Elected officials and North Dakota National Guard leaders pose with the U.S. Flag at a welcome home ceremony for the 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment (EUD) in recognition of the unit’s overseas duty, Devils Lake, N.D., Aug. 19, 2022. From left, Sgt. 1st Class Charles Holzer, 835th EUD first sergeant; Capt. Justin Johnson, 835th EUD commander; Sen. John Hoeven; Rep. Kelly Armstrong; Devils Lake Mayor Jim Moe; Gov. Doug Burgum; Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota adjutant general; and Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, North Dakota National Guard senior enlisted leader.
Best Warrior Competition
This week the N.D. Army National Guard kicked off its annual Best Warrior Competition (BWC) at Camp Grafton Training Center, near Devils Lake, N.D. The BWC is a competition which evaluates participants in a myriad of Soldier tasks and skills, both physical and mental. (National Guard story by Officer Candidate Michaela C.P. Granger, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The BWC will run from Aug. 18 to Aug. 22 and features 28 N.D. Guard participants and for the first time ever, two Ghanaian Armed Forces (GAF) Soldiers from our partner nation Ghana. There are two categories, non-commissioned officer (NCO) and Soldier. The GAF Soldiers are competing in the NCO category.
Winners of each category will represent the N.D. National Guard when they advance to Region VI BWC.
Check back in next week's TAG Line for a complete account of the 2023 BWC.
835th Engineers Honored at Welcome Home Ceremony
Community members and elected officials joined members of the North Dakota National Guard in honoring 53 Soldiers and their Families at a welcome home ceremony today at Burdick Arena in Devils Lake. The ceremony recognized the accomplishments of the Devils Lake-based 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment and demonstrated appreciation of the Families and employers for their support during their recent overseas mission. (National Guard story and photos by Capt. Vanessa Lennick, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
Gov. Doug Burgum, commander-in-chief of the North Dakota National, Sen. John Hoeven, Rep. Kelly Armstrong, Devils Lake Mayor Jim Moe joined Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota adjutant general and other senior Guard leaders in honoring the Soldiers.
More online at: Community Gathers to Honor Guard Engineers for Overseas Service.
Community members, friends, Families and Soldiers of the 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment sit in the stands at Burdick Arena in Devils Lake during the unit's welcome home ceremony, Aug. 19, 2022.
Leaders of the 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment (EUD) present the North Dakota state flag the unit carried on their overseas mission at their welcome home ceremony in recognition of their overseas duty, Devils Lake, N.D., Aug. 19, 2022. From left, Sgt. 1st Class Charles Holzer, 835th EUD first sergeant; Capt. Justin Johnson, 835th EUD commander; Gov. Doug Burgum; Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota adjutant general; and Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, North Dakota National Guard senior enlisted leader.
Military Appreciation Night
Almost 1,000 Airmen and Soldiers of the North Dakota National Guard and their Families were among the crowd of about 4,000 participating in a celebration of their service during Military Appreciation Night at the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks baseball game held at Newman Outdoor Field, Fargo N.D., Aug. 16, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by David Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs Office)
Tech. Sgt. Jacob Bernhardt, 119th Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance Group, throws out the first pitch during Military Appreciation Night at the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks baseball game, Newman Outdoor Field, Fargo, N.D., Aug. 16, 2022.
The Military appreciation event was hosted by the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber jointly with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks baseball club.
Lt. Col. Robert Davidson, N.D. Air National Guard, microphone, administers the oath of enlistment to recent enlistees in various branches of the U.S. Military, including members of the N.D. Air and Army National Guard, during a commitment ceremony at the Military Appreciation Night, Newman Outdoor Field, Fargo, N.D., Aug. 16, 2022.
“I’ve been to a lot of Military appreciation events over the years, and this is the gold standard for Military appreciation events,” said Dohrmann during his remarks.
N.D. National Guard Soldiers from left to right 2nd Lt. Ceyenne Walton, 2nd Lt. Reily Altenberg, 2nd Lt. Emma Steffens, Officer Candidate Thomas Geary, 2nd Lt. James Moffet, 2nd Lt. Donte Stevens and Capt. Ben Jerchorek salute during the National Anthem at Military Appreciation Night at the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks baseball game, Newman Outdoor Field, Fargo, N.D., Aug. 16, 2022.
“I encourage everyone here, whether you’re in uniform or not in uniform, to continue telling the Military story, because we need more great young Americans to come join our ranks,” added Dohrmann.
ESGR Boss Lift
Seventeen Grand Forks and Minot employers of N.D. National Guard members experienced what its like to be a Guardsman first-hand during a Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Boss Lift to Minot Air Force Base, Minot, Aug. 10, 2022. (National Guard story by Rob Keller, ESGR Volunteer) (National Guard photos by retired Master Sgt. Paul Stroklund, ESGR volunteer)
Employers from Grand Forks traveled to Minot aboard a N.D. Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
Boss Lift participants wait for their flight to begin on a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at the Avflight facility, Grand Forks, N.D., Aug. 10, 2022.
The Department of Defense established the ESGR program in 1972 in order to promote cooperation and understanding between employers and their reserve component service members employees. The Boss Lift program allows employers to ride aboard military aircraft and experience military training and environment to improve their awareness of their employees' service.
Grand Forks and Minot employers participating in the ESGR Boss Lift greet each other during a tour of the Minot Air Force Base, Minot, Aug. 10, 2022.
The employers gathered at Minot Air Force Base, to learn about the N.D. Air National Guard's 219th Security Force Squadron's mission. They received an operations briefing and watched a unit exercise.
Employers on the Boss Lift included Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski; retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Nelson, Grand Forks Police Chief; Minot Mayor Tom Ross; John Klug, Minot Police Chief; Black Gold Farms; Minnkota Power Co-op; Retrax Holdings LLC; True North Equipment; WDAY TV; Circle Sanitation; Minot Area Chamber CEO; Minot State University and Task Force 21.
Major Greg Goodman, 219th Security Forces commander, briefs Grand Forks and Minot employers participating in the ESGR Boss Lift, Minot Air Force Base, Minot, N.D., Aug. 10, 2022.
Not only is good employer support important for the well-being of National Guard and Reserve component members they employ, it’s also important for emergency readiness at the state and local level as well as the nation’s military readiness.
N.D. Army Guard Aviators Conduct Flyover of Babe Ruth World Series
Two N.D. Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conducted a flyover in support of the Babe Ruth World Series, Aug. 13, 2022. (National Guard story by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The aircraft based in Bismarck, stopped for fuel at the Williston Basin International Airport before executing the flyover at about 11 a.m. over Ardean Aafedt Stadium in conjunction with the tournament's opening ceremony. Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, was invited to address the crowd via the stadium's video scoreboard.
Two N.D. Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters approach Ardean Aafedt Stadium for a flyover in support of the Babe Ruth World Series' opening ceremony, Williston, N.D., Aug. 13, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Laura Ludlum)
One of two N.D. Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters performing a flyover above Ardean Aafedt Stadium during the Babe Ruth World Series' opening ceremony, Williston, N.D., Aug. 13, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Laura Ludlum)
Military and Veterans Monument
Burleigh County held a dedication ceremony for a Military and Veterans monument, in Bismarck, N.D. Aug. 18, 2022. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The memorial was placed in front of the Burleigh County courthouse in downtown Bismarck and was paid for by private donors in recognition of the many residents of the county who have selflessly served the Nation in uniform.
Mark Landis, Veterans Service Officer, explained the meaning behind the new memorial during a dedication ceremony in Bismarck, N.D. Aug. 18, 2022.
Retiree Conference
Members of the N.D. National Guard Retiree Advisory Board (RAB) gathered online and at Fraine Barracks on Aug. 16, 2022. (National Guard story and photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
Chaired by the deputy adjutant general, Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, the RAB's role is to advise senior Guard leaders and execute the annual Retiree Appreciation Days (formerly Retiree Reunion Weekend) at Camp Grafton Training Center. However, the specific reason for this meeting was to discuss re-structuring of the RAB. Led by retired Col. Greg Wilz, discussions led to several important initiatives. The restructure proposals will be presented to the adjutant general for his approval and are expected to be announced October 2022.
Recognition
Maj. Abe Storms, right, was presented the Army Commendation Medal with "C' device at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Aug. 14, 2022. The award recognized Storm’s outstanding achievements between July 21, 2021, and Oct. 4, 2021 during his deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve while assigned to Task Force Medical 9. The award was presented by Col. Stacey Smith, commander of the N.D. Army National Guard state Medical Detachment. (National Guard photo by Capt. Vanessa Lennick, N.D. National Guard Visual Information)
N.D. Veterans Cemetery to Mark 30th Anniversary
The North Dakota Veterans Cemetery will observe its 30th anniversary with a formal ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022. (National Guard story and photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
The ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. and is scheduled to feature retired Maj. Gen. Alexander P. Macdonald as the keynote speaker. Macdonald was the adjutant general during the development and construction of the cemetery. The cemetery opened for interment on July 6, 1992.
Headstone of U.S. Army Pvt. John A. Murray, North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. Murray was reinterred on Aug. 18, 1992 from a cemetery in Sheridan County, N.D. soon after the cemetery became operational. He's the only American Civil War Veteran buried at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.
Please include contact information if a response is requested.
Click to receive an email whenever a new TAG Line is published.