Military families honored during Guard Symposium

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Brett Miller | At left, Connie Sprynczynatyk, civilian aide to the secretary of the Army, and her husband, Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, right, join the North Dakota Army National Guard's 2013 Family of the Year, which includes Staff Sgt. Neil Horner, his wife, Chelsey, and one-year-old daughter Nevaeh (not pictured), March 9 at the North Dakota National Guard Volunteer Symposium in Fargo, N.D. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Brett Miller, Joint Force Headquarters)  

FARGO, ND, UNITED STATES

03.09.2014

Courtesy Story

North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

FARGO, N.D. - For their generosity, support and devotion to fellow guardsmen, two families were recognized during the North Dakota National Guard's Volunteer Symposium March 9 at the Ramada Plaza and Suites in Fargo. Both the North Dakota Army and Air National Guard honored their 2013 Family of the Year.

"We all know that when our guardsmen are called upon to serve, their families serve, as well. Our 2013 Families of the Year are indicative of the selfless service that all of our military families demonstrate when we respond for emergencies in our communities or mobilize for missions overseas," said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general. "Congratulations to this year's award recipients and thank you for your dedication to and care of our soldiers and airmen."

Master Sgt. Josh Clarke and his wife, Rachel, represented the North Dakota Air National Guard's Family of the Year. Clarke works full time as a swing shift flight sergeant for the 119th Wing Security Forces Squadron in Fargo. He recently returned from a seven-month long deployment to Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan in October 2013 where he led a 200-member combined security search team, a number of "outside-the-wire" patrol teams and supervised combat missions. He recently was presented a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement.

While Josh was deployed, Rachel volunteered to be one of several "key spouse" family deployment coordinators for his squadron. She helped coordinated several trips and activities for deployed airmen's families. Some of these events included trips to the Fargo Zoo, the Shrine Circus and the Trollwood Performing Arts School's Children's Theatre in Moorhead, Minn.

The airman who nominated the Clarke family for the award said, "She [Rachel] was constantly keeping families informed by emails and phone calls on a weekly basis. She was always available to [support] the family members' needs and proved to be a vital piece of the North Dakota National Guard support system."

The Clarkes also volunteer their time supporting local organizations, such as the North Dakota Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Fargo. They also raise funds to assist local charities and are involved in a number of local clubs and organizations, including the American Legion, VFW, Chamber of Commerce and the National Guard Association of the United States and the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States. They have two children: daughter, Aubrey, and son, Wyatt.

The North Dakota Army National Guard recognized Staff Sgt. Neil Horner, his wife, Chelsey, and their 1-year-old daughter, Nevaeh, as its 2013 Family of the Year. Horner is the readiness noncommissioned officer for Detachment 1, 815th Engineer Company (Horizontal) in Wishek, N.D. Neil and Chelsey both support members of the 815th throughout the year during a number of unit family activities. In addition to volunteering time to work during the events, the Horners also have donated personal items, included their horses and a buggy, which they used to give family members rides around the Wishek community during the unit's annual holiday party.

Chelsey is the lead family readiness group volunteer for the Wishek unit. In that role, she has organized multiple events to support soldiers of the North Dakota Army National Guard. In December 2012, she helped coordinate "Blankets for Kids." During the event, her family readiness group made 46 tie-dye blankets for children of deployed soldiers in the 191st Military Police Company, who were mobilized for a yearlong mission to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Chelsey also has completed a number of training events with the North Dakota National Guard, including resiliency training where she became qualified as a resilience trainer's assistant.

• Date Taken: 03.09.2014
• Date Posted: 03.10.2014 20:15
• Story ID: 121798
• Location: FARGO, ND, US