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Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Michael J. Oliver, Kentucky Guard Public Affairs Office
Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini addresses the men and women of the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade "Task Force Legion" at Camp Atterbury, Ind., July 27. (photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Oliver, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office)
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CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. — Military leaders and celebrities joined together for a USO farewell event in honor of the 2,600 members of 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (Task Force Legion) at Camp Atterbury, Ind., July 27. The 149th MEB deploys to Iraq later this week.
Indy car driver JR Hildebrand was one of the celebrities on hand to bid the Soldiers of Task Force Legion good luck on their upcoming deployment. (photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Oliver, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, Kentucky Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., Virginia Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Brian L. Tarbet, Utah Adjutant General were among the first to bid farewell to the men and women of Task Force Legion.
Also on hand to show their support were Sloan Gibson, president of the USO, Leeann Tweeden, host of NBC poker after dark and the USO Homefront Concert, John Barnes, owner of Panther Racing, and Indy car driver #4 JR Hildebrand.
Tweeden, the wife of an Air National Guard officer, was emotional as she addressed the troops, saying “As person that doesn’t wear the uniform, I’m so proud to be an American because of what you Citizen-Soldiers do for our country.”
The task force units from all three states have been training for over a year to prepare for their mission in support of Operation New Dawn. While in Iraq the Soldiers will conduct security force, base defense operations and convoy security operations throughout the United States Forces-Iraq area of responsibility.
Approximately 1,200 of the troops are from the Kentucky Army National Guard, including the 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry (Eastern Kentucky) and the 617th Military Police Company (Louisville).
“Deploying is not a new concept to the men and women of this brigade,” said Col. Scott Campbell, 149th MEB Commander. “Many have deployed multiple times since 9/11. Although it is never easy to leave families, friends, jobs, and communities, with the support of the citizens of the Commonwealth our Soldiers are committed to seeing this historic mission to a successful conclusion.”
Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini got a little help from Leann Tweeden, host of Poker After Dark and USO Homefront Concert, in greeting the troops. (photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Oliver, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office)
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LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. (July 24, 2011) — What’s that rumble in the distance? It’s hundreds of motorcycles descending from points across the Commonwealth and gathering at the Healing Field in Lawrenceburg.
On Saturday, August 13th – rain or shine – riders from across the state will come together with one purpose in mind - to raise much needed funds for the construction of a memorial dedicated to Kentucky Guardsmen who have fallen in the line of duty since March 1912. All proceeds from the event will go to the Kentucky National Guard Memorial Fund, a 501 (c)(3) organization committed to completing the project.
“We are planning for 500 riders, plenty of good food, and hot weather,” said Ride Boss Charlie Jones, who is also a colonel in the Kentucky Army National Guard and a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“This will be a family friendly event. It’s open to anyone who would like to participate and support the cause,” he said.
Riders will depart at various times from starting points including Ashland, Bardstown, Beaver Dam, Bowling Green, Elizabethtown, Frankfort, Georgetown, Glasgow, Lexington, London, Louisville, Owensboro, Paducah, Somerset, Walton, Winchester. Everyone will gather at the Healing Field in Lawrenceburg for fellowship, food, and live entertainment from noon until 3:30 (EST). The event goal is to raise $70,000 for the memorial fund.
Registration fees are $25 for each bike or $35 for couples riding tandem. The fee includes lunch, live entertainment, commemorative T-shirt, and collector’s edition ride patch.
Don’t have a motorcycle? No problem! Non-riders are welcome to join the event at the Healing Field. The $5 admission includes lunch. Rider pre-registration is available via mail until 5 August. Riders can also register the day of the event at any starting point or at the Healing Field.
Visit www.kyngmemorial.com/ride_to_remember for more information (rider registration form, detailed start point information, and event contact information).
ABOUT THE HEALING FIELD
Lawrenceburg’s Healing Field was created by the American Legion Auxiliary as a tribute to fallen Warriors. It is the nation’s only permanent Healing Field. The Healing Field is adjacent to American Legion Post 34 and the Lawrenceburg Fairgrounds.
Address is: 725 West Broadway Street, Lawrenceburg, KY 40342. Go one block east on Route 62 (725 W. Broadway) off the 127 by-pass. Lawrenceburg is 10 miles south of I-64 (on 127) from Kentucky’s capitol city of Frankfort. It is 3 miles north of the Blue Grass Parkway - about 22 miles west of Lexington, Kentucky.
ABOUT THE KYNG MEMORIAL
In June 2008 the Kentucky National Guard Memorial Fund Project was launched. The vision of the 501 (c)(3) organization is to memorialize Kentuckians that have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the Kentucky National Guard. Efforts are underway to construct a memorial in Frankfort to honor the brave Kentucky Guardsmen that have fallen in the line of duty since March 1912. Preliminary research has already verified 115 of 346 potential names for inclusion on the memorial. The search is ongoing for the forgotten fallen of the Kentucky National Guard. Construction estimates for the memorial are $700,000. The Memorial Fund has already raised ten-percent of the total. Contributions from the public are essential for the completion of the project.
For more information, please visit: www.kyngmemorial.com
Ride Questions: Charlie Jones (502) 545-0381 [email protected] or [email protected]
KYNG Memorial Fund Questions: Jason LeMay (502) 330-6358 [email protected] or [email protected]
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By: Spc. David Bolton, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. — Justin Hellard chips the ball out of the 9th hole sand pit onto the green July 18 during the Swings for Soldiers Golf Classic at the Keene Run Golf Course in Nicholasville, Ky. More than 175 people, turned out for the second annual event. Proceeds from the scramble, auctions and raffles will go to Homes for Our Troops, a Massachusetts-based non-profit organization dedicated to building homes for America’s Wounded Warriors.
Read more about the organization and one of the Kentucky Soldiers it has helped in the 4th Quarter Edition of your Bluegrass Guard Magazine.
Don’t receive the Bluegrass Guard? Contact Staff Sgt. Gina Vaile-Nelson, editor, at [email protected] to get your copy today!
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Click here for more photos.
Click here to see the Courier-Journal Story
Click here to see the WLKY TV story
Click here to see the WAVE TV story
Click here to see the WDRB story
USO Homefront Concert featuring country music legends Montgomery Gentry is held at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky. July 26. The concert attracted thousands of National Guard service members as well as friends and family of service members who made history as being attendees to the first ever American hosted USO concert. (Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office photo)
Up and coming country music performer Ray Scott opens at the first ever USO Homefront Concert in front of thousands of attendees at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky. July 26. photo by Spc. David Bolton, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The crowds are gone and the only sound in the arena is the cleanup crew putting things back in order. But Tuesday night’s USO Homefront Concert is alive and well in the memories of thousand of fans. National Guard, active duty and reserve troops and their families were given free tickets to attend the event while 1,400 volunteers attending the National Volunteer Workshop were given VIP treatment and first rate seats.
Broadcast live on the Pentagon Channel to US military bases and ships around the world, the tw0 hour event opened up with up and coming country music performer Ray Scott.
Leean Tweeden, from Poker After Dark and the wife of an Air National Guard officer, acted as hostess throughout the evening. There was also an appearance by Gen. Craig R. McKinley, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, and Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, adjutant general for Kentucky.
Other highlights included shout outs from troops in Iraq who were watching the concert online and guests such as Retired Maj. Ed Pulido from the Folds of Honor Foundation.
Eddie Montgomery of the country music duo Montgomery Gentry riles up the crowd. (photo by Spc. David Bolton, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The main attraction, of course, was Kentucky’s own Montgomery Gentry, who wowed the crowd with fan favorites in an energized performance. The duo expressed gratitude for having been asked to perform for the troops and their families and in return got the audience “all riled up.”
“It was a great concert,” said Capt. Stephanie Fields. “I’m a big fan of Montgomery Gentry and they put on a great performance. We just loved it!”
Fields, deputy state surgeon for the Kentucky Army National Guard, brought her daughter Tori to the concert. She also took a few special guests, Lisa Whitaker and her daughters Meagan, Savannah and Jessica.
Troy Gentry of the country music duo Montgomery Gentry performs for concert goers. (photo by Spc. David Bolton, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office)
“Lisa and her daughters opened their home to my daughter for a year when I mobilized back in 2005. That was a huge thing she did for me and it meant so much knowing that Tori was in good hands. Bringing them with us made the concert even more special to us all.”
Fields’ gratitude reflected what so much of what was said throughout the evening. “When Soldiers are away from home life goes on for the ones you leave at home, knowing my daughter was well cared for made it much easier to focus on taking care of Soldiers.
“I was so impressed with USO Homefront Concert. The real heroes are the Soldier’s families and friends that support us 365 days a year, so I was glad they were recognized and honored last night.”
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Pvt. 1st Class Brandon Hern of the 223rd Military Police Company stationed in Louisville, Ky. and guest Leanna Valla attend the USO Homefront Concert at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky. July 26. (photo by Spc. David Bolton, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Attendees from the National Guard Youth Symposium look like they had a good time at the concert.
Participants from the National Volunteer Workshop got a little Montgomery Gentry love before the concert.
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Gen. Craig R. McKinley, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, and Maj. Gen. Raymond Carpenter, Acting Director, U.S. Army National Guard, National Guard Bureau, field questions from the participants at the 2011 National Volunteer Workshop hosted at the Galt House July 25 in Louisville, Ky. (Staff Photo by Staff Sgt. Fredrick P. Varney, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
Click here for more photos of this event.
United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu from Louisiana, addresses the participants at the 2011 National Volunteer Workshop hosted at the Galt House July 25 in Louisville, Ky. Landrieu is an advocate for the military and supports efforts to improve educational opportunities and good standard of living for military families. (Staff Photo by Staff Sgt. Fredrick P. Varney, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (July 26, 2011) — The 2011 National Volunteer Workshop was off to a great start with a panel of distinguished guests — including Gen. Craig R. McKinley, Chief of the National Guard Bureau and Maj. Gen. Raymond Carpenter, Acting Director, U.S. Army National Guard — taking questions from the audience.
The keynote speaker for this event was U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu from Louisiana, an advocate for military families. Landrieu is well known for visiting troops and their families, as well as fighting to improve living conditions, educational benefits and the standard of living in the military community.
Gen. Craig R. McKinley, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, presents Kentucky's Adjutant General Edward W. Tonini with an award for his support of the 2011 National Volunteer Workshop hosted at the Galt House July 25 in Louisville, Ky. Carol Tonini, wife of the adjutant general, was present during the ceremony. (Staff Photo by Staff Sgt. Fredrick P. Varney, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
Alex Baird, Chief of Family Programs, National Guard Bureau, presents Mrs. Mary Small, the wife of CW4 Phil Small, an award for her dedication and support as a volunteer for the Vermont National Guardsmen. The 2011 National Volunteer Workshop was hosted at the Galt House July 25 in Louisville, Ky. (Staff Photo by Staff Sgt. Fredrick P. Varney, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
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Capt. Bryan Combs, Family Programs Director for the Kentucky National Guard, and Scott Callahan, National Youth Symposium attendee, share stories at the National Youth Symposium in Louisville, Ky July 24. Thousands of dollars worth of supplies were donated by business on behalf of Callahan's request in order to provide young Afghan children the tools needed to learn basic English in village schools across the country. (Photo by Spc. Will Bolton, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It all started as a joke. Most people would think raising $5,000 in school supplies in two weeks to be an impossible task but for 16 year old Scott P. Callahan of Boyd Co., Kentucky, it was a challenge to be met and conquered.
Dozens of boxes donated by Kentuckians containing a variety of school supplies such as notebooks, pencils, crayons, books, scissors and rulers await packaging by attendees of the Kentucky Youth Symposium in Louisville, Ky July 24. The school supplies will be sent overseas to Afghanistan for young children who are learning English at school in their home town. (Photo by Spc. Will Bolton, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
The charitable donation was made by many local businesses and delivered to the sixth annual National Guard Youth Symposium in Louisville, Ky. July 24 where more than 100 youths from across the country and U.S. territories came to discuss communication methods, team building strategies and what ways the youths could get connected and stay connected through the National Guard. The school supplies ranged from notebooks and pencils to books and crayons and will be donated to villages across Afghanistan for young children learning English.
“It will make a difference for years,” said Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael J. Dornbush, Director of the Joint Staff for the Kentucky National Guard.
Callahan, an attendee to the youth symposium, has been active in the Kentucky Youth Program for two years and has taken part in many activities offered by the state, most notably the Kentucky National Guard Youth Camp.
“It is absolutely a ball,” said Callahan. “You get to have so much fun, it’s awesome!”
Like other symposium delegates, Callahan was required to submit an essay on why he should be chosen to represent Kentucky to the rest of the nation. His muse was his father, Kentucky Guardsman Staff Sgt. Patrick Callahan assigned to Training Command at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky.
“My dad’s my hero,” said Callahan. “My dad is someone who is strong, my dad has built me into who I am.”
When he found out he was chosen to attend the symposium, Callahan was thrilled and humbled at the same time.
“Coming to this symposium is the greatest honor I have ever received as a 16 year old boy,” he said.
Callahan is committed to making the Kentucky Guard State Youth Program the best. His goal is to show the nation how much, Kentucky takes pride in its youth.
“I want to show what we’re made of,” said Callahan. “I want to be the face of the Kentucky National Guard Youth Program.”
Air Force BG Michael J. Dornbush, Director of Joint Staff for the Kentucky National Guard shares personal advice with National Guard Youth Symposium attendee Scott Callahan during the National Guard Youth Symposium in Lousiville, Ky July 24. Callahan was able to raise over $3,000 in school supply donations that will be packaged and sent to Afghanistan to benefit young school children learning English in their villages. (Photo by Spc. Will Bolton, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
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Story by: Staff Sgt. Fredrick P. Varney, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Attendees from the National Volunteer Workshop on their way to see Montgomery Gentry in the first ever USO Homefront Concert. More than 1,400 volunteers were given VIP treatment at the concert.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (July 26, 2011) – Volunteers from every state and territory in the nation were in attendance for the 2011 National Guard Family Programs National Volunteer Workshop hosted by the Kentucky National Guard July 25th-27th at the Galt House in Louisville.
The National Volunteer Workshop affords National Guard family volunteers the opportunity to exchange ideas and consider best practices in assisting Soldiers and their families. The workshop also provides senior Department of Defense, National Guard Bureau, and State and Territory leadership the opportunity to interact with volunteers from each State and Territory.
As a part of the National Workshop, the National Guard Bureau recognizes special achievements by National Guard Family Program volunteers who demonstrate outstanding dedication and commitment to family programs. Various awards include Guard Family of the Year, Extra Mile Awards, and Regional Family Members of the Year Awards.
Joseph Kelly and his family are volunteers for the Massachusetts Survivor Outreach Services Office. On June 8, 2005, Kelly’s son Michael Kelly made the ultimate sacrifice for our country while deployed to Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terrorism. After the tremendous loss of their hero, Michael’s sister Colleen started working on reform for the Family Readiness Program in Massachusetts. The family is also involved with the New England Troop Supporters Program, a foundation that sends care packages to troops overseas.
“The National Volunteer Workshop has been a very wonderful learning experience,” said Kelly.
“We are developing the necessary tools that will assist us in helping other Soldiers and families within our great state of Massachusetts. Maj. Gen. Joseph Carter has been very supportive of our family. It’s truly a great honor to be formally recognized by the National Guard Bureau as the Guard Family of the Year.”
The three day conference began with the 375th Running of the National Guard Derby. Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, adjutant general of Kentucky, and his staff designed a horse racing simulator for the volunteers. The simulator allowed participants of the workshop to experience a virtual Kentucky Derby.
“The opening night of the workshop was amazing,” said Brig. Gen. John E. Walsh, adjutant general for the state of Montana.
“General Tonini and his staff provided a very organized and creative National Workshop for the family volunteers. The opening night set the tone for my family because our horse managed to win the 375th Running of the National Guard Derby. Monday’s conference was very informative and the break out sessions has been top-notch in terms of new innovative ideas for helping Soldiers and their families.”
Vermont native Mary Small, winner of the Family Member of the Year Award for Region One, said the workshop offered a vast variety of knowledge for volunteers.
“The workshop from beginning to end was extremely professional and informative. The Bluegrass State should be proud of everything accomplished here in Louisville this week.”
The National Volunteer Workshop concluded with Kentucky’s own Montgomery Gentry performing in the KFC YUM! Center in the USO Homefront Concert. The event was free to all family volunteers and Soldiers attending the workshop.
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PRESENTS
The First-Ever USO Homefront Concert
STARRING
Montgomery Gentry
Tuesday, July 26 | 7:00 p.m. | Louisville, Kentucky’s KFC Yum! Center
The First-Ever USO Homefront Concert!
The USO and Kentucky National Guard has joined forces to produce a Montgomery-Gentry Concert. This concert will honor the families of the troops and volunteers who support them. This is the first-ever “Homefront USO Concert” will be a reverse version of typical USO shows that originate at the location of deployed troops. The concert will be presented live to the family volunteers, home-based soldiers and airmen, Active-Duty, National Guard and Reserve and their families at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville and will be broadcast live to deployed troops around the world via the Pentagon Channel.
Supporting the Volunteers Who Support the Mission
The concert will show appreciation for the sacrifices and service of our military families and our volunteer force. The volunteers who assist with family support while our troops are deployed play an integral role in supporting the families of soldiers during long tours of duty.
This concert is being held the same week as the National Guard’s National Volunteer Workshop and Youth Symposium, which is attended by more than 1,400 Guardsmen and family volunteers.
International Broadcast
The concert will be broadcast via the Pentagon Channel to over 32 million homes in the U.S. and over 378 bases worldwide to show troops in theater we are taking care of their families back home. The Pentagon will uplink the program to Armed Forces Network (AFN) for distribution worldwide and even ships at sea.
www.homefrontconcert.com
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Click here for more photos.
Pvt. 1st Class Ethan Taylor and Pvt. 1st Class Brandon Hurn of the 223rd Military Police Company provide security during the 2011 National Volunteer Workshop and Youth Symposium at the Galt House in Louisville, Ky. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Fredrick P. Varney, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
General Craig R. McKinley, Chief of the National Guard Bureau makes opening remarks at the 2011 National Volunteer Workshop and Youth Symposium at the Galt House in Louisville, Ky. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Fredrick P. Varney, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
Steve Buttleman, official bugler for the Kentucky Derby, plays at the 2011 National Volunteer Workshop at the Galt House in Louisville, Ky. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Fredrick P. Varney, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
Attendees of the 2011 National Volunteer Workshop receive special recognition from local television personality John Ramsey for their Derby attire. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Fredrick P. Varney, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
Montana National Guard representatives win first place in the the 375th Running of the National Guard Derby during the 2011 National Volunteer Workshop. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Fredrick P. Varney)
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Air Force BG Michael J. Dornbush, Director of Joint Staff for the Kentucky National Guard shares personal advice with National Guard Youth Symposium attendee Scott Callahan during the National Guard Youth Symposium in Lousiville, Ky July 24. Callahan was able to raise over $3,000 in school supply donations that will be packaged and sent to Afghanistan to benefit young school children learning English in their villages. (Photo by Spc. Will Bolton, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
Click here for more photos.
LOUISVILLE, Ky — There’s a lot going on this week at the National Guard’s 2011 National Volunteer Workshop and Youth Symposium. More than 1,400 National Guard Family Programs volunteers will converge in Louisville this week to exchange ideas and share “best practices” as well as to provide training on current program policies and practices as well as new initiatives.
Following are some photos of the preparations for the youth symposium.
Highlighting the week will be the first-ever “USO Homefront Concert,” a joint effort between the USO and the Kentucky National Guard. This unique event will be broadcast live from Louisville Kentucky’s KFC YUM! Center on Tuesday, July 26th at 7:00 p.m.
Kat Boynton, a Guard team panel member attending the National Guard Youth Symposium in Louisville, Ky July 24, makes signs for the various regions that will be attending this year. The Youth Symposium is designed to help youths in military families to better adapt, adjust and cope with the unique issues that come with growing up in a military family. (Photo by Spc. Will Bolton, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
Erika Slaton of the National Guard Bureau Child and Youth Program oversees the flow and organization of donated school supplies at the National Guard Youth Symposium in Louisville, Ky July 24. The school supplies will be sent overseas in an effort to benefit young Afghan children learing English in their home villages. (Photo by Spc. Will Bolton, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
Daniel Culberson, a Guard team panel member from Jacksonville, Fl, totes a basket full of school supplies to be organized and packaged for shipment to Afghanistan in Louisville, Ky July 24. The school supplies were donated by Kentuckians from around the state to support the education of young Afghan children who are learning English in school. (Photo by Spc. Will Bolton, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
