Tarheel Guardsman

JUNE/JULY 2012

NCNGA51st AnnualConvention

(see pages 4-5)

Tarheel Guardsmanwww.ncnga.orgPage 2 — June/July 2012

Guard Team:It’s been some time since this magazine has had a column from the adjutant general. With this installment, that changes. And it’s in line with the campaign plan objective of achieving effective strategic communication. Why is a TAG column important when it comes to meeting the strategic communication objective? Simply put, communicating with the command, our families, retirees, employers and other stakeholders draws our total team together, gets us all on the same page and means all of us pull together when it comes to telling the Guard story. Perhaps at no other time in history has telling that story been more important. North Carolina, like every other state, faces challenges like never before. After more than a decade of conflict, our force is the most experienced, reliable and responsive ever. Those capabilities, coupled with our cost effectiveness, make us the best military bargain for the nation and the state. As we stare down a state and national budget crisis, we must work together to ensure lawmakers, the public and all of our stakeholders understand the value we bring to the table. You can help. Every time you put on the uniform and step out in public, every time someone asks you about your Guard service, every time you speak to a civic group, make a presentation at a school or talk to a town, county or federal official, you become a messenger for the North Carolina National Guard. And nobody tells the Guard story better than those who wear the uniform. On the other end of the spectrum, every one of

you is a sensor, because as you discuss your Guard service, why you serve and why it’s important to our community, you will hear what people think of what we do. That feedback is just as important - maybe more so - as the outgoing message. This column is only one method for getting the conversation started with you and, indeed, our public at large. Last January, we launched social media pages for our senior leaders. Assistant adjutant general for air Brig. Gen. Todd Kelly, state Command Chief Master Sgt. Bruce Pickett, state Command Sgt. Maj. John Swart, Command Chief Warrant Officer Rick Comer and I all have Facebook and Twitter pages (see our links at the end of this article). I recently launched a video blog that is posted to YouTube and the Defense Visual Information Distribution System (DVIDS). All of this effort allows us to tell you what’s on the collective mind of the North Carolina National Guard. Maybe most importantly, all of these communication methods allow you to react and respond. And I want you to do so. Send me an email. Message me on Twitter. Post a comment to Facebook. Become a part of the dialogue. If you don’t communicate with me, pick one of our other Guard leaders, but make your voice heard. Bottom line, we all must pull together to showcase the extraordinary organization that serves our state and our country so well. So, I hope you will take the time to read this new feature and then take the time to send me some feedback. I’m proud to serve as adjutant general, but that pride doesn’t come from occupying the office. It comes from working with the nearly 12,000 men and women who make up the North Carolina National Guard. You’ve proven you’re up to the task of prosecuting two overseas wars at the same time as well as using your skills to help the people of all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in times of natural disaster. I know you’re up to telling the Guard story even as you prepare for whatever new missions lie ahead. Thanks for being always ready!Always Ready! Ready team!

MG Greg LuskThe Adjutant General

TAG’s Corner

N.C. Assistant Adjutant General Air Brig. Gen. Todd Kellyhttp://facebook.com/NCAirAAGhttp://twitter.com/NCAirAAG

N.C. Senior Enlisted Leader Command Sgt. Maj. John Swarthttp://www.facebook.com/NCCSMhttp://twitter.com/NCSCSM

N.C. Command Chief Warrant Officer Rick Comerhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/NC-Command-Chief-Warrant-Officer/261726843901458http://www.twitter.com/NCCWO

N.C. Command Chief Master Sergeant Chief Master Sgt. Bruce Picketthttp://www.facebook.com/pages/NC-State-Command-Chief-Master-Sergeant/330777956943662http://www.twitter.com/NCCmdChief

TAG email contact: pao@ng.army.mil

http://www.facebook.com/NCAdjutantGeneralhttp://twitter.com/NCTAG

CONTACT INFO

www.ncnga.orgTarheel Guardsman June/July 2012 — Page 3

JUNE/JULY 2012 Volume 46 Number 3

NCNGA:Convention 4-5Legacy Bridge Program 10Educational Foundation Golf Tournament Results 14

NC National Guard:Guard Leaders Visit Deployed Troops 6,7Running to Honor Fallen Comrades 8,9 & 13Len Adams Memorial Golf Tournament 15

Address changes or questions? Call us toll free in NC at

1-800-821-6159 or if out of state, 919-851-3390.

Our email address is ncnga@bellsouth.net and our web site is

www.ncnga.org

TARHEEL GUARDSMANOfficial publication of the North Carolina National Guard Association

Contents:

Deadline for submitting articles to the Tarheel Guardsman:

AUG/SEP issue: 2 July 2012

Send articles/photos to Teri Foster, Editor at the NCNGA (7410 Chapel Hill Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607-5047) or email (terieakes@bellsouth.net)

Officers Executive Council

President Ronnie Honeycutt

Vice PresidentBernie Williford

Past PresidentFisk Outwater

Secretary-TreasurerAdene Tyler

Judge AdvocateRick Fay

ChaplainK. Carl Singley

30th HBCTScott Schnack

Bobby Lumsden130th MEB

Diana StumpfRussell Thorington

60th Troop CommandTom HolcombDale Baker, Jr.

449th TABThomas Underwood

Stephen Davis113th Sustainment BDE

Billy HillStephen McCormick

JFHQ-NCCharlene Johnson

Wes Morrison139th Regiment (CA)

Ronald HillK. Todd Helms

Air GuardWendy LarsenScott Harrell

Associate ClassJohn Sweat, Jr.

Al RoseJunior CouncilLonnie Brooks

Leverne Jackman, Jr.Teri Foster, Editor

The Tarheel Guardsman, (ISSN 10618392) is published six times a year for the Army and Air National Guard of North Carolina, by the North Carolina National Guard Association, 7410 Chapel Hill Road, Raleigh, NC 27607-5047. Periodicals postage paid at Raleigh, NC 27676-9651. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Tarheel Guardsman, 7410 Chapel Hill Road, Raleigh, NC 27607-5047. The Tarheel Guardsman is the official publication of the North Carolina National Guard Association, a non-profit organization. The publica-tion’s mission is to promote the general welfare of the NCNGA, assist in increasing the readiness of the NC Army and Air National Guard of North Carolina and serve as a vehicle of expression for members of the National Guard. Members receive the publication free with their membership. The annual subscription rate for non-members of the Association is $15.00. Please include your old address and unit when requesting change of address. Deadline for submitted material to the Tarheel Guardsman is the 5th of the month, two months preceding the calendar date of issue. Manuscripts and photographs on subjects of general interest are invited. Unless oth-erwise indicated, material may be reprinted provided credit is given to the Tarheel Guardsman and the author where listed. Articles and photos will not be returned, unless requested. (USPS 533-640) Advertising is accepted. For details contact the Association headquar-ters. Advertising, including political ads, published in this publication does not represent the endorsement or approval of the North Carolina National Guard Association.

Raise your flag as we celebrate Flag Day on June 14th and the birth of our country on July 4th!

STAFFExecutive Director

Adene TylerInsurance Administrator

Teri FosterAssistant Insurance Administrator

Rhonda ArndtExecutive Assistant

Kathy FordNCNGA Educational Foundation

AdministratorPeggy Robinson

Tarheel Guardsmanwww.ncnga.orgPage 4 — June/July 2012

The President’s ReportBy President Ronnie Honeycutt

I would ask everyone if they had a good time at our 51st NCNGA Annual Convention but how could you not have enjoyed our event.

Let me explain, we were away from work, had great fellowship, great hospitality rooms, we were at the beach and we accomplished important Association business. With that said, let us hear from you, I am very interested in your input and especially how we can improve. I would like to recognize all who ran for office this year. This is not an easy decision to make and one that I truly recognize. Let’s be honest here, you put your name on the ballot because you cared enough to put your personal concerns aside and your North Carolina National Guard Association appreciates your service before self attitude. It’s what makes our Association so great. So, what are our goals for this coming year? I have shared a detailed account with our incoming and existing Executive Council, what was discussed this time last year, concerning our goals. With the invitation to review and make suggestions of where we are now, and where we want to be this time next year, these are our goals.Junior Enlisted Council (JEC)Support and develop a plan of action for our JEC to work on the issues and address the concerns of our younger force. Now that the Junior Members have a seat at our table,

I am even more excited about the direction and possibilities of our Association.MembershipSome would say that we are doing very well, and we should be satisfied with 82% membership. Our Membership is what gives us the voice that is heard by our Legislators. The larger the membership, the louder OUR VOICE. This is why we need everyone to belong to not only our State Association but our National Associations, EANGUS and NGAUS. FinanceWe must continue the course of financial security and at the same time allow our Association to prosper and grow. This is of course a long term plan of action, but one that we have begun and must continue to travel for the sake of all our Soldiers and Airmen.LegislativeOur goal here is to continue to inform and gain support for our NCNGA State Legislative Action Plan. We also need a greater support of all Legislative alerts from EANGUS and NGAUS. To make this happen we must encourage our Soldiers, Airmen as well as our friends and family to contact their state and federal Legislators. I would first ask you to find out who your Legislators are for where you LIVE and where you DRILL. It does not require a whole lot of conversation, only that you are a constituent within their district and a member of the North Carolina National Guard, and you would like their support. You will find that they want to hear about your experiences as a Guard member and anything they can do to help. Please go to our website (www.ncnga.org) and click on LEGISLATIVE ISSUES. I am very honored to lead our Association for a second term. I promise to keep our Association moving in a direction that is beneficial for all our members. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to let me know.

President Award RecipientsThe President’s Award was created to recog-nize an individual who renders extraordinary service to the Association and the President during the year. One of this year’s recipients is Chaplain Charles Morrison (photo below) for his years of devoted service to the Association as Chaplain for the past four years. Chaplain Mor-

rison has attended almost every Council meeting since his appointment and has done an excellent job of keeping us on the straight and narrow path! The other recipient is Reggie Hill (below, receiving his award from President Honeycutt) for his extraordinary support of the Association. Reg-gie has been involved in the Association for many years and gone above the callof duty in promoting the Association, not ony in his unit, but across the state. He has represented the Association for over 20 years as a Unit Representative, most of those years achieving the Outstanding Unit Representative Award, worked on committees, supported the Education-al Foundation and has always been available to assist the staff when needed. Congratulations to Chaplain Morrison and Reggie Hill, and thank you for all you do!

www.ncnga.orgTarheel Guardsman June/July 2012 — Page 5

Photos by Tori McKoy and Beverly Bizzell

CONVENTION 2012Turnout for the 51st Annual NC National Guard Asso-ciation Convention was very good - approximately 370 members, guests, and exhibitors attended. At the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort and Spa at Grande Dunes, there was a lot of business to conduct and elections were held to elect your 2012-13 Executive Council. (A list of the Officers and Executive Council are on page 3 of this issue - contact information for them is on our website - www.ncnga.org.) Everyone had time to enjoy the sand, surf and sun (when it popped out between the clouds!) during their free time and, in the evenings, there were hospitality rooms, a dance and various other activities for everyone to enjoy in the Myrtle Beach area. Convention 2013 will be something new for all of us, so stay tuned for the date and location in our next issue of the Tarheel Guardsman.

Scenes from our 51st Annual Convention

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CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – Lt. Gen. Bill Ingram, Jr., Director of the Army National Guard, visited the 113th Sus-tainment Brigade and other National Guard units here recently. The trip gave Ingram the opportu-nity to visit and talk with Guardsmen and to see for himself the health and welfare of Army National Guard Sol-diers in Kuwait. Ingram is responsible for formulating, developing and co-ordinating all programs, policies and plans affecting the Army National Guard and its more than 350,000 Citi-zen-Soldiers. His four-day trip began with a visit to the North Carolina Army National Guard’s 113th Sustainment Brigade, where he met commanders, had lunch with troops, and conducted a town hall meeting. The 113th Sustainment Brigade, also known as the Steel Brigade, is deployed here in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The unit is no stranger to Ingram; his previous position was adjutant general of North Caro-lina. Ingram spoke to the unit’s Soldiers after a briefing by Col. David Jones, the brigade com-mander. “It’s wonderful to see old friends and fa-miliar faces, and I am extremely proud of all that the Steel Brigade has achieved,” Ingram said. “Your unit is only three years old, and in that short time you have become one of the premier sustainment brigades in the Army.” “High-level military logisticians in Wash-ington, in Central Command, and in both the regular Army and Reserves know of the 113th Sustainment Brigade and the hard work and assistance you have given in support of the Kuwait mission and Operation Enduring Free-dom,” Ingram added. Ingram attended a town hall meeting host-ed by the Steel Brigade. Most of the soldiers’ questions concerned the future force structure of the National Guard, budget constraints in hard economic times, and the Guard’s success in executing state-level and worldwide mis-sions. Ingram spoke passionately to more than 300 Guardsmen about the sacrifices of Guardsmen who rushed to the aid of fellow

Americans during the devastating tornadoes that struck Joplin, Mo., in May 2011 and Guardsmen who gave their lives to protect innocent civil-ians and fellow comrades in Iraq and Afghanistan. “Your service and professionalism has been monumental to our na-tion,” Ingram said. “You are what every other nation’s soldiers want to be – an American Soldier, and I salute you. “Keep up the good work, continue to make your state and nation proud, and come home safe,” he added. Ingram’s visit here is one of many trips he has taken around the world in recent months to meet with National Guard Soldiers and see first-hand their missions and accomplishments. “I have been in this position for less than one year,” Ingram said. “To do my job effectively, I decided to travel to as many places around the world where there are deployed Guardsmen, and in those travels, speak to as many National Guard commanders and troops deployed in the field as possible, walk on the terrain they walk on, and in so doing these trips will greatly help me during the many Washington debates and policy decisions that lay ahead.”

Director of Army National Guard Visits Camp ArifjanBy Maj. Matt DeVivo, 113th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs

Town Hall Meeting with Soldiers from the 113th SUS BDE and Lt. Gen Bill Ingram, Director of the Army National Guard.

As a member of the NCNGA, you are entitled to discounts from many businesses, nationwide and statewide. Listed be-low are a few of them. If you would like a complete listing, please contact Kathy Ford at 1-800-821-6159, ext. 2.

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Brake & Muffler Express, Inc. — 20% off goods and services. Call POC: James Bowling, Owner (704)532-2000. Located at 6211 Albemarle Road, Charlotte, NC 28212

Did You Know...

www.ncnga.orgTarheel Guardsman June/July 2012 — Page 7

NC Guard Leaders Visit Deployed Soldiers in KuwaitStory and photos by Army Maj. Matt DeVivo, 113th Sustainment Brigade, Public Affairs

The North Carolina Department of the American Legion

Thanks You for Your Service to Our State and Nation!

We invite you to visit any of our 334 Posts, statewide, visit our website

www.nclegion.org, email us at nclegion@nc.rr.com,

or call 919-832-7506.“For God and Country - Still Serving Proudly.”

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Maj. Gen. Greg A. Lusk speaks with Soldiers of the 1452nd Heavy Equip-ment Transport Company from Winston-Salem, NC. 1452nd Soldiers were involved in the last U.S. military convoys out of Iraq in December, 2011.

gade has been well trained, has dedicated leadership at all levels, and is ready for whatever missions come their way,” Swart added. The trip included a tour of Kuwait Naval Base where the 113th SB has four Army logistics vessels, which range from over 100 to 340 feet in length and can transport various types of cargo all across the region. “It’s amazing to realize all of the different missions the Sustain-ment Brigade has to execute, and the vast distances that Brigade Soldiers operate from in order to support military operations across the region,” Lusk said of the 113th SB Soldiers deployed in Kuwait, Qatar,

Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan. “They are making a last-ing impression on the future of logistic support to Kuwait and the war-fighter in Afghanistan.” “It was moti-vating for all the Soldiers from the

Steel Brigade to see Maj. Gen. Lusk and Command Sgt. Maj. Swart from the

North Carolina National Guard,” said Col. David Jones, commander of the 113th Sustainment Brigade. The trip was organized through the Joint Monthly Access for Reserve Components program, which is a USCENTCOM commander-sponsored program that allows both Army Reserve and National Guard leaders to go visit their troops deployed in Kuwait or Afghanistan.

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - The commander and senior enlisted soldier of the North Caro-lina National Guard was in Kuwait recently to visit Soldiers from the 113th Sustainment Bri-gade deployed here. Maj. Gen. Gregory A. Lusk, the Adjutant General, and Command Sgt. Maj. John H. Swart, the state Command Sergeant Major, spent two days in and around Kuwait to meet with mem-bers of the Greensboro-based 113th SB and its subor-dinate units, to include the Winston-Salem based 1452nd Heavy Equipment Transport Company. “Command Sgt. Maj. Swart and I really wanted to come over here and see the 113th Sustainment Brigade and all its Soldiers,” said Lusk. “We wanted to tell them, eye-to-eye, just how proud we are of their hard work and selfless service, and to see for ourselves the broad range of missions that the Sustainment Brigade is undertaking every day to sustain units in Kuwait, Afghanistan, and elsewhere in Central Command’s area of operations." The 113th SB deployed to Kuwait in December 2011. The brigade is a critical logistics command and was involved in the final consolidation and disposition of equipment and resources from Iraq. The brigade also manages the flow of critical resources to US and allied forces in Afghanistan and across Central Com-mand’s area of operations. “This was a great trip,” said Swart. “The majority of our time here was spent talking and visiting with the Soldiers and not in a chair listening to briefs. From town hall meetings to meals with senior [noncommissioned officers], Maj. Gen. Lusk and I had some great conversations and were able to discuss many topics with the troops.” “It’s easy to see that the Steel Bri-

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5/1/2012 - FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) — Walking almost 90 miles, 36 Airmen completed the Air Advisor Memorial Ruck March from New York City to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., April 26-27. The march, which started at the One World Trade Center and ended at the Air Advisor Academy, was in remembrance of the deaths of nine U.S. air advisors in Afghanistan. On the morning of April 27, 2011, an Afghan Air Force lieutenant colonel walked into the Afghan Air Command and Control Center at the Kabul Air Command Headquarters and, without warning or provocation, opened fire, killing eight active-duty U.S. Airmen and a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel. Those nine service members came from various bases and specialties, but were working together for a common mission: advising the Afghan military. “It was a unique situation,” said Lt. Col. J.D. Scott III, the march coordinator and chief of core knowledge at the Air Advisor Academy. “It didn’t happen for a particular base. It didn’t happen for a particular squadron or base or even for a particular (Air Force Specialty Code). “Because of that, remembering their

Team 1 of the Air Advisor Memorial Ruck March makes their way through New York City on April 26, 2012. The approximately 90-mile march, which started at the One World Trade Center and ended at the Air Advisor Academy, was in remembrance of the deaths of nine U.S. air advisors in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen)

Airmen Honor Fallen Air Advisors Through Ruck Marchby Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Rojek, Defense Media Activity, U.S. Air Force

(Continued on page 9)

sacrifice may not have been captured as a whole,” Scott continued. “The individual would have been honored at their base, but the mission of the entire of the team would not have been recognized.” Since all of the nine went through the Air Advisor Academy, Col. John Holm, the academy’s commandant, decided that would be the place to honor their sacrifice as a team, Scott said. Holm made plans to create a physical memorial, but a plethora of obstacles made it impossible to complete the memorial by the one year anniversary of the tragic event. One of the obstacles was funding. Holm and his team came up with idea of a ruck march to both honor the fallen air advisors and act as a fundraiser to help build the physical memorial. Scott was put in charge of organizing the march and, in just two weeks, succeeded in gathering people from Dover AFB, Del., to Eielson AFB, Alaska, for the march. Each marcher knew at least one of the nine fallen air advisors in some way. “Master Sgt. Tara Brown and Maj. Phil Ambard both lived three and four doors down from me in the dorms,” said Tech. Sgt. Brian Christiansen, a photographer with the 145th Airlift Wing in Charlotte, N.C., who was deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan at the same time as the air advisors. “Both were incredibly friendly people. And I met several of them (the morning of the shooting) as I walked into my building and opened the door and they walked out.” Those personal connections to the fallen service members and their families drew the 36 marchers together, Scott said. “They were coming in from all over,” he said. “That’s kind of representative of the nine that we lost. They came from all over the Air Force to serve a single mission as an air advisor. So the marchers that were honoring them came from all over the Air Force to remember them.” Each paid their own way to New York City to honor their fallen friends and show their families that they haven’t forgotten their loved one’s sacrifice. The event also drew in another 14 volunteers to help with everything from transportation to food to health and care coverage. The marchers were broken up into four teams, each set to march three legs of 7.3 miles. During their leg, each marcher carried a ruck sack with a paver stone inside, each stone engraved with the name of a fallen air advisor and to be laid at the memorial on JB McGuire. Holm and his nine-person team kicked off the march at 9:11 a.m. April 26. However, rather than just start off near ground zero, the colonel wanted to do something more for his fallen comrades. “We wanted to honor them by doing something significant, and to me starting at the top of the World Trade Center was it,” Holm said. “We had those ruck sacks on the entire tour. It was all symbolic and important to us in our own personal, different ways. For me, it was probably the biggest single gesture we could do short of opening up (the academy’s) memorial ourselves.”

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Care of Its Own." The SAAF does not receive any funding from the state or federal government. No General Fund appropriations have been made to the fund since 2007. We rely solely on donations from the general public and the proceeds from our license plate. One way you can help our Soldiers, Airmen and their families is by pur-chasing our “In God We Trust” license plate. The plates cost only $30 plus vehicle registration fees, and for each plate sold, a $20 tax-deductible donation is sent to the SAAF. License plates sales are a huge income resource for us and one of the only ways we can help provide for both our Soldiers and Airmen. Last year only 1,600 plates were sold in NC. We would like to double or triple that sales total this year in order to provide the level of assistance our return-ing Guardsmen need to keep serving our state and nation. In order for us to do that we need your support to help. There are currently over 12,000 Soldiers and Airmen serving in the NC Guard who live and work in all 100 counties of our state, not counting retirees... just look at the possibilities. “In uniform or retired, concern and taking care of our Soldiers and Airmen has and will always be a priority,” said Dennis Roach, Director for the Soldiers and Airmen Fund. "This is certainly a great way to demonstrate your support. Power is in numbers and its one caring person at a time making a huge impact on continuing our Soldier and Airmen Assistance Fund to help our families in need."

It’s fast, easy and a great way to show your support of our Guard families. Go to our website www.saaf-nc.com, go to the last page “Make A Contribution” and learn how you can donate to the fund or order the license plate.

“Helping the Guard Take Care of Its Own”Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Fund, Inc. —The fund, established by Colonel Aubrey McClellan, has been helping North Carolina National Guard members and their families coping with extreme difficult situations since 1991. Designed to provide financial assistance to the families of Guardsmen (Soldiers and Airmen) during deployments, it was later expanded to include all National Guard mem-bers-even those not mobilized or deployed. In 2004, the original name, Chaplain’s Fund, was changed to the North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Fund, Inc., approved as a public non-profit 501 (C)(3) charitable organization. Since 9/11, the North Carolina National Guard has deployed nearly 19,000 Soldiers and Airmen. Some of these Guardsmen return from their deploy-ments with financial hardships, and physical or emotional scars which they must address without the benefits of the services and support provided to Active component members on military instal-lations. They often must come to grips with the effects of such conditions as depression, post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, physical injuries, marital problems, unemployment, underemployment, homelessness, and sometimes, even suicide. The Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Fund (SAAF) is dedicated to "Helping the Guard Take

The significance of the march touched a lot of people along the way, starting with the One World Trade Center steel workers, who gave the Airmen a standing ovation as they marched through the structure. Other people along their route also showed their appreciation by stopping to give hugs, encouragement, thanks and even money toward the memorial. As they traveled by foot from New York to New Jersey, state and local police departments provided escort, each district calling the next to inform them of what the Airmen were doing, Holm said. The marchers were even given a chance to rest and eat at the fire departments in both Elizabeth, N.J., and Jersey City, N.J. It was a sign of support of both the Airmen marching and the fallen air advisors, he said. When the fourth team finished their last leg, the marchers were 1.1 miles from the construction site of the Air Advisor Memorial on JB McGuire. All 36 marchers gathered together in formation and made their way through the base gate. What met them there was a surprise to all. “Security forces closed down the road and gave us a police escort in,” Scott said. “There were

numerous amounts of people from the front gate to the memorial lining the street on both sides, just cheering us on in. “The fact that the base community just embraces us and cheered us in on those final steps, it’s very inspiring,” he added. It was an emotional moment for Christiansen as well. He was present at the base when the air advisors were killed and attended their dignified transfer ceremony. However, each person was laid to rest in different locations around the U.S., so he never got to have closure. “You see a road sign right there, ‘McGuire Air Force Base next left,’”Christiansen said. “That’s when it really started to hit in not that we’re all going to do this, but this is for real. We’ve done this for the families, we’ve done this for our fallen brothers and sister. It was pretty easy to get caught up in the emotion there. “The ceremony of laying the bricks down was really powerful,” he added. “It brought some serious closure.” While the ruck march and stone-laying ceremony brought some closure for Christiansen and others, the construction of the memorial itself is still ongoing. However, between the pledges for the marchers, donations received during the march as well as T-shirt and brick sales, Holm estimated that the team has raised almost $10,000 toward the memorial just through this one event. “We have that feeling that we did the right thing just by honoring our comrades, regardless of what money we raised,” Holm said. “That was a tremendous feeling.” The Air Advisor Memorial is scheduled to be unveiled July 27. For more information on the memorial, visit www.airadvisormemorial.com/home/Home.html.

Airmen Honor Fallen Air AdvisorsContinued from page 8

Tarheel Guardsmanwww.ncnga.orgPage 10 — June/July 2012

Legacy Bridge Program

Last year, Active Associate Represen-tative Al Rose introduced a program that is designed to financially carry

the Association through our present fiscal transition period. As we move from a system where we depended on our investments and insurance premiums to pay our Association’s expenses to one that will rely on new rev-enue sources to cover our budget, the Legacy Bridge Program will provide the interim funds to meet budget costs until the transi-tion is complete. Our projection is that this should occur within 2-3 years, and as such it is a closed end program. The short-term plan is to use the income from the Legacy Bridge Program until our new revenue sources come on-line allow-ing us to insulate our investments so that they are allowed to grow over the long-term. At the end of 2-3 years, the new revenue sources, along with insurance premiums, will be our main income sources and the Legacy Bridge Program will close. Long-term, we hope to reach an invest-

NCNGA LEGACY BRIDGE PROGRAM DONATION

Name:

Mailing Address:

City: State: Zip:

Phone: ( ) NCNGA Life Member: Yes No

Unit: Rank:

E-Mail Address:

$100 Donation (Donations are not tax deductible)$25 Quarterly Installments _____ $100 Full Payment __________ Check _____ Money Order _____ Master Card/Visa (Add $2 credit card fee)Credit Card Information:Acct #__________________________________________ Exp Date: ___________ 3-digit Sec Code:__________ Signature: ____________________________________

Return Application & Payment To:

NCNGA ATTN: Legacy Bridge Program7410 Chapel Hill RoadRaleigh, NC 27607-5047

( ) I would like to make this donation in honor of ( ) in memory of ( )

ment fund goal of $3 million. At that point, even at a modest 4%, the Association could survive indefinitely should our insurance and new revenue sources take a hit during lean times. Please consider joining us in the Legacy Bridge Program. And, if you would like to remember or honor someone, please consider making a donation in their name. Take a few minutes to fill out the application and to write a check. Al and his team have started us in the right direction. It is up to us now to make it happen. Questions? Please call us at 919-851-3390.

*As of press time

223. Leonard Harris224. Arnold W. Torbert225. Wayne D. Thurman226. Harold C. Earnhardt227. Johnnie M. Riggan in Memory of “So Many Guard Members and Friends”

*Our Newest Members of the Legacy Bridge Program:

www.ncnga.orgTarheel Guardsman June/July 2012 — Page 11

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait — Its 4:00 a.m. here and in addition to Soldiers working the night shift centers across post, there is another group of dedicated Soldiers working around the clock. That mission is to keep the Soldiers and contractors here fed. “The Steel Brigade’s Zone 6 dining facil-ity (DFAC-6) staff is another group of 113th silent professionals exceeding the standard and exemplifying our brigade motto, ‘One Team, Twice as Strong,’” said Col. David Jones, commander of the 113th SB. While there are other places here where Soldiers can get a meal, the DFAC is the only place where the meals are free and nutrition-ally balanced to ensure all the correct food groups are available. DFAC-6 can feed 6,000 people a day during four separate meal times. The brigade also has Soldiers working at an-other Army dining facility located at the Port of Shuaiba, close to Camp Arifjan. “Midnight chow is one of the best meals served during the day, because it’s quieter and we get a lot of work done preparing for the next day’s meals,” said Sgt. Dontae Lawson, one of the DFAC’s cooks. Midnight chow is served from 11:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. for those who work the night shift or simply wake up wanting a midnight snack. The DFAC staff agrees that being a food service specialist involves more than just taking head counts or cooking. Here, Steel Brigade food specialists prepare foods and help cook them, manage the civilian staff, en-sure hot and cold foods are served according to health and sanitary regulations, and are the customer service representatives on the floor to assist Soldiers with comments or issues during mealtimes. The Food Service Soldiers said their job entails long hours and working closely with the third-country nationals (TCN) working in the DFAC and interacting with Soldiers from every unit on post. More than 100 TCNs work with the 113th’s DFAC-6 crew. Coming from as far away as India and the Philippines, they work closely with their U.S. military counterparts. “They are very nice people,” said Staff Sgt. Jacqueline Griffith, the DFAC’s morning

The Steel Chefs of Camp Arifjan By Spc. Damian Flowers, 113th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs

Steel Brigade food specialists prepare food and cook, but they also manage the TCN staff, ensure hot and cold foods are served within health and sanitary guidelines, and serve as customer service representatives on the floor to assist Soldiers with comments or issues during mealtimes. From left, Sgt. Dontae Lawson, Staff Sgt. Jacqueline Griffith, Spc. Joseph Akers, Spc. Veronica Regis-Jenkins, and Spc. Natalie Isley.

and afternoon shift supervi-sor. “They are hard workers and we have fun working with them.” Spc. Nata-lie Isley, who works the lunch shift, said the staff works hard to get repeat cus-tomers. “Our DFAC does its best to please and keep Sol-diers coming back and want-ing more of our delicious meals,” she said. According to the 113th crew, their DFAC is also well-known for its big holiday events when the staff Soldiers and TCNs deco-rate the inside of the facility with intricately carved foods and hang holiday decorations all across walls and on the tables. The Steel Chefs of the 113th Sustainment Brigade can be counted upon to work hard on the DFAC floor and behind the counters, they said. “We make sure every meal is hot and healthy and is served in a clean, safe environment,” said Griffith.

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Would you like to see your unit in the Tarheel Guardsman? Send your photos and/or article to terieakes@bellsouth.net. We will post it on our web site (www.ncnga.org) and publish it in the next is-sue of the magazine.

Tarheel Guardsmanwww.ncnga.orgPage 12 — June/July 2012

The SEC‘s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy and the North American Securities

Administrators Association recently issued an Investor Alert to warn investors of the potential risks associated with investing through self-directed Individual Retirement Accounts due to recent increases in reports and complaints. While self-directed IRAs can be a safe way to invest retirement funds, investors should un-derstand the added risks. These investments are held by a trustee or custodian who typically has limited duties to investors, and generally will not evaluate the quality or legitimacy of an invest-ment or its promoters. A self-directed IRA permits a broader range of investment opportunities. Traditional IRA cus-todians are banks and broker-dealers that limit the holdings in IRA accounts to firm-approved stocks, bonds, mutual funds and CDs. Custo-dians and trustees for self-directed IRAs may allow investing in retirement funds in other types of assets such as single-family and multi-unit homes, promissory notes, tax lien certificates, structured settlements, joint ventures and private placement securities. While self-directed IRAs offer investors investment opportunities not available through other IRA providers, invest-ments in these kinds of assets may have unique risks that investors should consider: • Possible lack of disclosure and liquidity • Claim or suggestion that custodians investi- Claim or suggestion that custodians investi-Claim or suggestion that custodians investi-gate and validate investment • Scarcity of or unaudited information To protect against fraud with self-directed IRAs:1. Verify information in account statements. 2. Avoid unsolicited self-directed IRA offers. Fraud promoters often attempt to lure investors into transferring money from traditional IRAs and other retirement accounts into new self-directed IRAs.3. Ask questions and check with the Secretary of State Securities Division about the promoter’s registration.4. Be mindful of “guaranteed” returns. All invest- Be mindful of “guaranteed” returns. All invest-Be mindful of “guaranteed” returns. All invest-ments carry some degree of risk. 5. Ask a professional. The more complex invest- Ask a professional. The more complex invest-Ask a professional. The more complex invest-ment opportunity, the more important it is to get a second opinion from a licensed, unbiased in-vestment professional or attorney – especially if it requires creating a new account outside a tra-ditional financial institution or well-recognized broker,

Recent charges filed involving self-directed IRAs include scams invest-ing in medical technologies, real estate and commercial mortgage loans, foreign bonds, day trading, unregistered securities promoted at “free lunch” seminars, and “guaranteed” annual returns of up to 20%. The total stolen exceeded $391 million! As with every investment, investors should undertake their own evaluation of the merits of a proposal, and always check with The Division at 800-688-4507 about the background and history of an investment and its promoters before making that final irreversible decision. For more infor-mation, I recommend checking out the article in the Division’s October 2011 newsletter at http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/sec/newsletter.aspx?Year=2011 and what Investopedia has to say about self-directed IRAs at http://www.investopedia.com/articles/retirement/08/self-directed-real-estate-IRAs.asp#ixzz1rw1UTb8l.

Investor Alert: Self-Directed IRAs and the Risk of Fraud By Barbara Bennett, Investor Education Specialist, NC Secretary of State Securities Division

Corporate Members - Thank you for your participation!

www.ncnga.orgTarheel Guardsman June/July 2012 — Page 13

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - As the hot sun began to rise above the horizon here April 1, a 10-mile road race was about to begin. On the other side of base, a lone runner pushed herself harder and faster around the desert outpost to finish her 24-hour quest: 100 miles in remem-brance of fellow North Carolinians who have died in the war on terror. That lone runner was Sgt. 1st Class Rita Rice from Sanford, NC, stationed here with the North Carolina Army National Guard’s 113th Sustainment Brigade. Rice’s race was differ-ent. Not only was it ten times longer, but traffic wasn’t stopped for her. T-shirts and medals were not handed out, and the only cheers and recogni-tion along the way were a few high fives and pats on the back from Soldiers who took turns running with her. Those who ran a lap or two with Rice said they felt honored to share the road with her. “It’s awesome,” said Sgt 1st Class Lee Klimala. “Her superhuman ability and can-do attitude is contagious.” Rice trains and participates in endurance races more than 26.2 miles long, the length of a marathon. But her running skills didn’t de-velop overnight; it took many years for Rice to become the runner she is today. In 2006, she began to slowly pound the pavement and shady wooded trails of North Carolina to keep up with her twin daughters once they started run-ning track at school. “It was a good excuse for me to get back in shape and to be with my girls and bond,” Rice said. “It was hard at first, but well worth it.” “I had not run seriously for almost four-teen years since my days in the 82nd [Airborne Division], but my family and friends kept me motivated,” she said. Over the following months, Rice was able

to complete a two-mile run, a four-mile run, a 10-miler, and before long, she completed her first marathon in 2007. The major change in her attitude towards running and her desire not to quit came when a close neighborhood friend, Special Forces Chief Warrant Officer 2 Scott Dyer, was killed in Afghanistan in late 2006, she said. After the news of her friend’s death,

Rice wanted to honor his service, and decided that running was a healthy and challenging way to do it. Rice gives credit to her running mentor, Lt. Col.

Mike McNeill. McNeill, a Special Forces officer, motivated Rice, help-ing her to get past the mental challenges of running long distances and eventually taught her how to enjoy the experience of running. Since then, the 113th SB Soldier has completed five marathons, mul-tiple endurance races, and other fun runs that can challenge the average person both mentally and physically. Those who talk to Rice about her accomplishments might get the chance to hear some of her inspiring personal mottos (or, “rules accord-ing to Rice”). “My rules are: ‘live life to its fullest; set challenging goals for your-self and maybe it will inspire others to also go for it, dream big dreams; never quit; and never forget those who gave their lives so that we may enjoy ours,’” said Rice. While Rice was congratulated by others on the morning of her 100-mile run, one Soldier went out of his way to personally recognize the “Steel Runner.” “Rice is the definition of a 113th Sustainment Brigade ‘Steel Soldier’ whose determination to succeed inspires others and makes the whole unit ‘twice as strong,’” said Col. David Jones, the 113th Sustainment Brigade commander. “But above all else, she’s proud to be an American Soldier, serving her country, and honoring our fallen heroes.”

Staff Sgt. Samuel Joyce of the 113th Sustainment Brigade runs a few laps with Sgt. 1st Class Rita “Missy” Rice during Rice’s 100-mile run around Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, April 1. Each lap around the base was approximately seven miles. Rice dedicated her race to fallen comrades from North Carolina (photo by Sgt. 1st Class Keith Warzon, 113th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs).

Steel Runner — Sgt. 1st Class Rita Rice Runs 100 miles in Honor of Fallen Comrades from North CarolinaBy Maj. Matt DeVivo and Sgt. 1st Class Lee Klimala, 113th Sustainment Brigade

Scholarship recipient list and In Memoriam list will be published in the August/September issue of the Tarheel Guardsman.

Tarheel Guardsmanwww.ncnga.orgPage 14 — June/July 2012

Amtech CorporationBAE Systems Land & Armaments Operating GroupBeacon Ridge Golf ClubBentwinds Golf ClubBojanglesCarolina Hurricanes HockeyCarolina Mudcats BaseballCharlotte Knights BaseballDick's Sporting GoodsDurham Bulls BaseballGolf GalaxyHarris Teeter

This tournament would not have been nearly so successful without the support of the various sponsors. As you come into contact with any of them, please let them know how much we appreciate their support. Here is a list of sponsors:

Also, we had 10 hole spon-sors that added to both the success of the tournament, and the funds raised for the Foundation. Let them know your thanks also. Here is a list of the hole sponsors:

HootersKrispy Kreme DonutsLone Star SteakhouseLong Horn SteakhouseLowe’s Motor SpeedwayNational Hockey LeagueOutback SteakhousePinewild Golf clubRaytheonRiver Landing Golf ClubStanley VidmarTalamore Golf ClubTanglewood Golf Club

NCNGA Educational Foundation Golf TournamentBy Terry Westbrook, Fund-Raising Chairman

The 2012 version of this golf tournament is over, and the

winner, once again, is: the NCNGA Education Foundation. We raised over $4000.00 for this organization to give out in scholarships. The tournament was held at Black Bear Golf Club in Longs, South Carolina on April 19, 2012. We had 80 golfers that made up 20 teams. The weather was slightly chilly, but nothing our golfers couldn’t handle. There were prizes for the winning teams, and individual prizes for closest to the pin and longest drive. Additionally, there were numerous door prizes, so just about everyone won something. Thanks again for the great turnout, and we hope to see you next year!

The Winners:

Team/individual Winners1st place Lee Ezzell, Hank Thomas, Johnny Henson, Mike Oliver2nd place Ronnie Fields, Joey Knox, Mike Bush, Mike Allen3rd place Travis Hubbard, Jay Kucyk, Chuck Brame, Tom Bullock4th place Charles Jackson, Dennis Roach, David Dunmyre, Terry WestbrookNext to last place Neal Nethery, Jamie Robinson, Mike Frazier, Reggie HillLast place Todd Kelly and Jim LottLongest drive, hole #2 Mike OliverLongest drive, hole #15 Chris McCurryClosest to the pin, hole #3 Chuck BarnesClosest to the pin, hole #6 Lee EzzellClosest to the pin, hole #13 Daryl PoeClosest to the pin, hole #16 Larry TerrellPutting contest Bernie Williford

Also, we were able to auction off four Odyssey putters. We raised over $150 for these.

MG Greg LuskBG Beth AustinBG Todd KellyDolan Pierce Grading & Septic ServiceMedthink CommunicationsMike & Ginger AnnasSouthern ReimageStanley Vidmar Stoney Creek Golf ClubTarheel Tooling

Texas SteakhouseThe Carolina at PinehurstThe Pinehurst CompanyTournament Players Course – Piper GlenTwin City KnittingWhispering Pines Golf ClubWhispering Woods Golf ClubWoodlake Golf Club

Golfers listen to last minute instructions before beginning the tournament. (Photo by COL (Ret) Charles Jackson)

Dennis Roach and other golfers register for NCNGA Educational Foundation Golf Tournament.

www.ncnga.orgTarheel Guardsman June/July 2012 — Page 15

The 505th Engineer Battalion hosted the 5th annual Len Adams Memorial Scholarship Fund golf tournament fundraiser on 02

April 2012 in honor of SFC Danny D. Hunter, MAJ Wayne Jenkins, and MSG Jamie Robinson for their recent retirements from the NCARNG. Many retirees, co-workers, and friends gathered at the River Oaks Golf Club in Statesville to honor these Soldiers’ service to the NCNG and their support of the NCNGAEF. Proceeds from this tournament will benefit the North Caro-lina National Guard Association Educational Foundation (NCNGAEF). A $1500 donation ($500 each) will be made to the NCNGAEF Endowment Fund in honor of Hunter, Jenkins, and Robinson to purchase three bricks in the NCNGAEF Walk of Honor at Joint Forces Headquarters in Raleigh. $1000 was raised for the 505ECB’s annual donation to the Len Adams

Memorial Scholarship. Remaining funds raised will go to the NCNGAEF Endowment Fund. SFC Danny D. Hunter, MAJ Wayne Jenkins, and MSG Jamie Robinson were all also awarded the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal at an awards dinner following the match. The awards were presented by previous recipients of the award - CSM (Ret) Mike Frazier, SFC (Ret) Al-len ‘Buckethead’ Price, and SGM Paul Terry. We were honored to have members of Len Adams’ family in attendance at this year’s tour-nament. Len Adams’ son, Brandon Adams, and his mother, Jana, attended the tournament and

Len’s two brothers, Bobby Adams and Brad Adams played in the tourna-ment. Twenty-One teams turned out to support the tournament in honor of Hunter, Jenkins, and Robinson’s retirements. Congratulations to the First Place Team of Dale Beatty, George Campbell, Ken Church, and Garrett Garland. The last place team was awarded the traditional bobble-head tro-phies - Timothy Bates, Jamey Helms, Paul Terry, & Tod Thames. Purple Heart Home’s was also represented at this year’s tournament by Curtis Burk and Dale Beatty. All tournament participants were very happy to donate to their cause for the op-portunity to launch a golf ball with their modified AR-15 rifle. Some participants even remarked that they had their best shot of the day on hole #4 with the AR-15. Thanks to the hole sponsors for this year’s tournament: Bravo Co 113th STB, “MAMA T” (Teresa Johnson), D.J. Steve (Steve Lusk),

MAJ Frank Poovey, CSM (Ret) Mike Frazier, CSM Russell Stalvey, SGM Paul Terry, MSG Donnie Mote, MSG Reggie Hill, 621st Engr Det (Design & Survey) – Gastonia, 823rd Engr Det (Quarry Team) – Elkin, 875th Engr Co (Horiz) – North Wilkes-boro, HHC 505th Engr Bn – Gastonia, 878th Engr Co (Vert) – Kings Mountain, Det 1 878th Engr Co (Vert) – Forest City, 882nd Engr Co (Vert) – Mocksville,

Det 1 882nd Engr Co (Vert) – Taylorsville, Det 2 882nd Engr Co (Vert) – Mount Airy, Co A FSC 505th Engr Bn – Gastonia, 1131st Engr

Det (Well Drillers) – Mooresville, and the 258th, 429th, & 725th Engr Dets - Butner. Thanks to the sponsors of the tournament – Hooters of Hickory, Standard Distributors of Gastonia, Home Place of Lincolnton, Golf Galaxy and Golfsmith A special thanks to Michael Sherrill for executing another great fund raising event for the NCNGAEF and the Len Adams Memorial Scholarship.

5th Annual NCNGAEF Golf Fundraiser for the Len Adams Memorial Scholarship Fund By Reggie Hill

Visit our website at www.ColumbiaSouthern.edu/Disclosure for information about gainful employment including cost of attendance, on-time graduation rates, occupational opportunities, median student debt and other important information about CSU programs.

Visit Our Website for More Information!

www.ColumbiaSouthern.edu/Mil Contact Mr. Tracy A. Driver, BSBA

800.977.8449 ext. 1845

Why CSU?

Online Degrees. Affordable Tuition. Superior Service.

• AccreditedAssociate,Bachelor,Master and Doctorate Programs• Self-PacedorStructuredLearning• TextbooksProvidedThrough CSUBookGrant• NoACT,SAT,GMAT,GREor OtherEntranceExamsRequired• ComplimentaryTutoringServices• TAandVABenefits• MemberofSOC,GoArmyEdLOISchool andAU-ABCProgram• ComplimentaryEvaluationProvided forMilitaryPersonnelandDependents• NoApplicationFee

Pictured (Left to right) - SFC Danny D. Hunter, MSG Jamie Robinson, and Wayne Jenkins were honored for their retirement from the NCARNG and their support of the NCNGAEF. (They are pictured with a tournament hole sponsorship sign for Company B 113th STB, unit is currently deployed.) (Photo by Tony Strickland)

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2012 NCNGA Discount Ticket Order Form Carowinds/Kings Dominion — Valid at either park - $32.00 for ages 3 & up. (Carowinds opens March 31: Kings Dominion opens April 6)

Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park Adult Tickets-$26.00 for anyone over 48” tall.(Park open May 26 - Sept. 3)

Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe Junior Tickets - $18.00 for anyone under 48” tall. *Tickets can also be ordered online at www.emeraldpointe.com. Call NCNGA for Corporate Code.**

Busch Garden’s Military Appreciation Days - Valid March 24 Through Sept. 3 Only Tickets $42.00 for ages 3 & up.

Water Country USA - Tickets $33.00 for ages 3 & up. Park open May 19 through Sept. 3.

Busch Gardens/Water Country 7 Day Discoverty Ticket - Tickets $78.00. Valid March 24 - October 28, 2012. Two-Park combination ticket, expires 7 days from first day of use.

*ANHEUSER-BUSCH “HERE’S TO THE HEROES” TRIBUTE Single Day’s FREE Admission to Anheuser-Busch Parks for active military & 3 direct dependants. Register online @ www.herosalute.com or at the park entrance plaza with DOD photo ID.

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Make checks or money order payable to NCNGA.A fee of $23 will be charged for any check returned due toinsufficient funds or a check written on a closed account. If checks remain unpaid, Commanders will be notified. Credit Card Information: Account #_____________________________________________________

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