NDARNG: Donations, Proclamation, Events to Honor Military Families

BISMARCK, N.D. - A bevy of events to honor North Dakota military families
will coalesce later this week during an event at the Great Hall in the
Capitol. The North Dakota National Guard will host the event, which brings
together the Governor's office, North Dakota Family Alliance, the North
Dakota National Guard's Family Program Office, TriWest Healthcare Alliance
and other organizations that support the North Dakota National Guard.

The event begins at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14 with First Lady Mikey Hoeven
reading the proclamation signed by her husband, Gov. John Hoeven. The
document recognizes Nov. 16-22 as Family Week, announcing that "it is
important to recognize the service and sacrifice of military families in our
state who have borne the hardships of war with courage and devotion."

North Dakota Family Alliance has chosen to focus on military families during
its annual Family Week, which strives to promote families spending time
together. They encourage families to plan events so that they may spend time
together and strengthen the family.

Families are an important foundation to the Guard, which makes every effort
to support its families whether or not their service member has deployed. Rob
Keller, Family Program Office director, will speak on the office's numerous
statewide efforts during the Nov. 14 presentation.

The event also will note November as Wounded Warrior Care Month, a time to
increase awareness of the benefits and services available to injured service
members.

Friday's event culminates with a major donation from TriWest Healthcare
Alliance to the Family Assistance Emergency Relief Fund. Don Brown and Don
Jenn will present a check for $15,000 from TriWest. The Emergency Relief Fund
supports the needs of the 4,300 North Dakota National Guard service members
and their families by providing financial support in sudden and unforeseen
emergency situations, such as natural disasters, accident, illness, fire or
theft.

WHAT: Press conference to announce Family Week and honor military families
WHO: First Lady Mikey Hoeven, Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, TriWest
Healthcare Alliance, North Dakota Family Alliance, North Dakota National
Guard Family Program Office, and many other organizations
WHEN: 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14
WHERE: Great Hall of the Capitol building, Bismarck
--
Since the terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard has
mobilized more than 2,700 Soldiers and more than 1,600 Airmen in support of
the Global War on Terrorism. Currently, more than 200 Soldiers and Airmen
from the North Dakota National Guard remain on duty in Iraq, Afghanistan and
other locations throughout Southwest Asia. More than 3,000 National Guardsmen
remain in North Dakota and are available to provide support for state and
national emergencies and homeland defense.