awarded the Medal in 1943.When Maj. Gen. Edson retired in 1947, heheld two Navy Crosses besides the Medal ofHonor, making him one of the most decorat-ed men in Marine Corps history.

Frederick Castle

Another private getting his start in theGuard was Frederick Castle, who served inNew Jersey's 173rd Motor TransportCompany, 44th Division, from October 1924until his acceptance to West Point in July1926.

After graduating in 1930, Castle wasassigned to the Air Corps, rising to the rankof brigadier general in 1944. He was theAssistant Commander, 4th BombardmentWing, 8th Air Force, flying missions overNazi-occupied Europe.

While leading a 2,000-strong bomber mis-sion on Christmas Eve, 1944, over enemypositions in the Ardennes Forest of Belgium,one of the four engines on Castle's B-17 lostpower.

Rather than risk the mission, Castledropped out of formation, lagging furtherbehind with each mile. As his plane -- stillfull of the bombs he did not want to drop onAllied troops below -- came under repeatedGerman fighter attacks, two other engineswere set ablaze.

When it became apparent his aircraft wasgoing to crash, Gen. Castle remained at thecontrols, allowing the rest of the crew to bailout but costing his own life. He was posthu-mously awarded the Medal in 1946.

Alfred Rascon

Alfred Rascon, an immigrant from Mexico,enlisted in the Army in 1962. He was a medicassigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade whenit deployed to Vietnam in 1965. On March16, 1966, his unit came under a concertedattack by more than a battalion of enemy sol-diers.

Several members in the point (lead) posi-tion were wounded in the opening moments.Spec. 4 Rascon, with no regard for his ownsafety dashed through a hail of bullets toreach one of the injured. Covering the manwith his own body, he dragged him to safety,being wounded himself in the hip.

Rascon then exposed himself again to takeammunition to a machine gunner who wasrunning low. Several more times he jour-neyed into hostile fire to retrieve woundedcomrades, each time suffering more wounds.

By the end of the action, Rascon had suf-fered so many wounds he was given the LastRites, but recovered.

Originally awarded the Silver Star for hisactions, members of Rascon's unit -- includ-ing those men whose lives he saved -- foughtfor years for him to be awarded the Medal ofHonor. Finally in 1999 Congress approvedand in February 2000 he received the Medalfrom President Bill Clinton.

On July 12, 2001, Rascon joined theMobilization Augmentation DetachmentFour, District of Columbia Army NationalGuard. He retired as a major from the USARin 2005.

Nicky Bacon

Eighteen-year-old Nicky Bacon joined theArizona Army Guard's Headquarters, 3rdBattalion, 158th Infantry in 1963.

By 1964, Bacon decided to enlist in theRegular Army. On August 26, 1968, nearTam Ky, Vietnam, Staff Sgt. Bacon – then amember of the 23rd "Americal" InfantryDivision – and his platoon came under with-ering machine gun and rifle fire from wellconcealed enemy positions.

Bacon organized his men and led them for-ward, destroying a bunker single-handedly.Soon his platoon leader was wounded andBacon took command, directing coveringfire as they moved the wounded. When a sec-ond platoon attempted to come to their relief,its leadership was also wounded. Bacon,without hesitation, assumed command of ittoo and established a defensive perimeter. Inthe process he is credited with killing fourenemy soldiers and destroying an antitankweapon.

Bacon then climbed on top of a destroyedtank and directed his men from its exposedlocation, allowing several wounded men tobe removed. Soon, he had his men movingforward, and the enemy broke contact, end-ing the battle. For his inspired leadership andselfless courage, he was presented the Medalof Honor by President Richard Nixon in1969. After retiring as a First Sergeant fromthe Army in 1984 he served as the Director,Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Contacting a Family Program Coordinator near youThe National Guard Family

Program office in each state jointforce headquarters (JFHQ) isdesigned to assist family mem-bers of all service members,regardless of the military organi-zation or status, with informa-tion and/or referrals. Followingis a list of Family Programoffices in the 54 states and terri-tories followed by Wing FamilyProgram Coordinators.

AlaskaState Family Program Director Jan MyersP.O. Box 5800Fort Richardson, AK 99505Office/DSN #: (907) 428-6663 /384-4663 or 1-(888) 917-3608

168ARWNola Barnes2680 Flightline Ave. Ste. 117Eielson AFB, AK 99702-1794Office/ 907-377-8715

176 WG Gretchen Nealy5002 Raspberry RoadAnchorage, AK 99502Office/DSN (907) 249-1130 / 626-1130

AlabamaState Family Program DirectorSGM Hubert Chance 1720 Cong WL Dickerson Dr.Montgomery, AL, 36109-0711Office/DSN (334)-271-7283 / 363-7283 or 1-(800) 231-2846

117ARWPamela Lacey5401 East Lake Blvd.Birmingham, AL 35217Office/DSN 205-714-2699/ 778-2699

187FWSharon Hubbert5187 Selma Hwy.Montgomery, AL 36108-4824Office/DSN: 334-394-7119/ 358-9119

ArkansasSGT. 1ST CLASS Mary MyersCamp RobinsonNorth Little Rock, AR 72119Office/DSN: (501) 212-4102 / 962-4102 or 1-(800) 446-4645

188 FWEva R. Patton, CIV/FAMFamily Readiness SupportCoordinator188FW AIR NATIONAL GUARD4850 Leigh AvenueFort Smith, AR 72903-6096Office/DSN: 479-573-5167 / 778-5167

189AWJuanita Owens 189th AW Family Program112 CHIEF MAStER SGT. WilliamsDriveLittle Rock AFB, AR 72099-4802

Arizona State Family Program DirectorCW4 Jan Finney5636 E. McDowell Rd.Phoenix, AZ 85008-3495Office/DSN: (602) 267-2593 / 853-2593 or 1-(800) 233-7758

161 ARWGlen Klassen3200 E Old Tower Rd.

Phoenix, AZ. 85034-7263Office/DSN: 602-302-9094/853-9094162 FWJolene Helt1650 E Perimeter WayTucson, AZ Office/DSN: 520-295-6566/ 844-6566

CaliforniaState Family Program DirectorSteven ReadCAJS-FP Box 54, 9800 GoetheSacramento, CA 95827Office/DSN: (916) 854-3252 / 466-3252 or 1-(800) 449-9662

Carolann Wunderlin 129 RQWHQ 129th Rescue Wing/FamilyReadinessBuilding 680 Macon RoadCalifornia Air National GuardMoffett Federal Airfield, CA 94035

144FWBarbara Draughon5323 E. McKinley Ave.Fresno, CA 93727-2199Office/DSN 59-454-5383/ 839-5383

146 AWJo Ann Bellen 100 Mulcahey Dr.Port Hueneme, CAOffice/DSN 805-986-7468/ 893-7468

163 ARWDebbie Hambrick1620 Graeber StreetMarch ARB, CA 92518-1624Office/DSN 951-655-2165 /447-2165

ColoradoState Family Program DirectorDebbi Blackburn6848 S. Revere ParkwayCentennial, CO 80112Office/DSN (303) 677-8844 877-8844

140 WGMandy RomeroBuckley Air Force Base/140 S AspenSt Stop 37Aurora, CO Office/DSN:303-677-9116/ 877-9116

ConnecticutState Family Program DirectorKimberly HoffmanConnecticut National Guard Office of Family Programs360 Broad StreetHartford, CT 06105-3795Office/DSN: (860) 493-2745/636-0745 or 1-(800)858-2677

103 FWDonna Rivera100 Nicholson Rd.E Granby, CTOffice/DSN: 860-292-2730/ 220-2730

Washington DCState Family Program DirectorSGM Patricia Williamson2001 East Capitol St.Washington, DC 20003Office/DSN: (202) 685-9826/ 325-9826

113 FWConnie MooreFamily Readiness and SupportOffice (FRSO)Room 1063252 E. Perimeter RoadAndrews AFB, MD 20762-5411Office/DSN: 240-857-9746/None

DelewareState Family Program DirectorLTC Willie Barnes1st Regiment Rd.Wilmington, DE 19808-2191Office/DSN: (302) 326-7268 / 440-7268 or 1-(877) 482-7333

166 AWYolanda DiVirgilio2600 Spruance DriveNew Castle, DE 19720Office/DSN: 302-323-3327/445-7327

FloridaState Family Program DirectorCW4 Bobbi HallDCSPER-FR, P.O. Box 1008St. Augustine, FL 32085-1008Office/DSN: (904) 823-0360 / 860-7360 or 1-(800) 226-0360

125 FWBeth EifertFL Air National Guard 125 FW/FR14300 FANG Dr. Jacksonville, FL 32218Office/DSN: 904-741-7027/ 641-7027

GeorgiaState Family Program DirectorLTC LaNita (Rene) Kuhn935 E. Confederate AvenueS.E., Building 21Atlanta, GA 30316-0965Office/DSN: 404-624-6454/ 338-6454

116ACWEileen Byrd280 First StBldg 155, Robins AFB, GA 32218Office/DSN: 478-327-6180/ 497-6180

165 AWFrank Baker1401 Robert B. Miller Jr. Dr.Garden City, GA31408-9001Office/DSN: 912-966-8363/ 860-8363

GuamState Family Program DirectorLTC Michael Martinez622 E. Harmon Industrial Park RdFt. Juan Muna, Tamuning, GU 96911-4421Office/DSN: 671-647-2717/ 271-2722

HawaiiState Family Program DirectorLorna Souza360 Harbor DriveHickam AFB, Hawai 96853-7049Office/Cell#: 808-448-7049 or 818-341-7608

154 WGLoretta Hales 360 Harbor Dr.Hickam AFB, HI 96853-5517Office/DSN: 808-448-7282/None

IowaState Family Program DirectorsCatherine LutherCamp Dodge, 7700 NW Beaver Dr.Johnston, IA 50131-1902Office/DSN: (515) 252-4416 / 431-4416 or 1-(800) 294-6607

132 FWAmanda Wicker3100 McKinley Ave.Des Moines, IAOffice/DSN 515-256-8786256-8786

DeAnna Pennings185ARW2920 Headquarters Ave.

Sioux City, IA, 51111Office/DSN: 712-233-0817/585-0817

IdahoState Family Program DirectorBill Shouse4749 Kennedy St. Bldg 902Boise, ID 83705Phone: (208) 422-4361DSN: 422-4361

124WGJohn Spurny 3787 W. Areonca St.Boise, ID 83705Office/DSN: 208-422-5374/422-5374

IllinoisState Family Program DirectorMAJ Joe SchweickertOffice (217) 761-3622 [email protected]

126 ARWAnne Nowak126 Air Guard WayScott AFB, IL 62225Office/DSN: (618) 222-5784/760-5784

182 AWAmy K. Quimby2416 S. Falcon Blvd.Peoria, IL 61607Office/DSN: 309-633-5339/ 724-5339

183 FWPerry Jackson3101 J. David Jones Pkwy.Springfield, IL 62707-5001Office/DSN: 217-757-1569/ 892-8569

IndianaState Family Program DirectorSusan Richards 2002 S. Holt Rd. Bldg #3Indianapolis, IN 46241-4839Office/DSN: (317) 247-3192 / 369-2192

181 FWJJohnny Saylor Community manager800 S. Petercheff St.Terre Haute, IN 47803-5000Office/DSN: 812-877-5658/ 724-1658

122 FWConnie Douthat3005 Ferguson RoadFort Wayne, IN 46809-0122Office/DSN: 260-478-3409/ 786-1409

KansasState Family Program DirectorCW3 Valerie GarciaAGKS-HRO-SFPC, 2800 SWTopeka, KS 66611-1287Office/DSN: (785) 274-1171 / 720-8171 or 1-(800) 432-2447

190ARWTonya Van Sickle5920 SE Coyote Dr.Topeka, KS 66619-5370Office/DSN: 785-861-4940/ 720-4940

KentuckyMSG Thomas CombsKG-DCSPER-FP, Boone NG Center,100 Minuteman ParkwayFrankfort, KY 40601-6168Office/DSN: (502) 607-1549 / 667-1549Toll Free#: (800) 372-7601123 AWPaula McLain and Darlene Swanner1101 Grade LaneLouisvile, KY 40213Office/DSN: 502-364-9647/741-4647

184 ARWEvelyn McSwain52955 Jayhawk Dr., #28McConnell AFB, KS 67221-9000Office/DSN: 316-759-7092/ 743-7092LouisianaState Family Program DirectorCPT Susan BushJackson Barracks. Bldg 57New Orleans, LA 70146-0330Office/DSN: (504) 278-8325 / 278-8325Toll Free#: (800) 541-5860

159 FWCarrie Matirne400 Russell Ave., Box 27 NAS-JRBNew Orleans, LA 70143-0027Office/DSN #: 504-391-8505/457-8505

MassachusettsState Family Program DirectorMaureen SerrecchiaFamily Program Office, 14Minuteman LaneWellesly, MA 02481Office/DSN #: (508) 233-7222/256-7222Toll Free #: (888) 301-3103 ext 7222

102 FWErin Creighton158 Reilly Street Box 70Otis ANGB, MA 02542-5028Office/DSN #: (508) 968-4855/ 557-4855

104 FWSandra Wakefield175 Falcon Dr.Westfield, MA 01085Office/DSN #:413-568-9151EXT1183/ 698-1183

Maryland State Family Program DirectorMSG Ann Weih-Clark29th Division St. 5th RegimentArmoryBaltimore, MD 21201-2208Office/DSN #: (410) 576-6019 /NoneToll Free #: (877) 399-6221

175 WGKarol Yox2701 Eastern Blvd.Baltimore, MD 21220Office/DSN: 410-918-6768/243-6768

MaineState Family Program DirectorSGT. 1ST CLASS Barbara ClaudelDVEM, ATTN DPA-FP, State HouseStation #33Augusta, ME 04333-0033Office/DSN #: (207) 626-4410 /476-4410

101 ARWPattie Reynolds 103 Maineiac Av, Ste 505Bangor, ME 04401-3099Office/DSN #: 207-990-7494/7225/698-7494/7225

MichiganState Family Program Director MSG Janet Weber2500 S. Washington Ave.Lansing, MI 48913-5101Office/DSN #: (517) 702-5116 / 623-0116 or 1-(800) 616-0128

110 FWRobin Berry3545 Mustang Ave.Battle Creek, MI 49015-5509Office/DSN # : 269-969-3493/ 580-3493 or 1-(800)-753-6201 ext 3493

127 WGPam Harris

29423 George Ave., #101Selfridge ANG Base, MI 48045Office/DSN # (810)-307-5583/ 273-5583

CRTCJustin Dyess5884 A StreetAlpena, MI 49707-8125Office/DSN: 989-354-6220/ 741-3220

MinnesotaState Family Program DirectorMAJ Jim Swanson8180 Belden Boulevard, ATTN:MNAG-JCEFOCottage Grove, MN 55016Office/DSN #: (651) 268-8208 /825-8208 or 1-(888) 234-1274

133 AWMs Jill Lawrence133AW/GFN, Bldg 631, 631Minuteman Dr.St. Paul, MN 55111-4116Office/DSN #: 612-713-2367/783-2367

148 FWJennifer Kuhlman4680 Viper StDuluth, MN 55811-6031Office/DSN #: 218-788-7833/825-7833

MissouriState Family Program DirectorCW4 Michael McGuire2302 Militia DriveJefferson City, MO 65101Office/DSN #: (573) 638-9827 /555-9827 or 1-(800) 299-9603

131 FWKathy Fitzgerald10800 Lambert International Blvd,Stop 2St. Louis, MO 63044Office/DSN #: 314-527-6362/824-6362

139 AWJane Lackey705 Memorial DriveSt. Joseph, MO 64503-9307Office/DSN #: 816-236-3517/356-3517

MississippiState Family Program DirectorCW3 Melissa TanksleyP.O. Box 5027Jackson, MS 39296-5027Office/DSN #: (601) 313-6379 /293-6379 or 1-(866) 369-6506

172 AWMarianne Breland141 Military Dr.Jackson, MS 39232Office/DSN #: 601-405-8211/828-8211

186 ARWConnie Myers6225 M St.Meridian, MS 39307-7112Office/DSN: 601-484-9623/ 778-9623

CRTCCharles Carrigan 4715 Hewes Ave., Bldg 1Gulfport, MS 39507-4324Office/DSN #: 228-214-6018363-6018

MontanaState Family Program DirectorDorrie HaganP.O. Box 4789, 1900 N. Williams St.Helena, MT 59604-4789Office/DSN #: (406) 324-3239 /324-3239

See LIST on Page 15

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120 FWSusan Fairhurst2800 Airport Avenue BGreat Falls, MT 59404-3750Office/DSN #: 406-791-0867/ 781-0488

North CarolinaState Family Program DirectorCPT Sherrell Murray4105 Reedy Creek Rd.Raleigh, NC 27607-6410Office/DSN #: (919) 664-6324 / 582-9324 or(800) 621-4136

145 AWKathleen Flaherty5225 Morris Field Dr.Charlotte, NC 28208-5704Office/DSN #: 704-398-4949/231-4949

North DakotaState Family Program DirectorMAJ Jackie HuberP.O. Box 5511Bismark, ND 58506-5511Office/DSN #: (701) 333-2058 / 373-2058 0r1-(800) 242-4940

119FWJody Harms1400 28th AveNo. Fargo, ND 58102-1051Office/DSN #: 701-451-2112/ 362-8112

NebraskaState Family Program DirectorMAJ Drey Ihm1234 Military Rd.Lincoln, NE 68508-1097Office/DSN: (402) 309-7332 / 279-7332 or1-(800) 432-6778

155 ARWNicole A. Effle2420 W. Butler Ave.Lincoln, NE 68524-1885Office/DSN: 402-309-1588/279-1588

New HampshireState Family Program Director2LT Kenneth LeedbergState Military Reservation, 4 Pembroke Rd.Concord, NH 03301-5652Office: 603-225-1215 or DSN: 684-9215Hotline: 1-800-472-0328

157 ARWBonnie Lee Rice302 Newmarket StPease ANGB, NH 03803-0157Office/DSN: 603-430-3545/852-3545

New JerseyState Family Program DirectorCW4 Ralph CwiekaJoint Force Headquarters, 3650 Saylors PondRd.Office/DSN: (609) 562-0668 / 944-0668 or1- (888) 859-0352

108 ARWTiffany L. Colby3327 Charles Blvd.McGuire AFB, NJ 08641Office/DSN: (609)754-4479/650-4479

177 FWJoan Searfoss400 Langley Rd.Egg Harbor Twp, NJ 08234-9500Office/DSN: 609-645-6248/455-6248

New MexicoState Family Program DirectorMAJ Robert Wilson10 Bataan Blvd.Santa Fe, NM 87508-4277Office/DSN: (505) 474-1220 / 867-8220 or1- (866) 460-4100

150 FWTherese Sanchez2251 Air Guard Rd., SE (Fam Prog)Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5875

Office/DSN: 505-853-5668/263-5668

NevadaState Family Program DirectorMAJ Joanne Farris2460 Fairview LaneCarson City, NV 89701Office/DSN: (775) 887-7328 / 830-5328

152 AWLarry Miller1776 National Guard WayReno, NV 89502-4494Office/DSN: 775-788-4585/830-4585

New YorkState Family Program DirectorBeverly KeatingAttn: MNHF-FP, 330 Old Niskayuna Rd.Latham, NY 12110-2224Office/DSN: (518) 786-4525 / 489-4525

105AWOpen PositionOne Militia Way, Stewart ANG BaseNewburgh, NY 11978-1201Office/DSN: 845-563-2062/636-2062

106 RQWLisa D'Agostino150 Old Riverhead RdWesthampton Beach, NY 11978-1201Office/DSN: 631-723-7133/456-7133

107 ARWCarole Adamczyk9910 Guardian StNiagara Falls, NY 14304-6001Office/DSN: 716-236-3411/238-3411

109AWOpen PostionStratton ANGB, 1 Air National Rd.Scotia, NY 12302-9752Office/DSN: 518-344-2357/344-2357

174FWTerri ScanlinNYANG, 6001 E. Molloy Rd.Syracuse, NY 13211-7099Office/DSN: 315-454-6577/489-9577

OhioState Family Program DirectorLTC Robert Bramlish2825 W. Dublin Granville Rd.Columbus, OH 43235-2789Office/DSN: (614) 336-7352 / 273-7352or 1- (800) 589-9914

121 ARWCarolyn J. Ebert7370 Minuteman WayColumbus, OH 43217Office/DSN: 614-492-4417/696-4417

178FWJane Esprit706 Regula Ave.Springfield, OH 45502Office/DSN: 937-525-2583/346-2583

179 AWFaline Rowland1947 Harrington Memorial RoadMansfield, OH 44903-0179Office/DSN: 419-520-6600/696-6600

180 FWJudy York2660 S. Eber Rd.Swanton, OH 43558Office/DSN: 419-868-4550/580-4550

OklahomaState Family Program DirectorCPT Kenneth Iverson3501 Military CircleOklahoma City, OK 73111-4839Office/DSN: (405) 228-5591 / 628-5591137 AWJennifer Lain5624 Air Guard Dr.Oklahoma City, OK 73159Office/DSN: 405-686-5683/720-5683

138 FWConnie Hurt4200 N. 93rd E., Ave.Tulsa, OK 74115-1699Office/DSN: 918-833-7732/894-7732

OregonState Family Program DirectorDiane GoodingP.O. Box 14350, 1776 Militia WaySalem, OR 97309-5047Office/DSN: (503) 584-3543 / 355-3543or 1-(800) 452-7500

142FWMary Bell6801 Ne Cornfoot RoadPortland IAP, OR 97218-2797Office/DSN: 503-335-4193/ 638-4193

173 FWTamra Narramore211 Arnold Ave, Suite 30Klamath Falls, OR 97603Office/DSN: 541-885-6112/ 830-6112

PennsylvaniaState Family Program DirectorMAJ Joseph ConradDept of Military and Veterans Affairs, Attn:MP-FAOFort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003Office/DSN#: (717) 861-8841 / 491-8841or 1- 800-634-1790

111 FWNicholas Monatesti1151 Fairchild St.Willow Grove ARS, PA 19090-5300Office/DSN#: 215-443-1409/991-1409

171 ARWDeb Krall300 Tanker Road, #4221Coraopolis, PA 15108-4221Office/DSN#: 412-474-7365/ 277-7365

193 RDSabrina Lengner81 Constellation Ct.Middletown, PA 17057Office/DSN#: 717-948-3155/ 423-3155

Puerto RicoState Family Program DirectorSGT. 1ST CLASS Nydia GarciaP.O. Box 9023786, San Juan, PR 00902-3786E-Mail: [email protected]/DSN#: (787) 289-1516 / None

156 AW200 Jose A. Santana Ave.Carolina, PA 00979Office/Fax: 787-253-7443/ 787 253-5166

Rhode IslandState Family Program DirectorLTC Robert BehmTAGRI.DP/FC, 645 New London Ave.Cranston, RI 02920-3783Office/DSN#: (401) 275-4194 / 247-4194or 877-440-7994

143AWTina Scully1 Minuteman WayNorth Kingstown, RI 02852Office/DSN: 401-886-0148/ 476-3148

South CarolinaState Family Program DirectorSGT. 1ST CLASS Kathy MaffetTAG-FP-Stop 1, 1 National Guard Rd.Columbia, SC 29201Office 803-806-2908

169FWDoris Luellen1325 S. Carolina Rd., #28Eastover, SC 29044-5028Office/DSN: 803-647-8089/ 583-8089

South Dakota State Family Program DirectorLTC Steve Dunn2823 West Main St.Rapid City, SD 57702-8186

E-Mail: [email protected]/DSN#: (605) 737-6728 / 747-8728or 1-800-658-3930

114FWRebecca Anderson1201 W. Algonquin St.Sioux Falls, SD 57104Office/DSN#: 605-988-5962/ 798-7962

TennesseeState Family Program DirectorMAJ Ronald Strahle601 Fitzhugh Blvd.Smyrna, TN 37167E-Mail: [email protected]/DSN#: (615) 355-3996 / 683-3996or 1-877-311-3264

118AWSherri Weathers240 Knapp Blvd.Nashville, TN 37217-2538Office/DSN#: 615-399-5504/ 778-6504

134 AWStephen Latham134 Briscoe Dr.Knoxville, TN 37777-6203Office/DSN#: (865) 985-3107/ 266-3107

164 ARWBetty Gaskins2815 Democrat Rd., Bldg 402, Rm 26Memphis, TN 38118-1510901-291-7125/726-7125

TexasState Family Program DirectorLaura L. Contreras2200 Democrat Rd., Bldg 402, Rm 26Camp Mabry, TX 78703E-Mail: [email protected]/Fax: (512) 782-5771/ 782-6953

136 AWKristie Jo Buckler300 Hensley Ave., #201Fort Worth, TX 76127-1673Office/DSN#: 817-852-3558/874-3558

147 FWTerry Guidry14657 Sneider StHouston, TX 77034-5586Office/DSN#: 281-929-2056/ 454-2056

149 FWShanita Lanier107 Hensley St. Suite 1Lackland AFB, TX 78236-0103Office/DSN#: 210-977-6171/945-6171

UtahMAJ Patrick OsmondPO Box 1776Draper, UT 84020-1776E-Mail: [email protected]/DSN#: (801) 523-4533 / 766-4533Fax#: (801) 523-4685

Wing Family Coordinator Jill Lukes765 N 2200 WSalt Lake City, UT 84116-2999E-Mail: [email protected] Office/DSN#: (801) 245-2524 / 245-2524Fax#: (801) 245-2578

VirginiaState Family Program DirectorTimothy BaerAttn: VAPA-FP, Bldg 316, FT PickettBlackstone, VA 23824Office (434) 298-6336

192FWAngie Wade50 Falcon Rd., Suite 6Sandston, VA 23150-2524Office/DSN#: 804-236-7036/ 864-7036

Virgin IslandsState Family Program Director

Ms. Linda Todman4031 La Grande Princesse, Lot 1BChristianstead, VI 00820-4353E-Mail: [email protected]/DSN#: (340) 712-7787/ NoneFax#: (340) 712-7782

VermontState Family Program DirectorMrs. Lynn Bedell789 Vermont National Guard RoadColchester, VT 05446-3099Office/DSN#: (802) 338-3347 / 636-3347or 1-800-607-8773

158FWAngela Prive88 NCO Dr., Suite 114South Burlington, VT 05403Office/DSN#: 802-652-8035/ 220-8035

WashingtonState Family Program DirectorLTC Diane WilliamsBldg 97 Camp MurrayTacoma, WA 98430Office/DSN# (253) 512-7754 / 512-7881Or 1-800-364-7492

141 ARW1403 W. Wainwright Blvd.Fairchild AFB, WA 99011Office/DSN#: 509-247-7009/ 657-7009

DET-1Angela RiveraBuilding 106, 41st Division WayCamp Murray, WA 98430Office/DSN#: 253-512-3397/ 370-3397

WisconsinState Family Program Director1LT Daniel Hanson2400 Wright StreetMadison, WI 53708Office/DSN#: (608) 242-3480 / 724-3480or 1-800-292-9464

115 FWVicki Edgren2625 Hoffman St. Bldg. 307Madison, WI Office/DSN#: 608-245-4654/ 724-8654

128ARWDebbie Schultz1919 E. Grange AvenueMilwaukee, WI 53207-6199Office/DSN#: 414-944-8249/580-8249

West VirginiaState Family Program DirectorCOL Glen Diehl1701 Coonskin Dr.Charleston, WV 25311-1085Office/DSN#: (304) 561-6380 / 623-6380or 1-800-794-8273

130AWSharon Peters1679 Coonskin Dr.Charleston, WV 25311-5000Office/DSN#: 304-341-6625/ 366-6625

167AWSusan Sanders222 Sabre Jet Blvd.Martinsburg, WV 25401Office/DSN#: 304-262-5590/242-5590

WyomingState Family Program DirectorWilliam Breckenridge5500 Bishop Blvd.Cheyenne, WY 82009-3320Office/DSN#: (307) 772-5208 / 388-5208Toll Free#: 800-635-4917

153AWDenise Rampolla217 Dell Range Blvd.Cheyenne, WY 82009Office/DSN#: 307-772-6063/388-6063

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THE O N G UARD16

THE O N G UARD

Guard helps celebrate Lewis and Clark's arrival at the PacificBy Spc. Patrick LairOregon Army National Guard

WARRENTON, Ore. – In the winter of1805, Captains Meriwether Lewis andWilliam Clark led a group of weary mendown the Columbia River to their journey’sdestination: the Pacific Ocean.

According to their journals, the weatherexperienced on the Oregon coast by the menof the Corps of Discovery 200 hundred yearsago differed very little from what visitorsencountered during the commemoration atFort Stevens on Nov. 11.It rained and hailed, and then it rained some

more.More than 1,000 people attended the bicen-

tennial celebration of Lewis and Clark’s his-toric journey across the continent in searchof a river passage to the West. The partyarrived at the confluence of the ColumbiaRiver and Pacific Ocean in November 1805.It seemed fitting that Oregonians andWashingtonians celebrated the Corps ofDiscovery’s accomplishment on VeteransDay.

The ceremony, which opened a week-longcelebration, “Destination: The Pacific,” wasfilled with patriotic fervor. Many veterans ofpast wars and prior service members attend-ed. Members of Oregon and Washington’sArmy and Air National Guard were on handas were members of every active duty serv-ice.

The ceremony, sponsored by the Oregonand Washington National Guards, beganwith Oregon’s 234th Army Band andWashington’s 133rd Army Band performingan array of military classics. Keynote speak-ers at the event included Oregon Gov. TedKulongoski, a former Marine; WashingtonGov. Christine Gregoire; Maj. Gen.Raymond Rees, the Oregon NationalGuard’s adjutant general; and Maj. Gen.Timothy Lowenberg, adjutant general forWashington.

Members from Native American tribesaround the country also participated in theFriday commemoration. Tribal membersfrom as far away as Iowa, Nebraska andOklahoma carried flags in honor of their vet-

erans or Soldiers currently serving overseas.Dick Basch, a direct descendent of Chief

Cobboway, upon whose ancient village sitethe ceremony took place, gave a tribal bless-ing.

“It was on these grounds that our peoplemet Lewis and Clark, and it was a friendlymeeting,” Basch said, adding he was happyto be among so many veterans.

Kulongoski then took the microphone andthanked the tribes for their participation.“We’re very honored to be part of this cele-bration with you,” he said.

The governor called the commemorationone of the greatest moments in Oregon’s cul-tural history.

“If ever there was a day to celebratecourage and the human spirit, this is it,”Oregon’s governor announced to the crowd’sapplause. Though battered by freezing rain,onlookers continued to cheer the speakers’references to veterans and the Corps ofDiscovery.

“The values that inspired Lewis and Clarkinspired all American veterans,” Kulongoskicontinued. “Those values are love of country,commitment to duty, courage to walk in thevalley of the shadow of death, and willing-ness to sacrifice.”

The governor added that he sees the samevalues in the Soldiers serving overseas todayas in the generation that fought during WorldWar II. The only difference, he noted, is thatthe public today does not carry as much ofthe burden as the troops.

The adjutants general from Oregon andWashington thanked the Native Americansfor participating and praised the service ofAmerica’s veterans.

“The Corps of Discovery was a militaryexpedition. It was of great consequence tothis country, and we thank all veterans of allbackgrounds,” Rees said.

Continuing with the theme of America’smilitary being comprised of people from dif-ferent ethnic backgrounds, Lowenbergremarked, “This exemplifies our nation’smotto: E Pluribus Unum. From many: One.And we’re still an army of one,” he added.Alarge number of Lewis and Clark re-enac-

tors also attended. Some of the actors werefrom as far away as Virginia and played theroles of members of the Corps of Discoverythat President Thomas Jefferson originallydispatched westward from St. Louis in 2004.Some of the actors had followed the corps’sexact route up the Missouri River from St.Louis, through Kansas, Nebraska, theDakotas and Montana, over the mountainsinto Idaho and down the Snake andColumbia Rivers to be at the Veterans Dayevent.

Warren Keller of Lebanon, Ill., spent thelast two years tracing the route with theDiscovery Expedition of St. Charles, dressedas John Shields, the group’s blacksmith.

“At 35 years of age, Shields was the oldestmember of the group,” Keller said. “At 77,I’m also the oldest member of our group.”

Other groups brought ponderosa pinecanoes, hollowed from trees 30-feet long and5-feet wide. The group paddled them alongthe Columbia River the same way the corpsdid. The only difference, according to onemember of the canoe-building BitterrootCorps, is that the original explorers traversedthe major rapids of the Columbia in theircanoes. Today, the rapids have been replaced

by hydroelectric dams.Representatives from the Clatsop-Nehalem

tribe of the Oregon coast brought hand-carved redwood canoe paddles which theyused to paddle a handmade canoe out into thePacific to commemorate an ancient tradition.

The ceremony concluded with a joint forceflyover consisting of two Oregon AirNational Guard F-15 Eagles from the 123rdFighter Squadron, two Oregon ArmyNational Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicop-ters from the 1042nd Medical Companyfrom Salem, Ore., and a Coast Guard UH-60Jayhawk helicopter from U.S. Coast GuardAir Station Astoria.

Even though the storm increased instrength, casting a barrage of hail and rain onthe audience, the crowd cheered as the air-craft cut a path across the cloudy sky.

Finally, the Oregon Army Guard’s 2ndBattery, 218th Field Artillery Battalion fromPortland fired 10 rounds from the rampartsof historic Fort Stevens as part of a 21-gunsalute. The Washington Army Guard’s 2ndBattery, 146th Field Artillery Battalion, fromOlympia answered with 10 shots from theirside of the Columbia. Re-enactors from theFriends of Fort Stevens fired the final roundwith a black powder cannon, bringing thecommemoration to a close.Unlike the Corps of Discovery, which spent

a long winter fighting the rain and windalong the Pacific coast, the visitors at FortStevens hurried off to heated buses and auto-mobiles after the two-hour ceremony, thoughprobably with a little more respect for thosewho came before them.

Photos by Staff Sgt. Russell Bassett

Charles Tailfeathers, a member of the Warm Springs Tribe of Oregon, hands his staff to Washington Army NationalGuard Maj. Phil Osterli during the "Destination: The Pacific" opening ceremony at Fort Stevens in Oregon on Nov. 11.The Oregon and Washington National Guards sponsored the event.

Re-enactors from many states cometogether for the ceremony.

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Volume 34, Issue 10 December 2005 Page Homecoming

Documents

Transcript of Volume 34, Issue 10 December 2005 Page Homecoming