Green Mountain Guard February 2024

From The Tag

Colleagues,

I hope everyone is off to a great start for 2024. Winter is in full swing which means, at least for our Army National Guard, there are lots of winter field training exercises and other cold weather training ongoing. Remember your training, stay safe and lean on your peers. Nothing brings Soldiers together quite like a winter FTX…

For our Airmen January was highlighted by Maple Thunder – I just returned from visiting them in Savannah, GA. Maple Thunder is a complex training exercise, during which our F35 team exercised Agile Combat Employment – operating out of multiple austere sites with multi-capable Airmen. This is a tremendous undertaking, and certainly gets us back to “train as you fight.” Our Airmen continue to lead the way for the USAF and the Air National Guard.

Throughout the month we’ve seen Soldiers from 3-126th Patriot MEDEVAC returning from deployments across Central Command. These Soldiers found themselves right on the edge of the newest regional conflict and did not hesitate to execute their mission with professionalism and expertise. In about nine months of deployment, C/3-126 Aviation flew out of multiple sites in CENTCOM. They completed 369 MEDEVAC missions totaling 1548.7 flight hours, with 902 patients and medical personnel transported. They also executed 405 training missions totaling 679.6 flight hours. And through all this, our Army Aviators dropped not a single mission. ZERO. Given the environment they were working in, that is truly a remarkable accomplishment. I will be glad when all return home from demobilization.

Lastly, the Legislative session has begun. This is our chance to be seen and heard from our state leadership.

Know that I and Brig. Gen. Hank Harder, our new Deputy Adjutant General, are advocating for a couple of different Guard initiatives that will hopefully make a difference for us.

All the best.

Maj. General Gregory Knight

History of:

The Green Mountain Battle Flag

History

Green field, with white stars in blue canton. Ethan Allen and his Boys fought under the command of Col. John Stark, whose flag this was. On May 10, 1775, they carried this banner in the battle of Ft. Ticonderoga. Captured arms were then transported over rugged snow-covered terrain to strengthen American fortifications at Boston, thus forcing the British troops to leave that important seaport. -Bennington, Museum

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From the windswept valleys to the green peaks of Vermont, a flag flutters—a symbol of resistance, liberty, and state pride. The Green Mountain Boys' flag, originally known as the Stark flag, is not just a piece of fabric but a testament to Vermont's vibrant history intertwined with the struggles of the American Revolution. Over centuries, this emblem has transcended its origins, becoming a beacon for Vermonters, reminding them of the challenges their fore-bearers faced and the undying spirit they bore.

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Vermont National Guard Open House 2022. The Hanaford's Volunteers hoist the Green Mountain Battle Flag keeping history alive with their performancs.

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The Green Mountain Boys flag owes its design lineage to other flags of the American Revolution. Central to this history is the flag that belonged to John Stark, a general during the American Revolution. Stark led troops at the Battle of Bennington in 1777 bearing what is believed to be the first version of the Green Mountain Boy flag.

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One militia that prominently adopted this spirit of courage and resilience was the Green Mountain Boys. This group of settlers played pivotal roles during the American Revolution. Though technically under New York's control by British decree, they neither acknowledged the laws imposed by the British nor were they deterred by them. Instead, under the leadership of figures like Ethan Allen, Ira Allen, and Seth Warner, the Green Mountain Boys rallied to the American cause. Their military feats, such as the capture of Ticonderoga and contributions during the Battles of Bennington and Hubbardton, showcased their strategic significance. These successes were not just military victories but also symbolic triumphs over their oppressors, further highlighting their desire for freedom and autonomy. The flag they rallied behind became an embodiment of these ideals and values.

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The Green Mountain Battle Flag now travels with any unit from the Vermont National Guard that deploys as a reminder of our history and as a sigil of continued efforts at home and abroad.

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The Green Mountain Boys' flag, with its vibrant green field and blue canton adorned with thirteen stars, one for each of the rebelling colonies, is a vivid representation of both the region and the broader American Revolution. The green in the flag represents the lush landscapes of the Green Mountains beside Lake Champlain, serving as a reminder of Vermont's natural beauty. Meanwhile, the thirteen stars, symbolize the original American colonies, underlining Vermont's integral role in the birth of a new nation.

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For More History Check Out The Video Below

Captain Jonathan Bratten, Maine National Guard, certified military historian, hosts a comprehensive look at the Vermont National Guard at the Green Mountain Armory, Colchester, VT on Jan 19.

572nd BEB Host Awards for Deployment

The 572nd Brigade Engineer Battalion held a traditional dining in at the CRAM dining facility, Jericho, Vermont, on Jan 6th. Events like this are a time-honored tradition in the Army. They are an opportunity for a unit to come together, and celebrate their victories.

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The Army Achievement Medal is granted to personnel for outstanding achievement or meritorious service.

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During this formal dinner, Soldiers were recognized for their hard work and commitment to the unit. Notably, Alpha Company was presented a Meritorious Unit Citation for their exceptional work during their deployment to Afghanistan as a part of Task Force Avalanche.

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Senior leaders come together to show appreciation for the 572nd Brigade Engineer Battalion and all the efforts they put forth during deployment.

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During their deployment, Alpha Company conducted the deliberate withdrawal of United States and partner nation forces from Afghanistan, culminating in the largest evacuation of non-combatants in United States military history. The professionalism and readiness of the company led to a seamless transition from the short-term mission of immediate reception, medical, and humanitarian concerns to the longer-term mission of ongoing support and resettlement of the evacuees.

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State Partnership Program

New Initiatives: VT & Austria

Brig. Gen. Poirier signs an agreement establishing student exchange between Norwhich University and the Theresian Military Academy.

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In a significant demonstration of support for the strengthening relationship between the Vermont National Guard and Austria, Gen. Daniel Hokanson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, joined Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight, The Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard, and Brig. Gen. Tracy Poirier, Director of the Joint Staff, in key meetings with the Austrian Bundesheer leadership.

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The Chief of the National Guard Bureau Gen. Daniel Hokanson, the Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight, and the delegation, Vermont National Guard, meet with the Austrian Ministry of Defense to discuss future initiatives.

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These discussions, held at the Ministry of Defense in Vienna, focused on the prospects of the State Partnership Program. The highlight was the introduction of a new 'whole of society' program, aimed at reinforcing transatlantic ties and promoting democratic values across borders.

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The 40th Army Band had the privilege of playing their music at the prestigious 2024 Ball der Offiziere.

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"This evolution is a prime example of the opportunities the State Partnership Program offers both sides of the relationship," said Hokanson. "The room for cooperation and growth is vast not only in global security but also in the economic and cultural sectors."

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Healthy Cooking

The smells of sizzling onions and garlic drifted across the Vermont Air National Guard Base during January drill. This wasn’t a typical morning for the Airmen of the 158th Fighter Wing-- they were attending a professional healthy cooking class.

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Instructor Leah Pryor teaches Air Guard members about nutritional medicine.

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The instruction was led by Leah Pryor, Executive Chef Manager of the Culinary Medicine Program at the University of Vermont, and Alison Precourt, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator, also from UVM. While Pryor and Precourt may hold different positions, the two come together to provide an interactive demonstration on how to cook a meal that’s both healthy and tasty, all while staying on an affordable budget.

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Instruction became hands-on to help attendees learn how to balance flavor, food, and health.

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“Our motto for culinary medicine is that it combines the joy of cooking with the science of nutrition,” Precourt explained.

Ice Ice Baby

Need some cold weather training to help you wake up? The 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team - Mountain has you covered! Soldiers showed physical and mental fortitude plunging into icy waters. Despite the frigid water, they demonstrated their ability to maintain focus by answering questions before pulling themselves back onto the ice.

Patriot Medevac Returns

The Vermont National Guard is happy to welcome home members of the C/3-126th AVN - Patriot Medevac after a long tour overseas. It’s great to see them home safe and smiling!

Thank You, Mr. Ken Gragg

Airforce Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) Ken Gragg retires from his post as the deputy adjutant general for the Vermont National Guard. He held the position for six years after an already impressive 30-year military career. Mr. Gragg’s career spanned multiple decades and in a variety of roles. He will be missed greatly by all those who worked with him. Thanks for your service, Ken, and enjoy your retirement. We welcome Brig. Gen. Hank Harder as the new deputy adjutant general. Welcome Sir!

Enjoy Some Hits From The 40th Army Band