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TAG Line April 3, 2023

The traveling Vietnam War Memorial was displayed at the Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony, North Dakota State Capitol in Bismarck, N.D., March 29, 2023.

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Military Pay State Tax Exemption Bill Signed

Gov. Doug Burgum signed a bill that exempts military pay from state income tax at the N.D. National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility, Bismarck, March 27, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

The state tax exemption includes military pay earned by active duty, National Guard and Reserve members, building on legislation signed in 2019 that exempts military retirement pay. State Sen. Scott Meyer of Grand Forks, the prime sponsor of the bill and Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. National Guard adjutant general, joined Burgum in rendering remarks at the bill signing.

Gov. Doug Burgum renders remarks during a bill signing event which exempts military pay from state income tax, March 27, 2023, Bismarck, N.D.

Statewide, N.D. Senate Bill (SB) 2293 is estimated to reduce North Dakota service members’ income taxes by $4 million in the 2023-25 biennium. Military pay encompasses all federal pay for training, education, mobilization and bonuses as well as pay earned on state active duty.

“By joining the roughly 20 states that don’t tax military income, North Dakota is recognizing the sacrifice of military service and building on the momentum of our ongoing efforts to make ours the most military-friendly state in the nation,” Burgum said. “We’re grateful to the legislators, National Guard officials, military supporters and everyone else who advocated for this important tax relief.”

Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. National Guard adjutant general, renders remarks during a bill signing event, March 27, 2023, Bismarck, N.D.

Currently, 12 states fully exempt military income from state income tax, including Minnesota, and 14 states partially exempt it, according to testimony on the bill. Nine states have no income tax, including South Dakota. As a result, military service members often choose a state with exemptions for military pay or no income tax as their official state of residence.

“This historic bill clearly demonstrates the great regard for our military by our state elected leaders,” Dohrmann said. “I am appreciative of the Governor and our legislators who supported this and other bills that directly benefit National Guard members and their families.”

State Sen. Scott Meyer of Grand Forks, discusses how the bill exempting military pay from state income tax will benefit military members at Grand Forks Air Base during a bill signing event, Bismarck, March 27, 2023.

“This policy will assist our active duty members and their families when they decide where to set their state residency, it will assist our National Guard with recruiting efforts, and it will assist workforce development by veterans filling job openings once they separate from the military,” Meyer said. “The passage of SB 2293 continues to show that North Dakota is a leader in providing quality of life opportunities for our service members. They’ve earned it.”

The bill passed the N.D. House 89-3 and the N.D. Senate 40-4.

From the Field Campaign Photos

The N.D. National Guard's Task Force Cajetan first marketing campaign, "From the Field", has produced a perspective unlike any other. The efforts have been primarily focused on the Soldier and Airmen point of view in attempts to provide a glimpse of everyday life as a military member. (National Guard story by 1st Lt. Bruce Shields Jr., N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Top: 219th Security Forces Squadron non-commissioned officer development visit in Minot, March 29, 2023. (National Guard photo by Chief Master Sgt. Kari Appletoft, 119th Wing, Mission Support Group) Bottom Pictures: Recruit Sustainment Program drill has new recruits and guests learning basic military skills at the Raymond J. Bohn armory, Bismarck, N.D., March 25, 2023. (National Guard photos by Sgt. First Class Jon Hoefer, Recruiting and Retention Battalion)

Check back next week for more images from our Soldiers and Airmen.

Among the Best in Army Maintenance

N.D. Army National Guard Field Maintenance Shop #1 (FMS1), Minot, was evaluated on March 23, 2023 for consideration of the Fiscal Year 2023 Chief of Staff Army Award for Maintenance Excellence (AAME). (National Guard story and photo by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Galen Roness, Supervisory Surface Maintenance Specialist)

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Thomas Wanzek, FMS1 surface maintenance mechanic supervisor, submitted a packet to compete in the AAME TDA category. The submission highlighted the support of unit readiness through equipment readiness which exceeded Army goals, innovation in the areas of personnel management and maintenance procedures, and environmental stewardship (i.e., recycling and HAZMAT/HAZCOM).

On Dec. 13, 2022, FMS1 was selected by the National Guard Bureau AAME board to compete for the award at Department of the Army (DA) level.

N.D. Army National Guard Field Maintenance Shop 1 (FMS1) fulltime employees gather to commemorate selection as a semi-finalist for the FY23 AAME. Left to right: Sgt. 1st Class Chris Arnason, interim supervisor; Spc. Todd Stein, surface maintenance mechanic; Spc. Michael Perry, surface maintenance mechanic; Staff Sgt. Colton Blomberg, surface maintenance mechanic; Staff Sgt. Matt Llewellyn, surface maintenance mechanic; Spc. James Grote III, surface maintenance mechanic; Spc. Jamie Blomberg, production controller.

Not Pictured: Chief Warrant Officer 2 Thomas Wanzek, surface maintenance equipment supervisor; Sgt. Frank Heilman, surface maintenance mechanic; and, Spc. Alexis Vandegraft, production controller.

FMS1 was selected by the DA AAME board as a semi-finalist, which led to a DA Phase II “on-site” evaluation. This placed FMS1 in the top 3 TDAs competing for this award. The winners and runners-up are expected to be announced June 2023.

Vietnam Veterans Day Ceremony

The 2023 Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony was held at the N.D. State Capitol in Bismarck, March 29, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

The ceremony observed the 50th Commemoration of the end of the Vietnam War and featured the traveling Vietnam War Memorial.

Veterans color guard prepare to post the colors at the Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony, Bismarck, N.D, March 29, 2023.

Left, Gov. Doug Burgum, and special guests render honors as the colors are posted at the Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony, Bismarck, N.D., March 29, 2023.

Warrant Office 1 Tessa Hogan, North Dakota National Guard, performs the national anthem at the Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony, Bismarck, N.D., March 29, 2023.

North Dakota Rep. Dennis Johnson, Speaker of the House, read the North Dakota House Concurrent Resolution observing the 50th Commemoration of the end of the Vietnam War.

Master of ceremony Jim Nelson, Vietnam Veteran, renders remarks at the Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony, Bismarck, N.D., March 29, 2023.

Master of ceremony Jim Nelson, Vietnam Veteran, renders remarks at the Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony, Bismarck, N.D., March 29, 2023.

State legislators read the names of the 237 known North Dakota KIA/POW/MIAs. The names were accompanied by the ringing of a silver bell. The ceremony culminated in the performance of Taps and benediction by Chaplain (Col.) David Johnson, N.D. National Guard.

Gov. Doug Burgum, renders remarks at the Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony, Bismarck, N.D., March 29, 2023.

N.D. Vietnam Veterans' Day proclamation was signed by Gov. Doug Burgum, left, and certified by Sec. of State Michael Howe at the Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony, Bismarck, N.D., March 29, 2023.

Dick Jose, Post #9 American Veterans (AMVETs) rings the bell to honor the North Dakotan KIA/MIA/POWs of the Vietnam War as their names were read at the Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony, Bismarck, N.D., March 29, 2023.

North Dakota Sen. Mike Wobbema, U.S. Air Force Veteran, reads names of North Dakotans KIA/MIA/POWs of the Vietnam War at the Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony, Bismarck, N.D., March 29, 2023.

Alex Munson, Bismarck Century High School student, performs his part of Taps (call and response) after the names of 237 North Dakotan KIA/MIA/POWs was read at the Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony, Bismarck, N.D., March 29, 2023.
Spencer Hoskins, Bismarck Century High School student performs his part of Taps (call and response) after the names of 237 North Dakotan KIA/MIA/POWs was read at the Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony, Bismarck, N.D., March 29, 2023.

Gov. Doug Burgum proclaimed March 29, 2023 as Vietnam Veterans' Day in North Dakota.

Army Band Performs at Music Educators Association

The 188th Army Band performed at the N.D. Music Educators Association conference and North Dakota All-State Music Festival at Bismarck Event Center, Bismarck on March 23 to 24, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class DeAnn Fylling, Staff Sgt. Samuel Kroll and Sgt. Taryn Stoen, 188th Army Band)

The 188th Army Band's No Brass No Ammo Woodwind ensemble performs in a common area for students, educators, and supporters at the Bismarck Event Center, March 24, 2023. From left, Sgt. Molly Johnson, Spc. Victoria Steffen, Staff Sgt. Kelsy Johnson, Sgt. Devon Tucker, Spc. Darcy Brandenburg,

This festival brought together young, talented musicians from all over the state to work with world-renowned directors. While students attended rehearsals, North Dakota music educators participated in professional development sessions.

The 188th Army Band's Saxophone Quartet performs for students, educators, and supporters at the Bismarck Event Center, March 24, 2023.
The 188th Army Band's Cover Down Brass ensemble performs for students, educators, and supporters at the Bismarck Event Center, March 24, 2023. From left, Sgt. Augustus Tandberg, Spc. Natalie Helfrich, Sgt. Tommy Iken, Spc. Jaden Rohrich, Spc. Andrew Bergan,

The 188th Army Band showcased several chamber ensembles throughout the festival, including saxophone and trumpet ensembles, the woodwind ensemble, and the brass ensemble.

Top left: From left, Staff Sgt. Samuel Kroll, Chief Warrant Officer 3 James Landman, and Spc. Jaden Yeager perform the Celebration of Spring with the Trumpet Sextet at the Bismarck Event Center, March 23, 2023. Bottom left: From left Sgt. Devon Tucker and Spc. Darcy Brandenburg perform with the Woodwind ensemble at the Bismarck Event Center, March 24, 2023.  Right: Sgt. Tommy Iken performs with the Brass ensemble at the Bismarck Event Center, March 24, 2023.

The 188th Army Band's Vocal ensemble performs God Bless America by Irving Berlin at joint concert at the Bismarck Event Center, March 23, 2023. From left, Staff Sgt. Leah Brooks, Sgt. Kacie Edwards-Pahl, Sgt. 1st Class DeAnn Fylling, Spc. Elijah O' Sullivan, Sgt. Augustus (Gus) Tandberg and Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Johnson.

The concert band played a joint concert on Thursday evening with the University of North Dakota Wind ensemble. Nearly 600 students, teachers, and supporters were in attendance.

Concert attendees at the 188th Army Band and University of North Dakota Wind Ensembles joint concert at the Bismarck Event Center, March 23, 2023.

In addition to the musical performances, the band also had a recruiting booth in the exhibit hall where Soldier-musicians answered questions about the audition process and opportunities available with the 188th Army Band.

ESGR Boss Lunch

The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), N.D. Air National Guard's 119th Wing, and the Fargo Military Affairs Committee hosted an employer military awareness luncheon and tour at the Air National Guard Base in Fargo, March 22, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by David Lipp, N.D. ESGR public affairs deputy)

Over 30 local business leaders attended the luncheon.

Top: Col. Mitch Johnson, 119th Wing commander, right, and Delton Steele, ESGR N.D. state chair, provide an informational briefing to civilian employers of unit members at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., March 22, 2023. Bottom: Senior Master Sgt. Danelle Card hands out electronic training equipment during a tour for civilian employers of National Guard members during a tour at the N.D. Air National Guard base, Fargo, N.D., March 22, 2023.

The civilian business and organizational leaders enjoyed lunch and a tour of the base which included demonstrations of training activities and high-tech equipment used by their National Guard member employees. Also discussed was the Happy Hooligans' contributions to national defense.

From right, Delton Steele, ESGR N.D. state chair; Dave Johnston, ESGR; and Joel Hermes of Corteva Agriscience, at the ESGR Boss Lunch, March 22, 2023.

Corteva Agriscience was recognized with the ESGR Above and Beyond Award, which was presented in recognition of exceptional support of their employees that also serve in the Military. Several other employers were recognized with Patriot Awards.

A group of N.D. Air National Guard members, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves (ESGR) and civilian business and organizational leaders gather for a photo at the N.D. Air National Guard Base, Fargo, March 22, 2023.

Veterans Appreciation Lunch

Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. National Guard adjutant general and other senior National Guard leaders helped serve food at the annual Veterans Appreciation Luncheon at the AMVETs Post #9, Bismarck, N.D., March 29, 2023. (National Guard story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Highland, N.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Approximately 300 complementary meals were served to Veterans, currently serving military members and their Families courtesy of the Minishoshe-Mandan chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and other sponsors. The luncheon was in recognition of Vietnam Veterans Day.

Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. National Guard adjutant general, senior Guard leaders and Guard Soldiers and Airmen attended a Veterans Appreciation Luncheon in Bismarck, N.D., March 29, 2023.
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Charles Highland
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