U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber speaks with retired Master Sgt. Milton Westgard, who served in the 164th Engineer Battalion, a unit that she commanded 53 years after he retired, Nov. 6, at Baptist Health and Rehab in Bismarck, ND.
Contents
- Veterans Day
- DAG Speaks at Baptist Health and Rehab
- Langston Retires
- DDRO Red Ribbon Events
- Pioneer Elementary School
- Da Guards Podcast
- 3662nd "Unit-Giving" Dinner
- Cervinski Retires
- 3662nd Promotions
- New Lt. Col.
- Hoikkala Promotion
- Reenlistment Flight
- Delorme Retires
- Applications Now Open for Grants to Support Arts Projects for Military-Connected Individuals
Veterans Day
(U.S. Army video by Pfc. Raul Boamah, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)
Veterans Day at the Capitol
Local veterans groups hosted the annual Veterans Day observance at the North Dakota State Capitol, Bismarck, Nov. 11. The key note speaker for the event was U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, ND National Guard adjutant general. (U.S. National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland)
DAG Speaks at Baptist Health and Rehab
Among the residents were retired military veterans, including retired Master Sgt. Milton Westgard. Westgard served from 1953 to 1959 in the ND National Guard in Company A, 164th Engineer Battalion. From 2012 to 2013, Huber served as the commander of the 164th Engineer Battalion.
Langston Retires
The North Dakota Air National Guard recognized U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Scott Langston with the Meritorious Service Medal during his retirement ceremony at the North Dakota Air National Guard base on Oct. 31. (U.S. Air Force photos by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Knodle)
Langston was recognized for his outstanding 31 years of service with the Happy Hooligans. Congratulations on a great career as a Hooligan!
DDRO Red Ribbon Events
The North Dakota National Guard Drug Demand Reduction and Outreach (DDRO) Program partnered with the Drug Enforcement Administration, local law enforcement agencies, and a Public Health official to give 7-12th graders drug prevention and education classes. The events were held in Crosby, Williston, Watford City, and Alexander from Oct. 28-29th, and 1,400 students attended these events. (U.S. Army story and photos by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Lee Renner)
Watford City Police Department Officer Jon Davis and K9 Officer Izzy demonstrate how they practice sniffing for illegal substances at Alexander Public School, Oct. 29, in front of 200 5th-12th graders.
The students had the opportunity to watch the aircraft land near their schools, where the aircraft was then used as a static display. The students were able to talk with the pilots about how the Army National Guard uses this aircraft to assist other federal agencies.
Pioneer Elementary School
U.S. Army Maj. Vanessa Lennick, ND National Guard Visual Information manager, and Sgt. Alexis Aschoff, Recruiting and Retention Battalion, visited the students at Pioneer Elementary School, Nov. 5, 2024. (U.S. Army story and photos by Staff Sgt. Samuel Kroll)
U.S. Army Maj. Vanessa Lennick, left, Christopher Narum, Pioneer Elementary School principal, and Sgt. Alexis Aschoff, take a picture in front of the school, Nov. 5.
They spoke about what it means to serve the country, honoring the courage and dedication of veterans, and encouraged students to show kindness, respect, and courage in their own lives as a way to serve each other. The visit concluded with the entire school reciting the Pledge of Allegiance together, leaving students with a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made by veterans and how they can embody similar values in their school community.
Da Guards Podcast
Da Guards Podcast focuses on highlighting the North Dakota National Guard’s Soldiers, Airmen, and civilian employees of our organization.
CURRENT PODCAST
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, former North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, discusses his military career before retiring on Sept. 15, 2024. Dohrmann served for more than 40 years and served as adjutant general since 2015.
New podcast episodes will be announced every other Monday.
"From the Field Campaign"
3662nd "Unit-Giving" Dinner
The 3662nd Support Maintenance Company (SMC) emphasized team building and community with a "Unit-Giving" dinner during their inactive duty training weekend, Nov. 2-3, 2024, at Camp Grafton Training Center in Devils Lake, North Dakota. (U.S. Army story and photos by Capt. Rhea Goulet)
Soldiers engaged in a series of collaborative activities, starting with a speed networking icebreaker challenge. They then participated in the marshmallow challenge, where teams constructed tall, freestanding towers from spaghetti noodles to support a marshmallow. Next, small groups tackled a decision-making scenario, imagining they were stranded on a lifeboat after a shipwreck. They had to decide whom to save and which limited supplies to use. The weekend also featured the egg drop challenge, in which teams designed protective structures for raw eggs to survive a 16-foot drop.
To conclude the weekend, the unit hosted a potluck-style "Unit-Giving" dinner, with volunteers contributing a variety of dishes and desserts. The event wrapped up with an acknowledgement toss, allowing Soldiers to anonymously share how a fellow member positively impacted their work experience. This heartfelt moment fostered recognition and appreciation among Soldiers and leaders, strengthening the sense of camaraderie within the unit.
Cervinski Retires
On Nov. 3, U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Paul D. Cervinski, 3662nd Support Maintenance Company, was honored with a retirement ceremony at Camp Grafton Training Center in Devils Lake, celebrating an impressive 40 years of service. (U.S. Army photo and story by Capt. Rhea Goulet)
His wife, Janeen, friends, and fellow service members attended the event. Cervinski served in the 3662nd Support Maintenance Company as the Warrant Officer responsible for overseeing the technical operations and training of the Electronics and Communication Platoon.
His commitment and exemplary leadership have profoundly impacted those in his unit. The ND National Guard and those in his unit are grateful for his remarkable service and the countless ways he has inspired those around him. As he embarks on this new chapter, we wish him continued success in all his future endeavors.
3662nd Promotions
The 3662nd Support Maintenance Company (SMC) promoted three Soldiers during their inactive duty training weekend, Nov. 2-3 at Camp Grafton Training Center in Devils Lake, North Dakota. (U.S. Army story and photos by Capt. Rhea Goulet)
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Hoffert was promoted to sergeant first class, and Sgt. Beron Sinner was promoted to staff sergeant. Spc. Noah Mack also received a promotion to sergeant. The event was made even more memorable with the attendance of Hoffert's and Sinner's parents, who had the honor of pinning their Soldiers. Staff Sgt. Chris Klatt, the armament section sergeant, proudly pinned Mack.
New Lt. Col.
U.S. Army Maj. Michael Champagne, N.D. Guard Training Center, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant Colonel by his daughter during a ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, ND, Oct. 29. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland)
Hoikkala Promotion
U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Steven Hoikkala, G4 defense movement coordinator, was promoted to the rank of chief warrant officer 4 by his family during a ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, ND, Nov. 7. (Social media photo by Chandra Elsen)
Reenlistment Flight
Five Soldiers from the Headquarters and Head Quarters Company, 164th Engineer Battalion, had the opportunity to commemorate extending their service in a memorable way, mid-flight in a UH-60 Blackhawk, Minot, ND, Oct. 26. (U.S. Army National Guard Photos by Sgt. Zachary Obrigewitch,)
U.S. Army Spc. Jefferson Jacob, Spc. Jesse Urlacher, Spc. Cortney McGraw, Sgt. Becca Thull, and Spc. Cassie Cree reenlisted during the flight.
Delorme Retires
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st. Class Derek Delorme, N.D. Guard Recruiting and Retention Command, was recognized for his 28 years of service during a retirement ceremony at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., Nov. 1. (U.S. National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)
U.S. Army Maj. Chance Schaffner, N.D. Guard Recruiting and Retention commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Sayler present Sgt. 1st. Class Derek Delorme the Meritorious Service Medal at his retirement ceremony.
Delorme distinguished himself through his outstanding service during his 28-year military career.
Applications Now Open for Grants to Support Arts Projects for Military-Connected Individuals
The Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant program aims to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life for military service members and veterans exposed to trauma as well as their families and caregivers through experiences of art or art making. The Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA).
Grant applications are open now and close January 15, 2025.
Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal agency that is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts. By advancing equitable opportunities for arts participation and practice, the NEA fosters and sustains an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States.
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