Service Member & Family Support Information

ND National Guard News
Please visit www.ndguard.com for current press releases and news.
North Dakota Military Police Arrive in Haiti
Guard Soldiers Honored for Service in Afghanistan
81st Civil Support Team Conducts Exercise at Minot Air Force Base
ND Guard to Assist in Haiti Recovery Operations
 
First Lady Announces Study of Military Families
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/05/military_obama_families_051210w/
 
North Dakota Soldiers Return to Family Changes
Bismarck Tribune, Friday, May 14th
http://www.bismarcktribune.com/news/local/article_45a38cca-5f7f-11df-835b-001cc4c03286.html
 
Sacrifice for Freedom Event: Wed., May 26 4pm Heritage Center Bismarck
Join us in recognizing the Service Members from North Dakota who have been killed in action in the Global War on Terrorism and hold tribute to all members of the U.S. military who have dedicated and sacrificed their lives for the nation. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 26th 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. at the North Dakota ND Heritage Center, 612 E Boulevard Ave. Please contact Jessica Clark-Woinarowicz 701.333.4822 for more information. Please note date/time/location change.
 
North Dakota Patriot Guard Memorial Day Event Fraine Barracks
The North Dakota Patriot Guard will hold an event at the Memorial for the Fallen on the Global War on Terror, at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, ND on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 2010 at 2:30pm. A NDANG Chaplain will open with prayer followed by a brief presentation by the North Dakota Patriot Guard. After the presentation two wreaths, each with 21 narrow ribbons, one for each of the North Dakota Fallen, will be unveiled at the Fallen Soldier Memorial. There will be no closing prayer allowing time for families of the fallen and others to reflect on the sacrifice of the 21 Servicemembers listed on the memorial.
 
Fraine Barracks Road between Main Street and River Road will be closed to thru traffic at 1300 hours (2:00pm).  Those attending the event can enter the closed area to park and those needing to access Fraine Barracks will be allowed through.
 
 
ADA Road March:  June 6 Bismarck

Family members will host a 'Memorial March' on June 6 in remembrance of all North Dakota Service members killed in action in the Global War on Terrorism.  Participants can meet at Bank of North Dakota 1200 Memorial Highway Bismarck ND at 9:00 where they will walk over to the GWOT Memorial, Fraine Barracks and formally start the march at 9:38 a.m., the exact time that Sgt Travis Van Zoest and Spc. Curtis Mehrer, members of the 1-188 ADA-SECFOR were killed in action. The public is invited to participate in honoring all North Dakota's fallen heroes by marching or walking or as spectators along the route. There will be a stop at the Mandan McDonalds and finish at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. For more information, contact Joyce Mehrer at 701-426-8899.
 
 
 
Volunteers Needed! Boy Scouts Jamboree: June 4-6, Bismarck
The Boy Scouts of America is celebrating their 100 year anniversary June 4-6 at the ND Capitol. Volunteers are needed to help support 3,000 Boyscouts by grilling, helping and serving breakfast and lunch. Please contact Tonya Butts or Melanie Moen at 701.223.6700.
 
 
Freedom Isn't Free Weekend: June 18-19 Devils Lake, ND
Please feel free to attend this weekend to show support for our Military Heroes and their families. You don't need a bike to attend these events. You can come out and show your support while sending the riders off in style!!  We are also looking for volunteers to help and donations for the Silent Auction. If you are able to do either, please contact Jeanie at 701-350-1690. 
 
 
Run 4 KFOR: June 26 Minot
The Minot KFOR Family Readiness Group wanted to find a way that KFOR Soldiers in Kosovo and those family members and friends state side could join together for a little Morale and Welfare event.  What better way than to host a "Run 4 KFOR".  Co-leader Jeff Barta got in contact with Kosovo and together both groups planned a MWR event for the same weekend.  What a terrific idea for family and soldiers to be able to connect across the miles.  Proceeds from the Minot event will help offset KFOR FRG homecoming events once soldiers return home sometime August 2010.  The Minot KFOR FRG group 5K Walk-Run is scheduled in Minot on June 26, 2010 in Oak Park.  Please contact Jeff Barta at 701-838-5545 for more information.
 
 
Military OneSource new audio CD
Military OneSource is announcing the release of their new audio CD: Over There: Stories and insights from mothers who have deployed. In this 60-minute recording, Dr. Heidi Squier Kraft, a former Navy psychologist whose twins were babies when she served in Iraq, discusses the unique challenges that mothers face when they deploy. She is joined by women from across the service branches who talk candidly about their own experiences with deployment, from saying goodbye, to staying in touch while remaining focused on their mission, to returning home to be "mom" again. Over There can be ordered through CMS and online through www.MilitaryOneSource.com/OverThere 
 
 
Happy Hooligan attending the Classic Teen Leadership Summit
Danielle Anderson, 16, from West Fargo will be attending the Classic Teen Leadership Summit in Dahlonega, GA from June 13-18. Danielle is the daughter of Darrin and Barb Anderson who are both members of the 119th Wing, Fargo, ND.
Danielle will be participating with other youth from around the states in an exciting leadership program which will combine high adventure activities with hands on techniques to give the participants the skills to maximize the leader in all of them.
 
 
Two New Family Readiness Support Assistants to the SMFS Division
Please help me welcome two new Family Readiness Support Assistant (FRSA) staff members who will be working hand-in-hand with the two MACOMS in the ND Army National Guard: 141 MEB and 68th Troop Command. Each FRSA will have an office in the respective MACOMs. 
 
68th Troop Command:
Lane Scanson recently retired from 20 years of AD Army service.  He has served as a Battalion Master Gunner responsible for the training development and qualifications of 44 Abrams M1A1 tank crews and over 700 Soldiers.  He also served as Senior Operations NCO for the 1-13th AR BN Tactical Operations Center during OIF II. His most recent assignment before retiring was instructing Army ROTC at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.  He is a Bismarck Century native.  Mr. Scanson's office will be located at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory
 
141 MEB: 
Aaron Wolf also served in the AD Army as a Russian linguist. He has extensive experience in the S3 shop and was responsible for arranging weapons training and ammunition supply management.  He is a Texas native and married to a NDNG Soldier.  Mr. Wolf's office will be located at the 141 MEB in Fargo. 
The Family Readiness Support Assistants (FRSAs) are a vital link between the unit Commander, the Families assigned to the unit, and the community resources available to the Soldiers and their Families. The significance of a properly operated FRG is that it allows deployed Soldiers to remain mission focused while their Families' well-being is sustained. 

Free Summer Museum Admission with Military ID
Plains Art Museum will offer free admission to current military members and their families between May 31st and Sept 6 as part of the National Endowment for the Arts' Blue Star Museum Program. Active military members presenting a valid military ID receive free admission for themselves and up to five guests. Plains Art Museum is located at 704 First Avenue North, Fargo. More information is available at 701.232.3821 or at www.plainsart.org.