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© 2013 KentuckyGuard
Story by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, Director of Public Affairs, Kentucky National Guard
Pictures by Maj. David Page, Public Affairs, Kentucky National Guard
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Governor and first lady, Steve and Jane Beshear, examine Leland Caty's specially decorated keep-sake during a holiday celebration held December 3 at the 1204th Aviation Support Battalion armory located in Independence, Ky. The Governor was accompanied by Maj. Gen. Edward Tonini, the adjutant general, and his wife, Carol. Leland's step-father, Spc. Neal A. McIver is a member of the 1204th.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (3 DEC)- Governor Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear joined Adjutant General Edward W. Tonini and his wife, Carol in a holiday visit on Dec. 3 with the families of the Kentucky National Guard’s 1204th Aviation Support Battalion in Independence, Ky. and the Agribusiness Development Team3 in Frankfort, Ky.
“The folks over there couldn’t do their jobs without these families giving them support,” said Beshear to a gathering of families from the 1204th.
Captain Brandon C. Candee helps son, Cade, with a puzzle during the Joint Forces Headquarters holiday celebration held December 3 in Frankfort, Ky., the Capitol Plaza Hotel.
The 1204th ASB is made up of approximately 325 Soldiers from Kentucky and another 275 from Alabama, Florida and Maryland. The troops are currently deployed to Iraq and Kuwait where they are performing aviation maintenance missions in support of Operation New Dawn. They are expected to return home sometime later next year.
After a morning visit in Independence, the Governor and Adjutant General flew to Frankfort to share time with families and Soldiers at their holiday banquet.
“We’re thankful for all of the families and all the support they give our Troops. Our Soldiers and Airmen can’t do their jobs without the support of our loved-ones here at home,” Tonini expressed to a packed hall at the Capitol Plaza in Frankfort.
The luncheon in Frankfort honored the families of the Joint Force Headquarters of the Kentucky National Guard, as well as the families of the Kentucky Guard Agribusiness Development Team 3 currently serving in Afghanistan. The banquet hall had a two-way video conference with the Troops in Afghanistan, 8 ½ hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
The Waller family, Shannon, wife, Matthew and Madalyn, children talke with loved one, Sgt. Kerry Waller, who is a member of Kentucky National Guard's Agribusiness Development Teams (ADT) III currently deployed to Afghanistan, over video during a holiday celebration held December 3 in Frankfort, Ky., the Capitol Plaza Hotel.
“This kind of communication keeps everyone positive especially during the holidays when it’s harder with the distance and everything,” said Kristine Mullaney, wife of the KYNG ADT3 Commander, Col. Neil Mullaney.
With approximately 45 Soldiers and Airmen, KYADT 3 is charged with sustaining the relationships built between former KYADTs and Afghan farmers to ensure the country becomes agriculturally self-sufficient through development of the agricultural marketplace. The unit is expected to return home early next year.
Since 9/11, more than 14,000 Kentucky National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have mobilized in support of the Global War on Terror. The Kentucky National Guard currently has nearly 1,700 troops deployed worldwide.
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NEWS LINKS
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WDRB - Fox41 Louisville
Family members of deployed Kentucky National Guard Soldiers and Airmen gather for lunch and hear from their loved ones via video teleconferencing at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base, Louisville, KY, 4 Dec.
All photos taken by 123rd AW Wing Public Affairs.
KEH
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Governor Steve Beshear and first lady Jane Beshear joined Adjutant General Edward W. Tonini and his wife, Carol, for holiday luncheons with Families of the deployed Soldiers and Airmen from the Kentucky National Guard today.
“These Families are so strong,” said Tonini. “I take great pride in seeing them during the holidays. It’s no secret that they make as much of a sacrifice for their country as their Soldiers and Airmen overseas.”
State Command Sgt. Major Greg Armstrong and State Command Warrant Officer Delynn Gibson from the Kentucky National Guard visited Family members of the 2123rd Transportation Company in Richmond who currently have 168 Soldiers deployed to Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Chris Eden, a Purple Heart Medal recipient, was also in attendance.
“Sergeant Eden truly represents our Soldiers at their best,” said Armstrong. “His loyalty to his country and his selflessness is an example to us all. I’m blessed to have had the opportunity to shake Chris’ hand.”
Maj. Gen. Francis Wiercinski presents Gov. Beshear the Honorary Screaming Eagle award as Maj. Gen. John Campbell, Commander of the 101st Airborne Division watches the presentation via a video teleconference from Afghanistan.
While visiting Family members in Louisville, Beshear received an Honorary Screaming Eagle award from Maj. Gen. John Campbell, commander of the 101st Airborne Division. Campbell joined Beshear through a video teleconference from Afghanistan. Maj. Gen. Francis Wiercinski, senior commander for the 101st, Campbell’s wife, Ann, and T.C. Freeman, civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army for Kentucky assisted in the
presentation.
The Families in Louisville represented Kentucky Guard members currently deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The 123rd Airlift Wing, with over 160 Airmen; the Agricultural Development Team II with 70 Soldiers and Airmen; and the 3rd Detachment 20th Special Forces Group, with 28 Soldiers deployed, are all stationed in various locations throughout Afghanistan.
.The Kentucky National Guard currently has more than 450 Soldiers and Airmen deployed worldwide. Nearly 14,000 Kentucky Guardsmen have been mobilized for the War on Terror since 2001.
Gov. Beshear visits with Family members of deployed Kentucky National Guard Soldiers and Airmen while having lunch at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base, Louisville, KY.
Santa Claus visits with Family members of deployed Kentucky National Guard Soldiers and Airmen while having lunch at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base, Louisville, KY.
Family members video teleconference with their deployed Kentucky National Guard Soldiers and Airmen while at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base, Louisville, KY.
Gov. Beshear shares holiday cheer with the child of a deployed Kentucky Air National Guard Airman while having lunch at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base, Louisville, KY.
