NC Guard hosts annual retiree event

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Mary Junell | RALEIGH, N.C. - The Senior Enlisted Leader for the North Carolina National Guard, Command Sgt. Maj. John Swart, talks with a group of retired guardsmen during the annual Tarheel Homecoming event at the NCNG’s Joint Force Headquarters in Raleigh, N.C. on Dec. 16, 2016. The event brought more than 230 retirees together and gave them an opportunity to learn more about the benefits available to them. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Mary Junell)  

RALEIGH, NC, UNITED STATES

12.19.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Mary Junell  

North Carolina National Guard

RALEIGH, N.C. - North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, civilian staff, service organizations and other vendors hosted the annual Tarheel Homecoming celebration held at the North Carolina National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina on Dec. 16, 2016.
Tarheel Homecoming invites NCNG retirees and prior service members to learn more about current Guard operations and provide information on retiree benefits.
Many veterans are not aware of the benefits and programs available to them and this event acts as a way to bring together these former service members and the organizations aimed at helping them.
“We are educating retirees to make sure they understand their benefits and what they’re entitled to,” said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Shook, the acting director of casualty operations for the NCNG, who was manning one of over a dozen booths in the atrium at the headquarters building. “Many funeral homes and civilian authorities don’t actually understand that a National Guardsman is entitled to additional benefits that are comparable to the active component.”
Other booths included the Education Office, the Employment and Education Center and the North Carolina National Guard Association.
Retired Sgt. 1st Class Shelton Faircloth, who left the service in 2011 said that the event acts as a way to reconnect and stay educated on the Guard and his benefits.
“To come back and not just see older friends that I served with but to find out about the information they put out is great,” said Faircloth, who now works at the Durham, N.C. VA Medical Center as a Telehealth health technician. “Coming to these types of events are great for any type of retiree as it will give you a perspective on what is going on that can benefit you for your service to the North Carolina National Guard.”
In addition to the regular briefing on the current state of the Guard, a special special presentation was held for Vietnam Era Veterans, as this year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration.
All the Vietnam Veterans were asked to come onto the stage in the auditorium where they were presented with a commemorative lapel pin and a sticker for their cars.
The annual event brought more than 230 retires Guardsmen together this year.

• Date Taken: 12.19.2016
• Date Posted: 12.19.2016 15:48
• Story ID: 218147
• Location: RALEIGH, NC, US