RAPID CITY, S.D. – Gloria Doohen of Sioux Falls, S.D., wife of former South Dakota National Guard Adjutant General Steve Doohen, received the prestigious National Guard Bureau Gold Award on Friday, May 24, 2013. The annual award is presented to one individual who shows long-term, consistent and dedicated support volunteering with the National Guard Family Program.
“(Doohen’s) efforts have touched so many, from a family needing groceries to a child hugging a bear to ease the separation from a parent, or a veteran who needed that gift of hope,” said Lynn Wright, S.D. National Guard’s family program senior family readiness support assistant.
Doohen spent more than 30 years volunteering with the S.D. National Guard, much of that time with the family program. She hosted monthly luncheons for families, and championed the “Banner Project of Our S.D. Fallen Heroes of This War” campaign. During the development of this campaign, she personally visited all 35 families of South Dakota’s fallen heroes. When her banner project was unveiled in 2009, the families of all of the then 26 fallen heroes attended.
“Gloria’s dedication to the families of our soldiers and airmen has been unfailing,” said Brig. Gen. Ted Johnson, director of the Joint Staff, during the award presentation.
Mrs. Doohen continues to be an active volunteer with numerous community services, never failing to spread a message of unfailing compassion and humanity.