North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

Story by bill prokopyk

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven has signed a proclamation declaring Oct. 26 the Day of the Deployed in North Dakota. A ceremony honoring deployed military members from all branches of service and their families was held today at the North Dakota State Capitol.

The ceremony was arranged by Soldiers' Angels, a non-profit organization and featured representatives from the National Guard, Reserves and active duty Air Force as well as military family members. Hoeven gave the main address to the dozens of attendees which also included about 100 school children from Bismarck Centennial Elementary School.

"We have service members deployed today, and other service members ready to deploy anywhere and anytime their state and nation call," said Hoeven. "That level of commitment and selflessness also extends to their families, as they, too, serve and sacrifice in the name of freedom and democracy. That is why today and every day, North Dakotans are encouraged to reaffirm their patriotism and to honor the brave men and women in uniform and their families who put their lives on hold to protect and preserve our way of life."

Speaking on behalf of North Dakota's adjutant general, Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, was Col. Dale Adams who said, "We acknowledge the daily sacrifices of not only the deployed men and women of all branches of our military services, but their families as well. The sons and daughters of North Dakota are proudly serving all across the world."

Other speakers included Shelle Michaels, Soldiers' Angels; Col. Michael Aberle, N.D. National
Guard representing the Families of deployed service members; Staff Sgt. Keith Ballard, Minot Air Force Base, representing the active duty Air Forces stationed in North Dakota, Steve Mormann, representing the active duty Army. Mormann's son Sgt. Cody Mormann was wounded in Afghanistan last July. Closing the ceremony was Sydney Murphy, whose father, Capt. Dan Murphy, is deployed to Kosovo.

Businesses across the state are encouraged to display the proclamation honoring North Dakota's deployed service members and their families. Other ways for individuals in local communities to honor a deployed service member are; assisting with daily chores, shoveling snow, raking leaves, watching their children, or adopt a hero at Soldier' Angels among many other ways to say "thank you!"

The history of Day of the Deployed stems from the 2006 deployment of Army Lt. Col. David Hosna, a Bottineau, N.D., native. In honor of his birthday, Hosna's cousin Shelle Michaels, Soldiers' Angels National Communication officer based in Grand Forks, N.D., wanted to assure his name was forever etched in the history of their home state. Hosna said, "As anyone that has deployed can attest, it's the support and communications from family, friends and the support from the American people through organizations like Soldiers Angels that helps both the service members and their families through deployments."

Soldiers' Angels is a volunteer-led nonprofit, with over 20 different teams and programs supporting all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Volunteers send letters, care packages, and comfort items to the deployed, and support their families here at home. Soldiers' Angels also provide assistance to the wounded, continuing support for veterans, remembrances and comfort for families of the fallen and immediate response to unique situation.

The 4th Annual Day of the Deployed is celebrated Oct. 26, by Soldiers' Angels and many elected officials and Veteran service organizations across the nation declaring the day of honor with a proclamation similar to the one signed by Hoeven.

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