Guard Families Honored at Symposium

Photo By David Lipp | Sgt. 1st Class Richard Haugen and his wife, Tess, present the 2010 North Dakota National Guard Families of the Year. The Haugens were the 2009 North Dakota Army National Guard Family of the Year and later went on to receive the national Family of the Year title.  

BISMARCK, ND, UNITED STATES

03.05.2011

Courtesy Story

North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

BISMARCK, N.D. - Generosity and devotion to fellow Guardsmen were two of the key attributes displayed by the Air and Army National Guard's 2010 Military Families of the Year, said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general.

"Without the sacrifices of those in our Guard family, our organization would not be able to reach our objectives and achieve mission success year after year," Sprynczynatyk said. "Our Families of the Year represent the best in our organization and demonstrate the tremendous support military families give our soldiers and airmen."

The names of the families were announced at this year's Adjutant General's Symposium for Families at the Ramkota Hotel, Bismarck, N.D., March 5. The annual event brings together Guard family members to recognize their sacrifices as well as to share information and network with Guard peers.

"We value our families' contributions and all that they've done for North Dakota. It has been said that military readiness is directly tied to family readiness. Families have so much to offer," said Rob Keller, director of the North Dakota National Guard's Service Member and Family Support Division.

Chief Master Sgt. Monte Bachmann , his wife, Ginny, and son, Gage, represented the North Dakota Air National Guard's Military Family of the Year. Bachmann works as the 178th Reconnaissance Squadron's senior enlisted advisor for the 119th Wing in Fargo. He has been pivotal in arranging Yellow Ribbon Reintegration events for Airmen returning from overseas deployments.

Virginia is a volunteer for the 119th Wing's Family Program. She has helped coordinate a number of Wing events, including the unit's annual children's Christmas party, Family Day and Hooligan Day.

In addition, Virginia is the lead volunteer supporting families whose Airmen serve within the 178th Reconnaissance Squadron. Master Sgt. David Somdahl, 119th Wing, said that Virginia continually seeks out resources and provides support for Air Guard families.

The North Dakota Army National Guard recognized Sgt. 1st Class Wesley Widmer's family as its 2010 Family of the Year. Widmer and his wife, Tammy, along with their children, Joshua, Randii, Noah, Michael and Rebecca, have been intimately involved in family support activities for Widmer's unit, the 136th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.

This year also brought heartbreak within the 136th's ranks when unit member Sgt. 1st Class Jason Gleason passed away. The Widmer family cared for and supported the Gleason family throughout Gleason's battle with cancer.

Repeatedly, the Widmers made visits to the family and also assisted with work around their home.

Widmer also represented the North Dakota Army National Guard as a member of the Honor Guard and rendered military honors at Gleason's funeral.

Before the Widmers and Bachmanns were recognized at the Adjutant General's Symposium for Families, they were introduced by Sgt. 1st Class Richard Haugen and his wife, Tess. The Haugens were the 2009 North Dakota Army National Guard Family of the Year. The family later went on to earn the national-level Army Guard Family of the Year award. They were honored for their contributions at the national Family Program Volunteer Workshop in New Orleans, La., last year.

• Date Taken: 03.05.2011
• Date Posted: 03.08.2011 15:24
• Story ID: 66694
• Location: BISMARCK, ND, US