Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Billie Jo Lorius | Mark Vannurden, son of Jennifer Vannurden (right) attended the "Day of the Deployed"...... read more read more
BISMARCK, N.D. – Military members from all branches of service and their families were honored today at the North Dakota State Capitol. The 5th annual Day of the Deployed 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. Gov. John Hoeven signed a proclamation declaring Oct. 26 the “Day of the Deployed” in North Dakota. Hoeven also gave the main address.
“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. 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 the North Dakota National Guard, was Command Sgt. Maj. Gerald Miller 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. Because of their support and the support of our communities, we continue to succeed in both our stateside and international missions.”
Other speakers included Shelle Michaels, Soldiers’ Angels and Jennifer Vannurden, wife of deployed Capt. Walyn Vannurden, commander of the North Dakota Army National Guard’s Grand Forks based 1-188th Air Defense Artillery – Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment and Sentinel Radar mission. Closing the ceremony was Emily Custer, who wrote and sang “Thank You”, an original song dedicated to all service members.
Michaels, who led development of the Day of the Deployed said, "We encourage Americans to make this a day that our country stands in unison to support our deployed warriors and their families, a day to renew our commitment to support the troops all year long."
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 (www.soldiersangels.org) 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 Bismarck, 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.
| Date Taken: | 10.26.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.26.2010 21:52 |
| Story ID: | 58877 |
| Location: | BISMARCK, ND, US |
| Web Views: | 82 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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