May 2nd, 2019

 

  Home | About | Legislative | Benefits | Media | Contact

Search Past Issues

View Web Version

---

 IN THIS EDITION:

NCNG Survivor’s Outreach Fund Conducts Annual Survivors’ Outreach Event NCNGSOF 
Purple Up! For Military Kids: What it means to be a Military Kid in NC NCNGA 
Career Support: North Carolina National Guard and Patriots Path NCNGA
449th TAB 2018 OUTSTANDING Unit of the Year DVIDS 
Join NGAUS and EANGUS! Your membership in our national level partner association is critical.
1st Annual American Legion Post 116 “Vets Helping Vets” Charity Golf Tournament, supporting Fisher House Foundation NCNGA
Announcing Registration for the 4th Annual Sustainment Ball on the 5th of October in Greensboro NCNGA
The Minuteman Muster 5K & 8K NCNGA 
Hindsight is 20/20 Career Pathways Institute 
Guitar for Vets Graduating its First Class NCNGA 
Local author offers a vivid, first-hand account of ‘A Life of a Soldier’ Citizen Times 
Get 20% off a Treetop Adventure GoApe, courtesy of the NCNG! NCNG 
May 2nd — Today in Guard History National Guard 

---

NCNG Survivor’s Outreach Fund Conducts Annual Survivors’ Outreach Event NCNGSOF 

On May 17-19, 2019 the NCNGSOF will host approximately 30 surviving families of North Carolina Army and Air Guardsmen who lost their lives while members of the NCNG for a special weekend. This annual event provides an important mechanism for families to connect, share, and heal due to the shared experience of losing a loved one during their time of service to this great state and nation. This year’s event will be held at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Raleigh and will consist of sensing sessions, a discussion panel, and a buffet dinner with guest speaker First Lieutenant Patrick C. “Clebe” McClary III, USMC (Retired). On Sunday, the signature Memorial Service will be conducted where the service member’s sacrifice will be recognized and honored. If you would like to participate or donate to make this an extra special event, visit the website at www.NCNGSOF.org and click select ‘Donate’ or ‘Get Involved’. NCNGSOF, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission to provide support, information and services to North Carolina National Guard Survivor family members.

 

 

 

Purple Up! For Military Kids: What it means to be a Military Kid in NC NCNGA 

Purple Up! for military kids. On the 30th of April from 10-11 A.M. at the NC Museum of History the NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will host What it means to be a Military Child in the state of NC. See the flyer for full details.

 

 

Career Support: North Carolina National Guard and Patriots Path NCNGA 

Are you or your spouse in transition from the military, seeking meaningful employment or thinking about a new career? The North Carolina National Guard Association (NCNGA) can help. In an effort to improve career opportunities for its members, the NCNGA is looking for 8-10 Soldiers, Airmen, or Spouses to participate in a five part career support course conducted by Patriots Path. In this course you will define new career goals, map out job search strategies, identify opportunities, create personal marketing approaches and connect within the community to peers, mentors and coaches for continued networking and support. Each of the five in-classroom, interactive workshops are held in corporate boardrooms or training facilities offering students added connectivity to employers who are committed to supporting the Guard. In addition to the five group classes, student also participate in one-on-one breakout sessions with assigned mentors and coaches to cover more personalized resume writing, mock-interviews and job shadowing.

If you are interested in participating in this program please contact Larry Coleman at larry@ncnga.org or 984-664-0308. Possible Course Locations included the Triangle and Triad area and there is no cost to association members and spouses for this course.

449th TAB 2018 OUTSTANDING Unit of the Year DVIDS 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The ballroom erupted with applause as the 449th Theater Aviation Brigade was presented with the 2018 Outstanding Unit of the Year Award during the annual Army Aviation Association of America (Quad A) conference at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee on April 15, 2019.

This award was established in 1959 and is awarded to a unit regardless of component or size.

The 449th TAB is recognized for the execution of aeromedical evacuations, attack helicopter operations, security, air movement, air assault, and reconnaissance support to coalition forces throughout Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Jordan, and Turkey supporting Operations Inherent Resolve and Spartan Shield.

“Thank you to Quad A and the Soldiers and family members of the 449th Theater Aviation Brigade,” said Col. Joseph Bishop, the 449th TAB commander. “We are proud and humbled to accept this award on behalf of the 2,000 plus soldiers and their families that make up Task Force Hurricane. This is a huge honor and it is amazing to bring this home to North Carolina.”

The 449th TAB assembled North Carolina Soldiers plus Soldiers from 13 U.S. states mobilizing from Fort Hood, TX as a Combat Aviation Brigade, which was the largest National Guard aviation task force in the last decade.

Read More…

1st Annual American Legion Post 116 “Vets Helping Vets” Charity Golf Tournament, supporting Fisher House Foundation NCNGA 

Join us as we raise funds to help support the FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION to take care of our service members and their families. Our 1 st annual charity golf tournament will be held on MAY 24 th , 2019 (Friday). The 18-hole tournament will take place at EAGLE RIDGE GOLF CLUB. We will have some great prizes on the course for you to win. Come join us for a day of golf to remember with your friends and show your support for our military heroes! This tournament is sure to be a sell-out, so don’t forget to sign your team up early!

 

 

 

 

The Minuteman Muster 5K & 8K NCNGA 

The Minuteman Muster 5K & 8K is part of an open house event at the NC National Guard Military Center (near the NC Fairgrounds). The event includes USATF Certified 5K & 8K Races, a National Guard & Emergency Services open house, and fun activities for everyone. Presented by Celito.net. Take the Challenge and run BOTH the 5K & 8K races. This year teams of 4 high school runners can compete in the 5K for FREE!

Runners and spectators will enjoy an open house featuring military, emergency management, and law enforcement equipment displays, a rock climbing wall, and other fun activities.

Enjoy the premium race experience provided by Precision Race with state of the art Jaguar timing, real-time race results, and automated finish line photography. The Minuteman Muster 5K & 8K races are part of the Triangle Race Series.

This year the registration price is lower than ever, but the race shirt is available as a $15 option. It will be the same design and type running shirt, but a different color.

Register Here…

Hindsight is 20/20 Career Pathways Institute 

Hindsight is 20/20. North Carolina National Guard members are eligible for up to $2000 per year for tuition assistance (TA) funding in career and professional development courses. Use yours now for a successful 2020. Choose your course at http://bit.ly/NCNG2019Catalog.

This month’s featured course is Medical Assistant Career Prep. Medical Assisting is one of the fastest growing careers in the health care industry today. In this course you will learn medical terminology, patient confidentiality, scheduling, customer service, basic patient documentation, and basic billing as well as other administrative duties required by front office personnel.

Guitar for Vets Graduating its First Class NCNGAG4VPressRelease  

The local chapter of Guitars for Vets will graduate its first class at the Durham VA on the 26th of April. Upon graduation each student will receive their own guitar and continue to practice on a monthly basis at the Durham VFW Post. Guitars for Vets is a national non-profit designed to assist deserving Veterans with overcoming their illnesses through creative music. To learn more about this program, how you can participate or become involved you can visit their website, read the attached press release or contact the local chapter point of contact, Dave Crout at nc.durham@guitarsforvets.org.

 

Local author offers a vivid, first-hand account of ‘A Life of a Soldier’ Citizen Times 

Justin Shelton views his mission as a sergeant in the U.S. Army as extending beyond his post with the North Carolina National Guard. A native of the Spillcorn community, Shelton has used his skill with the written word to share with civilians what the life of a soldier is like.

Shelton is not afraid to take on serious themes in his two published works, including depression and suicide. He hopes his writings will help soldiers – and civilians – facing crisis. He also hopes sharing his own stories will offer insights on the challenges that come following the trauma of a war zone.

“I couldn’t walk up to a stranger and tell them all of this,” he said while discussing his books during an interview. “So I figured, ‘Put it in a book, send it down the road and hopefully, a lot of people will learn about it.’”

His first book, a collection of poetry titled “In a Soldier’s Mind,” focuses on the everyday struggles of a broken heart and the emotions alive when missing a loved one. His second, the novel “A Life of a Soldier,” imagines what life could be like for a veteran returning home from combat in North Korea.

Read More…

Get 20% off a Treetop Adventure GoApe, courtesy of the NCNG! NCNG 

TREETOP ADVENTURE – Way more than just zip lines, Go Ape Treetop Adventure is a 2-3 hour exhilarating journey through the forest canopy. Experience unique suspended obstacles, Tarzan swings and breathtaking zip lines that will keep you flying through the trees – all with an incredible view. Supervision and other restrictions apply.

TREETOP JUNIOR (SELECT LOCATIONS) – Perfect for new adventurers of all ages, Go Ape Treetop Junior offers a 1-hour exhilarating outdoor adventure experience. Tackle elevated multi-action obstacles in the trees and close it out with an epic zip line. Supervision and other restrictions apply. Check out our website for locations with Treetop Juniors. LEARN MORE AT GOAPE.COM

Visit GOAPE.COM for the most up-to-date information on locations, pricing, height, weight, age and supervision requirements.

Read More…

May 2nd — Today in Guard History National Guard 

1992 Cobourg, Canada – Francis Patrick Duffy, better know to history as “Father Duffy” was born. After studying for the priesthood he was ordained in the New York Archdiocese in 1897. In 1898, while continuing his studies at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., the United States entered the war against Spain over Cuban independence. Duffy requested and was granted permission to become an Army chaplain. He saw no overseas service, instead he worked long hours at an Army hospital in Montauk Point, Long Island, NY treating men returned home with typhoid fever (which is highly contagious). Despite falling ill himself, he continued to minister to the sick until the hospital closed. After spending a number of years training more than 500 new priests, in 1912 Duffy was told to establish a new parish in the Bronx. At about this time he was recommended to become the chaplain for the 69th New York Infantry, which gained great fame as part of the “Irish Brigade” during the Civil War. He joined the unit and soon won the hearts of many of his flock. Mobilized with the regiment in 1916 for service on the Mexican border, he met a bright young captain of the 1st New York Cavalry, William “Wild Bill” Donovan. They became close friends and when America entered World War I in 1917, the chaplain help secure Donovan command of the 1st Battalion, 69th NY Infantry (soon to be re designated as the 165th Infantry, an element of the newly organized 42nd “Rainbow” Division). Both men served with the 165th in France, where Donovan earned a Distinguished Service Cross (the Army’s second highest award for valor) and the Medal of Honor (see January 1st for Donovan biography). Captain Duffy too earned awards including both a Distinguished Service Cross for tending wounded and dying men during the Battle of Villers-sur-Fere; and the Distinguished Service Medal (for non-combat achievement) for being in the front lines encouraging the troops and raising their spirits. Perhaps most importantly, he earned the love and respect of his men for his devotion to their spiritual and emotional well-being. As the senior chaplain of the 42nd Division, he often ministered to Catholics in regiments other than the 165th, so that by war’s end he was probably the most popular man in the division. He was among the command group leading the 165th victory parade up Fifth Avenue when the regiment returned home in 1919. After the war while maintaining an active parish in mid-Manhattan’s “Hell’s Kitchen” he raised money for his parish by speaking about his wartime experiences. He died in 1932 and was given a military requiem mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. A grateful city erected a statue to him, depicted wearing his World War I trench coat, in Times Square, the only monument to a Catholic priest in all of NYC. In 1940 a full-length motion picture titled The Fighting 69th starring Pat O’Brian playing Father Duffy brought his story to the entire nation just on the eve of America’s entry into World War II.

Read More…