Gen. Craig McKinley speaks at Iowa Veteran Day Banquet

News: Gen. Craig McKinley speaks at Iowa Veteran Day Banquet

Joint Forces Headquarters, Iowa National Guard

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Story by Master Sgt. Mike Battien Follow This Journalist

Master Sgt. Mike Battien

Cadet Sylvia Openshaw poses with Gen. Craig McKinley and Iowa TAG, Maj. Gen. Tim Orr, at the Johnson County Veterans Day Banquet on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. Openshaw was recognized as the 2011 ROTC Cadet of the Year by the Johnson County Military Affairs Association at their 31st annual banquet.

RIVERSIDE, Iowa - Gen. Craig McKinley, chief, National Guard Bureau addressed the Johnson County Military Affairs Association’s 2011 Veterans Day Banquet at Riverside Casino and Golf Resort. McKinley spoke of the importance that today’s National Guard has as an operational force, and reminded guests to never forget the sacrifice and service of every veteran.

As part of the banquet, ROTC cadets from Iowa universities, non-commissioned officers and first sergeants were recognized as state award winners and each received plaques from the Association and commemorative 375th Anniversary of the National Guard coins from McKinley.

The general also gave time to Iowa Adjutant General, Major General Tim Orr, who outlined the Hawkeye State’s contributions to State and Federal missions in 2010 and 2011; including the 2nd Brigade Combat Team’s deployment to Afghanistan. Nearly 2,800 soldiers spent a year in-theater conducting a variety of combat and humanitarian missions.

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