KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Four high-performing Oregon Army National Guard soldiers traveled to Kingsley Field Oregon Air National Guard Base Sept. 26 to attend a Lt. Dan Band concert honoring the 173rd Fighter Wing.
Sgt. Kalee Berg, Spc. Bryan Ryan, Spc. John Frazier and Pfc. Katie De Lorenza Velez departed from Salem aboard an Oregon Army National Guard C-12 aircraft for the special event sponsored by the Gary Sinise Foundation.
Before departure, Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, Oregon's adjutant general, visited the soldiers at the Charles L. Deibert Flight Operations Facility to congratulate them on their selection.
"These soldiers represent the very best of the Oregon National Guard," Gronewold said. "Their dedication and performance have earned them this well-deserved recognition."
The Gary Sinise Foundation, founded in 2011 by actor and advocate Gary Sinise, serves America's defenders, veterans, first responders and their families. Sinise, best known for his role as Lt. Dan in "Forrest Gump," has dedicated decades to supporting those who serve. The foundation has helped thousands of military members and their families through various programs while the Lt. Dan Band has performed hundreds of concerts for troops worldwide.
The concert provided entertainment and appreciation for the 173rd Fighter Wing personnel and their families, continuing the foundation's mission to honor and support military communities across the nation.
Oregon National Guard soldiers typically serve part-time one weekend a month and two weeks a year. They stand ready to help the communities in which they live during times of disaster, while remaining prepared to defend the nation.