TAG Line December 17, 2021

Top photo: Major General Al Dohrmann, N.D. adjutant general, applauds Jon Erickson moments after his promotion to brigadier general, Dec. 10, 2021, at the Raymond J. Bohn armory in Bismarck. (National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

N.D. Guard's LCC commander promoted

The commander of the N.D. National Guard's Land Component Command (LCC), Jon Erickson, was promoted to brigadier general at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, Dec. 10, 2021, during a ceremony witnessed by family, friends, and fellow Guard members. The N.D. adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, presided over the ceremony. (National Guard story by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs)

Promotions to the general officer rank are reserved for only the highest leadership positions within the U.S. Army. Erickson, who assumed command of the LCC on Nov. 20, 2021, has served on active duty and in the National Guard for over 27 years.

"Congratulations to Jon Erickson on this well-earned promotion to general officer," said Gov. Doug Burgum, commander in chief of the N.D. National Guard. "This promotion and command of our Guard Soldiers clearly demonstrates the trust and level of responsibly placed in him by the National Guard. His service to the citizens of our state is greatly appreciated.”

Jon Erickson's wife Janelle places a single star on his uniform representing the rank of brigadier general during his promotion ceremony, at the Raymond J. Bohn armory in Bismarck, N.D., Dec. 10, 2021. (National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

In addition to commanding 3,000 N.D. Guard Soldiers of the Land Component Command, Erickson will continue to serve as the full-time director of joint staff for the N.D. National Guard.

Brigadier General Jon Erickson is congratulated by Maj. Stan Brown at his promotion ceremony, Dec. 10, 2021, at the Raymond J. Bohn armory in Bismarck, N.D.

Brigadier General Jon Erickson addresses the audience at his promotion ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, Dec. 10, 2021.

Brigadier General Jon J. Erickson is congratulated by Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, deputy adjutant general for the N.D. National Guard at his promotion ceremony, Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, Dec. 10, 2021.

SPP Bilateral Affairs officers announced

U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and National Guard Bureau (NGB) have agreed to fund Bilateral Affairs positions in support of advancing security cooperation efforts within West Africa in support of the N.D. National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP). (National Guard story and photos by Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, director, State Partnership Program)

The N.D. National Guard will enhance the existing partnerships by embedding N.D. Air National Guard officers in the U.S. Embassies in Benin and Togo. The success of the SPP also relies on the N.D. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen who have leveraged their time and experience by conducting relevant engagements with the N.D. Guard's state partners.

Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, right, director of the N.D. National Guard State Partnership meets with U.S. and Togolese representatives at the U.S. Embassy in Lomé, Togolese Republic., Dec. 8, 2021. From left, Robert Dedzi, U.S. Embassy employee; Hainer Sibrian, deputy political officer, U.S. Embassy; Lt. Col. Ably, director of Togo's non-commissioned officer academy, and McEvers. (National Guard photo by Maj. Jarrod Simek)

The Department of State has approved a non-commissioned officer (NCO) Academy Curriculum Development for the Togolese Armed Forces. The Department of State requested the N.D. National Guard's support the training and development of the Togolese schoolhouse, located near the city of Atakpame, approximately 3 hours north of the capital Lome.

Major Jarred Simek, bilateral affairs officer (BAO) for Ghana, Togo, and Benin assesses the grounds of a U.S. Embassy residence in Lomé, Togo. Dec. 9, 2021. The incoming BAOs will have the opportunity to bring a limited amount of their furniture, belongings and clothes to their assigned post.

Major Jarrod Simek, bilateral affairs officer, left, Mr. Dan Seller, U.S. African Command J-5 deputy, center, discuss their program with teachers in Cotonou, Benin, Dec. 8, 2021. The photo depicts a typical geography classroom.

Eagle Flight

The N.D. National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion (RRB) hosted Eagle Flight for the fiscal year 2022 at Camp Grafton Training Center, Dec. 3 to 5, 2021.

Eagle Flight offers Soldiers the opportunity to learn about the different commissioning programs the N.D. Army National Guard has to offer. Options include Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), Officer Candidate School (OCS), Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS), or direct commissions via specialty branches like Medical, Chaplain, and Judge Advocate General Corps.

From top clockwise: Lt. Col. Barbara Lowe, Officer Candidate School battalion commander, answers questions about the program from an N.D. Guardsman at Eagle Flight at Camp Grafton Training Center, Dec. 4, 2021. Warrant Officer Richard Blumler, Recruiting and Retention Battalion Officer Strength Manager, talks to a potential candidate. Command Sgt. Maj. Derek Heck, state command sergeant major, discusses the program to N.D. National Guard Soldiers who are interested in one of the officer programs.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Dan Fitzner, Recruiting and Retention Battalion Warrant Officer strength manager, gives a presentation about the warrant officer program during Eagle Flight at Camp Grafton Training Center, Dec. 4.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Daniel Fitzner, Recruiting and Retention Battalion (RRB) Warrant Officer Strength Manager, and Warrant Officer Richard Blumler, RRB Officer Strength Manager, talk to potential candidates during Eagle Flight at Camp Grafton Training Center, Dec. 4, 2021.

Lieutenant Colonel Barbara Lowe, Officer Candidate School (OCS) battalion commander, gives an overview of OCS during Eagle Flight at Camp Grafton Training Center, Dec. 4, 2021.

Officer Candidate Jordan Becker, center, a candidate in the Officer Candidate School, talks about his experience in the program during Eagle Flight at Camp Grafton Training Center, Dec. 4, 2021.

Hooligans Home for the Holidays

Happy Hooligans Staff Sgt. Calvin Nordsletten and Tech. Sgt. Andrew Rohrich were greeted by friends and family as they returned home to Hector International Airport, Fargo, N.D., Dec. 15, 2021. (National Guard story and photos by Chief Master Sgt. David Lipp, 119th Wing)

The Hooligans completed a 6-month deployment to southwest Asia. This was the first time Rohrich has seen his daughter in person. Welcome home Airmen!

Technical Sergeant Andrew Rohrich picks up his daughter for the first time at the Hector International Airport, Fargo, N.D., Dec. 15, 2015. Rohrich's daughter was born while he was on his six month deployment.

Chief Master Sergeant Chris Andvik, 119th Wing command chief, right, greets Tech. Sgt. Andrew Rohrich upon his return from a six-month deployment to southwest Asia at the Hector International Airport, Fargo, N.D., Dec. 15, 2021.

Staff Sergeant Calvin Nordsletten walks with his friend at the Hector International Airport, Fargo, N.D., Dec. 15, 2021. Nordsletten returned from a 6-month deployment to southwest Asia.

Veterans Home christmas

N.D. National Guard members visited Veterans and spouses at the N.D. Veterans Home in Lisbon, Dec. 9, 2021. For over 20 years, N.D. Guard members collect and deliver gifts and spread holiday cheer at the home. (Photos and story by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

This annual responsibility rotates between the N.D. Army National Guard and Air National Guard components. Service members sang Christmas carols, talked, and assisted residents in opening their gifts.

N.D. Guard Members pull a cart of presents down a hallway at the N.D. Veterans Home in Lisbon, N.D. Dec. 9, 2021.

Specialist Makenzie Kotchman, 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, shows a Veteran a brand new pair of sweatpants at the N.D. Veterans Home in Lisbon, N.D., Dec. 9, 2021.

Service Members speak with a resident during the annual holiday visit at the N.D. Veterans Home in Lisbon, N.D., Dec. 9, 2021.

Staff Sergeant Samantha Cox, 142nd Engineer Battalion, speaks with a resident at the N.D. Veterans Home in Lisbon, N.D. Dec. 9, 2021.

Command Sergeant Major Derek Heck, N.D. Army National Guard state command sergeant major, visits with residents of the N.D. Veterans Home, Lisbon, Dec. 9, 2021.

First Lieutenant Amanda Tang, 142nd Engineer Battalion, speaks with a resident at the N.D. Veterans Home, Lisbon, N.D., Dec. 9, 2021.

N.D. National Guard Soldiers distribute holiday gifts at the N.D. Veterans Home in Lisbon, Dec. 9, 2021.

Staff Sergeant Kacey Hawkins, 142nd Engineer Battalion, listens to a Veteran during at the N.D. Veterans Home, Lisbon, Dec. 9, 2021.

The Wreaths Have Arrived

Since 2006, the members of the Bismarck Composite Squadron of the N.D. Civil Air Patrol (CAP) have facilitated the annual Wreaths Across America (WAA) event at the N.D. Veterans Cemetery, six miles south of Mandan, N.D. (Photos and story by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Volunteers transfer boxes of wreaths from a semi-tractor trailer into smaller trailers, Dec.16, 2021. The wreaths are intended for use in the Wreaths Across America event scheduled for Dec. 18, 2021, at the N.D. Veterans Cemetery.

About 7,700 wreaths arrived on two semi-tractor trailers this week. The wreaths were transferred to smaller trailers and will be transported to the N.D. Veterans Cemetery on the day of the event.

The mission of Wreaths Across America is to remember our fallen U.S. Veterans and to honor those who served during the holiday season.

Volunteers move boxes of wreaths from a semi-tractor trailer into smaller trailers, Dec.16, 2021.

Ritchie Lake Bridge Park

The construction of a bridge park at Camp Grafton Training Center (CGTC) provides a convenient training site for Soldiers to train on all bridges in the U.S. Army inventory. The first bridge boat was launched in July 2020, upon completion of Phase I of the project. Phase II will expand the maneuver space. (National Guard story by retired Lt. Col. Shirley J. Olgeirson, N.D. National Guard historian)

The site has long been referred to as “Ritchie’s Slough”, but the identity of Ritchie has been long forgotten. As the time for the official dedication of the training site draws closer, the rules for naming military areas and facilities are being scrutinized. The questions arose: “ Who was Ritchie?" and "Would he meet the naming criteria?"

Overview of Ritchie Lake Bridge Park (From Richie’s Slough Wet Gap proposal briefing)

As assumptions and clues were gathered from camp personnel, retirees, internet searches, and archival resources, a profile emerged. A common supposition that it was named for a 1960’s N.D. state command sergeant major who like to fish was dismissed.

A land plat, dated 1931 and based on a 1911 state engineer survey, identified the location as “Ritchie Lake”, lending credence to one assumption that it was named for a U.S. Geological Surveyor in the early 1900s. A review of photographs indicated that low water levels in the 1970s and ‘80s led to the informal downgrading in terminology from "lake" to "slough".

Further investigation of the 1931 overlay done by N.D. National Guard Engineer Maj. Frank Anders, (Medal of Honor recipient in the 1899 Philippine Insurrection) showed that other features and roads within the camp were named for Veterans of the first North Dakota Volunteers in the Spanish American War and/or soldiers of the 164th Infantry Regiment who served in World War I.

Bridge Boat launch 2020. (Courtesy photo)

Ritchie Lake was named for Brig. Gen. David St. Claire Ritchie, who joined Company G, 1st N.D. Infantry Regiment, Valley City, in 1901. He earned an officer's commission and served on the Mexican Border in 1916 and with the newly named 164th Infantry Regiment during WWI. He served as 164th Infantry Regimental Commander from 1923-1928, and as Commander of the 68th Infantry Brigade, 34th Division, from 1929-1940.

Brig. Gen. David St. Claire Ritchie as a young officer. His U.S. Army Infantry insignia (crossed rifles) bears a "1" indicating assignment to the 1st N.D. Infantry Regiment.

Brig. Gen. Ritchie was a citizen-Soldier, utilizing a law degree from Wesleyan College, Illinois, to serve as States Attorney for Barnes County and later as the Barnes county Veterans Service Officer. He was elected president of the N.D. Wildlife Federation for three terms. Ritchie Nature Park south of Valley City also bears his name.

Brig. Gen. David St. Claire Ritchie as a major.

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Charles Highland