Photo By Staff Sgt. Koan Nissen | Col. Daniel Danaher delivers his retirement speech to family and fellow Nebraska Guard...... read more read more
LINCOLN, Neb. - Col. Daniel Danaher, the state surgeon - Nebraska Army National Guard, and medical detachment commander, is retiring from military service after 29 years.
Danaher’s family, friends, fellow service members, and top Nebraska Guard leadership, to include Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac, the Nebraska Guard adjutant general, and Brig. Gen. Scott Gonewold, the assistant adjutant general (joint), gathered to pay tribute to his many years of dedicated service at the Joint Force Headquarters Building in Lincoln, Nebraska, Aug. 1, 2015.
“This is a monumental day - it really is,” said Gronewold. “He has been the example.”
Gronewold brought attention to Danaher’s aviation beginnings in the Nebraska National Guard.
“He was dependable. There was no duty that was above him,” said Gronewold. “A lot of flight surgeons looked at him and said, 'That’s the way it ought to be.'”
The outgoing state surgeon began his career with a direct appointment to warrant officer on June 5, 1986. Danaher received a promotion to chief warrant officer two in 1988, and he was awarded a direct commission to second lieutenant on Feb. 14, 1992.
During his retirement ceremony, Danaher recalled when fellow National Guard members throughout the country didn’t always recognize the Nebraska Army Guard patch.
“People would ask, ‘What’s that?’” he recalled. Now, however, Danaher says people recognize it as the Cornhusker patch. “This patch means a lot, because the Nebraska Army National Guard is probably the most professional Guard unit that I’m aware of.”
The Nebraska National Guard may be one of the top military organizations in the country; however, it's the top-end leaders who build those top-end organizations.
Danaher’s awards and decorations include, among many others, two Meritorious Service Medals and two Army Commendation Medals. He was recognized as the “Army Aeromedical Physician Assistant of the Year” in 1989, and he was the Nebraska Academy of Physician Assistants' “PA of the Year” in 2013. He also deployed to Camp Phoenix in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 2009.
In his civilian life, Danaher is the director of community health services with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. His education includes a master of physician assistant studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
As Danaher made his closing remarks, he remembered that one’s military service is supported and facilitated by those who closely surround the military member.
“I just want to say I appreciate you being in the service. I appreciate your family, friends and love ones allowing you to be in the service, and I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to be in the service,” he said. “It’s been a great ride. My thoughts and prayers go with all of you and your family - God bless.”
| Date Taken: | 08.01.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.01.2015 17:04 |
| Story ID: | 171831 |
| Location: | LINCOLN, NE, US |
| Web Views: | 289 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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