Pages
Stay In Touch
More
© 2013 KentuckyGuard
Kentucky National Guard Staff Report
Jennifer Hatfield (second from right) is presented with the National Guard Bureau’s Youth Development Volunteer Award in Middlesboro, Ky., Aug. 23, 2015. Maj. Bryan Combs, Family Programs Director (far right) presented Hatfield with the award for her work as the Family Readiness Group leader for Delta Co. !st Battalion, 149th Infantry. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Olivia Burton)
FRANKFORT, Ky. — “Sometimes you do things not looking for someone to say thank you,” said Jennifer Hatfield, Family Readiness Leader for Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry.
But recently, the National Guard Bureau did say thank you to Hatfield, presenting her with the Youth Development Volunteer Award.
Hatfield received the award during the unit’s family day in Middlesboro, Kentucky, Aug. 23.
“If we had more Jennifer Hatfields in the world, the world would be a better place,” said Maj. Bryan Combs, Kentucky’s Family Programs director.
The award is given to those who have positively impacted Guard Family Readiness Groups and key volunteer efforts.
Hatfield has been the FRG leader since 2012 and her leadership skills contributed to the success of two military child events in 2013 and 2014. Her personal community involvement included Middlesboro Youth League Cheerleading Coach, Coordinator for 5K for Our Hometown Hero’s, Gymnastics Instructor in Middlesboro, and Middlesboro T-Ball. She was instrumental in building and strengthening community relationships that have benefitted both the area and the Kentucky Guard.
“We certainly want to recognize one of our own on both a national and local scale,” said Combs. “The dedication and time that she takes for the 149th Infantry is outstanding, and her support is
through her own accord, her own time, and her own energy.”
“What I can tell you from a state level is we do everything we can to support families so our Soldiers can train, but we can’t do that without people like Jennifer. The ground roots level is where it’s at. It’s that person like Jennifer that meets face to face, who knows what our soldiers needs are, what the families and kids are going through that makes us strong.”
Combs said she has played a key role in the FRG to build trust and continuity within the unit and family members. A tough task that has been successful for Hatfield and the 1/149th and it all started with her raising her hand to help and recognizing military children.
“I started Month of the Military Child Appreciation Day because there was a need here for our kids here in this area,” she said. “It started out small and it’s grown tremendously over the years. I do it because I feel our military children need to be involved just as much as the families. They’re just as important as everyone else. I couldn’t do it without the help of the guys here in the unit.”
“Sometimes I do feel like no one sees what I do, so receiving this award feels really good.”
Story and photos by 1st Lt. Mark Slaughter, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Conner and Savannah Morris check out a Kentucky National Guard Humvee as part of the Military Child Appreciation Day activities, April 28, 2012 in Lawrenceburg, Ky. (Photo by 1st Lt. Mark Slaughter)
View more photos from the event by clicking this link
LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. – The Kentucky National Guard sponsored a Military Child Appreciation Day for all dependents from all branches of the military on April 28 at the American Legion Post 24 in Lawrenceburg, Ky. More than 200 children of active duty, National Guard and reserve troops attended the free event, which included art and crafts activities, puppet shows, bean bag toss, archery, face painting, food and drinks.
Caiden, son of Staff Sgt. Aaron Halvorson stands in front of a Kentucky National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter shortly after it landed as part of the Military Child Appreciation Day activities, April 28, 2012 in Lawrenceburg, Ky. (Photo by 1st Lt. Mark Slaughter)
The day began with a Kentucky National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter landing at the Healing Field in Lawrenceburg, Ky. Children watched in amazement as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathon Tidei and his crew touched down on a beautiful Saturday morning.
After preparing the aircraft, the crew gave all the kids an opportunity to ask questions, check out the cockpit controls, and have pictures made in the helicopter.
“I want to be a pilot one day,” announced David Sommerfield, son of Lt. Col. Paul Sommerfield from the Army Reserve 95th Training Division, as he sat in the pilot seat and smiled for the camera.
Moving into the event, children registered then picked out a backpack donated by Backpack Angel, a Louisville-based service organization.
David Sommerfield, son of Lt. Col. Paul Sommerfield of the Army Reserves 95th Training Division gets a feel for the controls of a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter shortly after it landed as part of the Military Child Appreciation Day activities, held on April 28, 2012 in Lawrenceburg, Ky. (Photo by 1st Lt. Mark Slaughter)
Angie Morris, wife of Staff Sgt. Christopher Morris, was ‘blown away’ by the offerings at the event.
“I have a four and a six year old, and was thinking that we would only be there for about 45 minutes,” she said. “I was so impressed and we all had a lot of fun. It was well organized and all of the crafts and activities were great for all ages. We ended up staying for more than three hours!”
After choosing their favorite color backpack Conner and Savannah Morris stopped to have their picture in front of a Kentucky Nation Guard Humvee, before picking up some popcorn donated by the Boy Scouts.
The souvenir of the day was the wax hand art project.
“That was my favorite,” said Morris. “I now have a keepsake to remind me of how tiny their hands are.”
Children enjoyed all kinds of activities including an opportunity to practice their archery skills. Scott Callahan, member of the Guard Teen Panel, insured the kids were safe and provided some useful coaching tips.
Jonathan Olmsted, son of Sgt. 1st Class Branden Olmsted from the 2nd Battalion 138th Field Artillery, receives an archery lesson from Pfc. Scott Callahan, member of the Guard Teen Panel at the Military Child Appreciation Day held on April 28, 2012 in Lawrenceburg, Ky. (Photo by 1st Lt. Mark Slaughter)
The kids had a great time creating sand art, coloring piggy banks, and visiting the face-painting booth.
“They had so much fun and were the envy of all the other children at the ballpark as they proudly maintained and displayed their face paintings during our afternoon games,” said Col. Brian Wertzler.
The opinion about the day could be summed up by Lt. Col. William Ewing who said, “Both of my six year old daughters thoroughly enjoyed the day and have already been asking when can we do it again?”
While the Military Child Appreciation Day was the capstone for the Month of the Military Child, more events are planned throughout the summer. Make sure you don’t miss a single opportunity and stay informed by following us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/KentuckyGuard.
 Donna Campbell and Hayley Lay show off their face paint and enjoy some popcorn while standing in line for pizza and other treats at the Military Child Appreciation Day held on April 28, 2012 in Lawrenceburg, Ky. (Photo by 1st Lt. Mark Slaughter) |
 Sgt. Nat Guard getting a “high five” at the Military Child Appreciation Day, held on April 28, 2012 in Lawrenceburg, Ky. (Photo by 1st. Lt. Mark Slaughter) |
Children whose parents are veterans or currently serving being called forward to receive a special award in recognition of their sacrifice during the Freedom Elementary Friday Celebration Assembly. (Photo by Kelley Slaughter)
Click here for more photos.
SHEPHERDSVILLE, Ky. — Since 1986, throughout the month of April, the military has taken time to recognize the honor and courage of military children, by celebrating the Month of the Military Child. It has been estimated that in the last ten years approximately two million children have experienced the deployment of one or both parents. These children have bravely endured the effects of ten years of conflict, and even as Soldiers are transitioning home from the wars, many challenges remain for military families, and their children.
This year Freedom Elementary in Shepherdsville, Kentucky took time to honor ten students during their Friday celebration assembly. The school in partnership with the Kentucky National Guard Yellow Ribbon Program recognized children whose parents are veterans or currently serving in our Nations Military. The children recognized represented every branch of service, and were surprised when their parents showed up and they where called to the front by their principal.
“I really appreciate the job our military does, and it’s great to honor these kids,” said school Principal Marcella Minogue.
1LT Mark Slaughter presents children from military Families their personalized awards during the Freedom Elementary School Friday Celebration. (Photo by Kelley Slaughter)
Kentucky National Guard 1st Lt. Mark Slaughter presented the children a personalized certificate of appreciation, signed by the command staff of the 198th Military Police Battalion. A commemorative battalion coin was a special surprise for the students. After getting his coin Slaughter’s son, Brandon told his parents to “find someplace safe to store my gold doubloon.”
Students also received an Army water bottle provided by the University of Louisville ROTC department, and a brief reminder of the importance of education from Slaughter.
“They are amazing kids!” said Laurie Todd, the school’s guidance counselor. “We can’t wait to do this again next year!”
Levi Wentworth understands what it is like to have a parent away on deployment. He’s the son of Spc. Nicholas and Heather Wentworth, representing the 149th Brigade Support Battalion “It was cool my dad was there for the program,” Nicholas said.
Military Child Appreciation Day
This event was just one of many held this month. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for next Saturday April 28th for a very special day when all military youth are invited to a “Festival of Fun” at the American Legion Post 34, the Healing Field in Lawrenceburg. Kids will have the opportunity to create wax hands, face painting will be provided lots of arts and crafts plus games like corn hole, archery and Lowes Build and Grow Project. Plenty of food and drinks will be provided and best of all it is free!
For more information Contact:
Cindy Culver at cindy.culver@us.army.mil or 502-607-1751
Linda Jones at linda.jones15@us.army.mil or 502-607-1593
Click on the image below to download the flyer and registration form.
