NCNGA Weekly Guardsman for December 29, 2022

Posted on: December 28, 2022 December 28, 2022
Author: ncngaweekly

December 29th, 2022

News | About | Legislative | Benefits | Contact

Search Past Issues

View Web Version

Gold Sponsors

IN THIS EDITION:

Helping a Hero, building a free home for a NCNG Disabled Veteran NCNGA
Guard Continues Domestic, Global Missions in a Busy 2022 ANG
NC Air Guard Retiree’s Breakfast NCNGA
Save the Date: Tarheel Minuteman Foundation Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament! NCNGA
Known Mil-Vet December Events across the Carolinas NCNGA
Soldier recognized by Coast Guard for life-saving actions NCNGA
Scholarship Applications Available! NCNGA
Registration Now Available for NCNGA Convention and NCNG Military Ball NCNGA
690th NCARNG Reunion NCNGA
Tickets-At-Work: Members get Discounts on Tickets NCNGA
This Week in NCNG History NCNG Museum
December 29th — Today in Guard History National Guard

Helping a Hero, building a free home for a NCNG Disabled Veteran NCNGA

Do you know a veteran that would benefit from a free specially adapted home? Helping Hero is going to two homes to a deserving North Carolina National Guard Veteran. However, they can’t do it alone they need you to nominate someone. Learn more at https://helpingahero.org/

Use the attached nomination form and mail to info@ncnga.org with Helping a Hero Nomination in the Subject Line. Nominations are due March 1, 2023. If you have questions please contact Larry at 984-664-0308. DO NOT use the online nomination form.

Guard Continues Domestic, Global Missions in a Busy 2022 ANG

The National Guard’s footprint on domestic and international events continued in 2022, highlighting its transformation from a Cold War strategic reserve to the combat reserve of the Army and the Air Force.

“People don’t realize just how large the National Guard is,” said Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau. “We have 445,000 Soldiers and Airmen, and because we are manned, trained and equipped to fight our nation’s wars, we can do about anything we’ve been asked to do.”

In 2022, the National Guard responded to emergencies and large-scale disasters, participated in various training exercises, built lasting partnerships, and tirelessly supported a nation in need.

Within 30 minutes of the start of Russia’s unjust invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, Army Maj. Gen. David Baldwin, then adjutant general of California, received a call from senior Ukrainian leaders.

“The first calls were, ‘Hey, we’re under attack,’ and then the calls throughout that night were, ‘Here’s the help that we desperately need,’” Baldwin recalled.

Not long after that first call, the California Guard activated its Joint Operations Center to help facilitate requests and requirements from the Ukrainians.

It was an effort, Baldwin added, to break down bureaucracy and streamline processes to get the Ukrainians what they needed.

“Within 24 hours, we had a pretty comprehensive list of all of their requirements for military equipment – both lethal and non-lethal,” Baldwin said.

The timely communication between the California Guard and Ukraine resulted from nearly 30 years of mutually beneficial cooperation made possible by the Defense Department’s State Partnership Program. SPP pairs Guard organizations with a partner nation’s military, security forces and disaster response agencies in more than 45% of the world’s countries.

NC Air Guard Retiree’s Breakfast NCNGA

The NC Air National Guard, 145th Airlift Wing has scheduled our annual Retiree’s Breakfast this year for Friday, February 3rd, 2023! We’re going to be reaching out to the Retiree Emails we have on file, so please network with your fellow retiree’s to make sure they get the word and to ensure widest possible dissemination. We want to get the word out to as many of our retired members as possible. If anyone wants to sign up on our email list, just have them send me and email at the address below. The Chief’s Council, sponsors of the event, look forward to seeing you in February. It’s not necessary to respond to this email, or to RSVP, we’ll keep you updated and I’ll send out additional emails between now and the event. We look forward to seeing everyone, again Merry Christmas & Happy New Year !!

Terry Henderson
Airmen & Family Readiness Program Manager
N.C. Air National Guard, 145th Airlift Wing
4930 Minuteman Way, Charlotte, NC 28208
Off (704) 398-4949 Cell (980) 721-4019
Email: terry.henderson.3@us.af.mil

Save the Date: Tarheel Minuteman Foundation Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament! NCNGA

The Tarheel Minuteman Foundation, with the help of Carolina Trace Country Club will be holding a Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament on April 24, 2023!

Known Mil-Vet December Events across the Carolinas Veterans Bridge Home

For many- the holidays are tough. Please take the time to be good battle buddies for your fellow military members and vets – reach out, check-in, text, call, facetime – whatever works to ensure that your buddies are ok. If you need help connecting, attend one of the many coffees, meals, volunteer opportunities across the region.

If you need help in knowing what to say, please join our Battle Buddies Program. Show your commitment to Growing as an Expert Companion to Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF) through Enrollment in the Governor’s Challenge Training Program (Free Training to the first 1500 Enrollees)! Register Here.

For those in career transition, take a look at the following articles:

Most events below are hyperlinked – just click to access.

Event abbreviations: PAT-Patriotic; FUND-Fundraiser; SUP-Support; JOB-Career; FIT-Fitness; NET-Networking, VOL-Volunteer opportunity, BIZ-Business, EDU-Education/Training

Known events:

December 2022

Dec 24 VOL Panthers in the Park, Charlotte
Dec 28 FIT Veterans Work Out, Charlotte

January 2023 Events

Jan 3 VOL Wreaths Across America Clean-Up, Charlotte
Jan 4 NET Ballantyne Veterans Breakfast, Charlotte
Jan 9-13 EDU Patriots Path Workshop, Virtual
Jan 11 EDU USDOL Off-Base Transition Training, Gastonia
Jan 11 EDU SUP Mental Health First Aid Training
Jan 11 NET Monthly Veterans Lunch, Charlotte
Jan 18 EDU USDOL Off-Base Transition Training, Charlotte
Jan 19 NET Veterans Coffee, Charlotte
Jan 19 JOB Corporate Grey Military-Friendly Virtual Job Fair
Jan 19 NET Cisco VETS Networking Event
Jan 19 JOB Recruit Military Raleigh Veterans Job Fair
Jan 19 NET Fort Mill Veterans Lunch
Jan 23-27 EDU Patriots Path Workshop, Fayetteville
Jan 25 EDU USDOL Off-Base Transition Training, Monroe
Jan 25 EDU SUP Mental Health First Aid Training
Jan 30 NET Raleigh Vet Connect, Cary

Soldier recognized by Coast Guard for life-saving actions NCNGA

Fort Bragg, N.C. — U.S. Army Maj. Kenneth Leahy, a North Carolina National Guard dental officer, was awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal during an award ceremony at the NCNG Medical Readiness Detachment on Dec. 3, 2022.

Leahy was recognized before his peers, family and senior leaders for his heroism after rescuing a distressed 10-year old child from drowning caught in turbulent water over 200 yards away from shore.

“I was in the right place at the right time,” said Leahy. “I thank God that I didn’t hesitate, and having my kids see me do a selfless act is its own reward. This isn’t the first time I have done it, and I will continue to do it. I can’t run, but I can swim!”

On July 4, 2022, Leahy and his family were swimming at North Topsail Beach when other beach patrons and the child’s family started shouting “She can’t swim. She can’t swim.” Leahy immediately swam to her aid and evaluated her medical condition while in the water. Leahy constantly re-evaluated her condition, while simultaneously swimming toward shore. During their egress, they were met with turbulent waves, one holding them under water for over eight seconds. After the wave passed, he safely got the child back to shore and continued rendering aid until emergency medical services arrived.

“I swam out and caught up to her,” said Leahy. “I rolled her onto her back. She was unresponsive.”

Leahy said he made sure she regained consciousness before starting back to shore.