Photo By Capt. Eric Bandy | Staff Sgt. Andrew Kohtala, a member of the Saginaw-based, Headquarters and...... read more read more
Subscribe
LANSING, Mich. - Staff Sgt. Andrew Kohtala, a member of the Saginaw-based, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry, and a resident of Kalamazoo, was awarded a Michigan Active State Service Ribbon from Maj. Gen. Gregory Vadnais, director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veteran Affairs and adjutant general of the Michigan National Guard, during an awards ceremony held Jan. 25, 2016 at the Saginaw Michigan Army National Guard armory.
Kohtala was one of more than 270 Michigan Guard members who stepped forward to serve their state by distributing drinking water and related supplies to residents of Flint after elevated lead levels were detected in the municipal water system.
Kohtala served with 13 other Guard members on MING, Task Force Flint, Command and Control. He was designated as the non-commissioned officer in charge of operations during the mission. He was awarded the Michigan Active State Service Ribbon with bronze oak leaf cluster, and the Michigan Legion of Merit medal for his service.
Pursuant to the Michigan National Guard, Joint Forces Headquarters Regulation 600-8-22, the MASSR is awarded to any officer, warrant officer or enlisted Soldier who has served honorably for a minimum period of three days on active state service in support to civilian authorities during periods of disaster or emergency under proclamation of the governor of Michigan. A bronze oak leaf cluster represents nine days or more of active state service.
The Michigan Legion of Merit medal may be awarded to personnel who, while serving in any capacity, have distinguished themselves by meritorious performance, achievement or humane service which is oriented toward benefiting the state and its residents. The nominee’s character of service must exceed prescribed standards, expectations, and have accomplishments made with distinction, clearly placing the individual above his or her peers. Mission commanders nominate and present the MI-LM.
Kohtala earned a degree in engineering from Western Michigan University and is employed in the Engineering Services department at Stryker Instruments in Kalamazoo. He is married to Crystal Kohtala, a teacher in the Comstock public school system.
Kohtala has been a combat engineer in the Michigan Army National Guard for more than 15 years with three combat deployments in ten years: Ramadi, Iraq in 2005, eastern Afghanistan in 2009, and southern Afghanistan in 2012-2013).
Staff Sgt. Kohtala is willing to be interviewed by media members. Please contact the Michigan National Guard public affairs office at 517-481-8140.
| Date Taken: | 03.16.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 03.22.2016 09:01 |
| Story ID: | 192608 |
| Location: | LANSING, MI, US |
| Hometown: | BATTLE CREEK, MI, US |
| Hometown: | KALAMAZOO, MI, US |
| Hometown: | LANSING, MI, US |
| Hometown: | SAGINAW, MI, US |
| Web Views: | 38 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Michigan National Guard member from Kalamazoo supports Flint water assistance mission, by Angela Simpson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT