MOAA Helps to Honor Outstanding Military Family Readiness Groups
(PRWEB) February 26, 2016 -- Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, president and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), joined the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Reserve Affairs) and chiefs of the National Guard and Reserve in honoring seven outstanding military family readiness organizations during the DoD Reserve Family Readiness Award ceremony Friday in the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon.
The DoD Reserve Family Readiness Award, established in 2000, annually recognizes the top unit in each reserve component for its outstanding programs that support unit missions and family readiness.
The ceremony began with opening remarks from Stephanie Barna, the principal deputy assistant secretary of defense (manpower and reserve affairs) and a retired U.S. Army Reserve colonel, whose remarks centered on the significant impact family readiness has on mission readiness. She recognized special guests Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Ill., and Gen. Frank J. Grass, chief, National Guard Bureau, and his wife, Patricia.
Atkins addressed the audience by thanking Barna for the privilege to recognize on behalf of MOAA the outstanding contributions of the family readiness groups. “We are here today to recognize that group of superstars who give so much to the families of our American heroes — the men and women of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Guard, Coast Guard and Reserve,” said Atkins “With your unselfish contributions, you’ve made the lives of those you serve with a little less daunting, allowed our heroes to truly focus on the mission and made America better.”
Each organization received an engraved commemorative plaque presented by Barna and a signed certificate of appreciation and a cash reward from Atkins. This is the 11th year MOAA has given a monetary award intended to assist with enhancement of family support programs.
The units recognized this year for outstanding efforts to build support networks for Guard and Reserve families are
• Army National Guard — Headquarters Company, 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Normal, Ill.
Unit Commander: Capt. Jera Muder
• U.S. Army Reserve — Forward Support Company, 980th Engineer Battalion, Austin, Texas
Unit Commander: Capt. Michael Davis
• U.S. Marine Corps Reserve — Combat Logistics Battalion 453, Aurora, Colo.
Unit Commander: Lt. Col. Michael Wendler
• U.S. Navy Reserve — Navy Operational Support Center North Island, San Diego
Unit Commander: Capt. Michael Joyner
• Air National Guard — 157th Air Refueling Wing, Pease ANGB, N.H.
Unit Commander: Col. Peter Sullivan
• U.S. Air Force Reserve — 934th Airlift Wing Airman and Family Readiness Center, Minneapolis
Unit Commander: Lt. Col. Kristiana Gerdes
• U.S. Coast Guard Reserve — Port Security Unit 308, Kiln, Miss.
Unit Commander: Cmdr. Ronzelle Green
Improved family readiness programs and command emphasis help prepare Guard and Reserve families to support their service members in the performance of their duties.
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About MOAA:
Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is the nation’s largest officers association with more than 390,000 members from every branch of service, including active duty, retired, National Guard, Reserve, and former officers and their families and survivors. MOAA is a nonprofit and politically nonpartisan organization and an influential force in promoting a strong national defense. MOAA represents the interests of service members and their families in every stage of their lives and careers, and for those who are not eligible to join MOAA, Voices for America’s Troops is a nonprofit MOAA affiliate that supports a strong national defense. For more information, visit http://www.moaa.org or http://www.voicesfortroops.org/.
MOAA Communications (Public Relations), Military Officers Association of America, +1 (703) 838-0545, [email protected]
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