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© 2013 KentuckyGuard
By Olivia Burton, Kentucky National Guard Family Programs
Kentucky National Guard and The American Legion Auxiliary Anderson Unit 34 teamed up for the annual Operation Military Cheer to benefit military families during the holiday. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Olivia Burton)
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Over the past several years, Home Builders Care, in partnership with Members of the Home Builders Association of Lexington have collected toys, bicycles, clothing, musical instruments and gift cards that have been distributed to more than 650 Kentucky Guard families.
Operation Military Cheer has become a momentous occasion for the local community and military families needing a little help around the holiday season. This year was no exception.
Sgt. Stephanie Williams and Sgt. 1st Class Charity Lane help load donations from the Home Builders Association in Lexington, Ky., Dec. 11, 2015. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Olivia Burton)
“In 2011, we started a non-profit here at the Home Builders Association called Home Builders Care. Our involvement in Operation Military Cheer has grown tremendously, especially this year,” said Treasurer Don Sullivan. “It is well worth the work and preparation. This is my Christmas.”
Once the toys were collected at the Home Builders Association in Lexington, they were transported to the “North Pole” at the American Legion Auxiliary in Anderson County. Donations flooded Unit 34, ranging from large corporations to single contributors. Ale 8, Mayfield Academy, The Lexington Church and tenants at Bluegrass Army Depot also took the opportunity to help out.
Once the items were organized by local volunteers, they were sent to 16 armories across the state. From Pikeville to Murray, 148 families, including 379 children, will have a little more to smile about this Christmas.
Child and Youth Programs Coordinator Linda Jones shared their reason for the season, “It not only warms my heart to see all these kids get gifts for Christmas that wouldn’t have otherwise, but it warms my heart to see fellow military families and the community step up and take care of these kids for Christmas.
Kentucky National Guard and The American Legion Auxiliary Anderson Unit 34 teamed up for the annual Operation Military Cheer to benefit military families during the holiday. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Olivia Burton)
The Kentucky Guard and The American Legion Auxiliary Anderson Unit 34 have spearheaded the drive to serve families in need this holiday season.
On behalf of the State Family Programs Office, we would like to thank everyone for their contributions and sacrifices made to provide help to our families. If you would like to learn more about this program or are a Service member in need of assistance, please call 1-800-372-7601 opt 1.
By Olivia Burton, Kentucky National Guard Family Programs
November is Military Family Month. This November also included military appreciation days at such venues as Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, Ky., where the University of Louisville hosted military families for their football game Nov. 7, 2015. (Photo courtesy of Kentucky National Guard Family Programs)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Each year the President signs a proclamation declaring November Military Family Month. This month, the Kentucky National Guard aimed to honor and celebrate the commitment and sacrifices made by the families of Kentucky Guardsmen.
With the support of local communities joining forces across the commonwealth, Kentucky truly leads the way in providing care for their military families.
Families of the 1163rd Area Medical Support Company, currently deployed to the Middle East, gathered in Louisville Nov. 7, to hear about services offered in their area.
Community leaders, veterans’ organizations, the local armory and the University of Louisville teamed up to recognize family members and even provided free admission to the Louisville Cardinals football game. As spouses and parents of deployed Service members received information on services offered, their children spent the day together decorating cookies and making new friends.
“I believe these events are beneficial not just for learning about the programs available to the military family, but also it helps to interact with others going through the same situations,” said military spouse, Kim Beard. “Our kids can play and maybe feel comforted by knowing they all have a daddy that is working far away.”
Many services presented their benefits and programs, including Active Heroes, Athena Sisters, Military One Source, American Red Cross, and the Enlisted Association National Guard of Kentucky.
“This event gives my family the opportunity to obtain unknown information then spend the evening together at the football game. It is a must for us to stay busy with fun things to keep the kids’ minds busy and full of things to talk about with their daddy when he calls,” Beard said.
Like Beard, many families share the same hardship and cling to their communities and each other for support, especially during the deployment cycle. It is our responsibility to ensure our families are always taken care of across Kentucky.
Please join the Kentucky National Guard this month as we honor their daily sacrifices. Contact your local Family Assistance Center if you know of a family in need or are a family member seeking information on ways your community supports you.
For a special way to give back this holiday season, please check out Operation Military Cheer at this link: http://kentuckyguard.com/family-programs/child-youth-services/
Kentucky offers final formation for outgoing Guardsmen
By Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Soldiers preparing to exit their term of service or ETS, speak with members of the Kentucky Guard’s personnel office to verify personal records during a final formation event in Frankfort, Ky., July 12, 2015. The Soldiers are required to review their records for accuracy including finance and medical histories. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
FRANKFORT, Ky. — A new program in the Kentucky National Guard is now providing Soldiers leaving the Service their own opportunity to close, or open the door to a future in the Guard.
Known as the Final Formation, Soldiers preparing for their expiration of term of service or ETS are required to attend the one-day event to either re-up or out-process. This initiative provides a process that enables the Soldiers to out process from the Kentucky National Guard, for personnel staff to work issues, and an opportunity for the senior leadership to affect a Soldier’s decision to reenlist.
“We absolutely want to retain every good qualified Soldier, no doubt,” said Col. Michael Abell, director of the Kentucky Guard’s personnel office. “But for those who have honorably served, whether it was one term or 30 years, we also want to ensure they exit the Kentucky Guard with the same level of detail and care as when they entered.”
The program provides two objectives: 1. To ensure the Soldiers who are going to ETS are provided a transition program and understand the benefits they will retain and the benefits they will lose. 2. One last appeal to the Soldier to retain highly qualified Soldiers and their experience.
After six years in the Guard, Sgt. Russell Gray from the 223rd Military Police Company has decided to leave to spend more time with his family.
“It’s good to be able to come here and have the opportunity to say your peace, your side of the story and why you’re getting out,” said Gray.
For Pfc. Dillon Morvel, also from the 223rd, the program was a window of opportunity to continue his service to the commonwealth by re-enlisting.
Lt. Col. Lance Grebe re-enlists Pfc. Dillon Morvel during a final formation event in Frankfort, Ky., July 12, 2015. The final formation program offers Soldiers on last chance to re-up or out-process with assistance from the Kentucky Guard’s personnel office. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
“It’s more formal to come to Frankfort to do this,” he said. “Being here really shows you that not only your unit wants you stay in, but your state wants you too.”
“I love being in the Guard, I really enjoy every minute each month,” he added.
Items Covered at the event include: Personal records review, medical records review, Veteran benefits, finance review, retirement planning, and employment services. For those Soldiers retiring, the Final Formation offers a critical piece of their out-processing as all paperwork is reviewed for accuracy and completion.
Kentucky borrowed pieces of the program from other states, after hearing the success stories. Lt Col. Lance Grebe, transition officer, said the program is expected to continue indefinitely as Guardsmen ETS monthly.
“I believe one of the biggest misconceptions of Final Formation is we are strictly focused on trying to change Soldiers decisions about discontinuing their service to the Kentucky Army National Guard. However, the intent of the program is focused on providing Soldiers with a smooth transition out of the military if they choose,” said Grebe. “They have earned it and deserve our attention regardless of their intentions.”
By David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Keeneland Race Track mascot “Buckles” played host to Military Appreciation Day to celebrate Kentucky military families on April 22. (Photo by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, PAO, Kentucky National Guard)
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Military families from all services are invited to attend Military Appreciation Day at Keeneland racetrack in Lexington this Sunday, October 21 from noon to 4 p.m.
“We are extremely grateful to the staff here at Keeneland for giving their time and effort to make this a special day for our military families,” said Kentucky National Guard Chief Warrant Officer Jennifer Maggard from State Family Programs. “This is just another wonderful example of how Kentucky values its military community.”
The Kentucky National Guard’s Family Programs will set up a resource table to provide assistance to military families, plus there will be a kickoff to this year’s Operation Military Cheer, a drive to provide for the needs of military children and youth for the upcoming holiday season.
Maggard wants to remind attendees to take advantage of the Military Kids Zone and a free lunch . Also, ceremonies will be held in the winner’s circle in honor of Wounded Warriors, deployed troops and the survivors of fallen service members.
“What better way for our military families to have fun than a day at the races,” said Maggard. “This is most definitely a new Kentucky tradition.”
Following is the day’s timeline of events:
12:00 p.m. Presentation of colors by the Eastern Kentucky University ROTC and the singing of the national anthem by the Kentucky Guard’s own Spc. Cheyenne Jennings in the Winner’s Circle.
Activities begin in the North Terrace – free lunch, music, children’s activities.
12:55 p.m. Winner’s Circle recognition of Wounded Warriors, just prior to Race 1.
1:26 p.m. Winner’s Circle recognition of families of the 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery just prior to Race 2.
1:57 p.m. Winner’s Circle recognition of Survivors of American Heroes, just prior to Race 3.
2:30 p.m. Winner’s Circle recognition of Service for Peace, just prior to Race 4.
4:00 p.m. Activities conclude in the North Terrace.
4:17 p.m. Post time for 7th race with horses wearing camouflaged saddle towels, followed by a presentation of trophy following race.
