Mongolian visit

We had two amazing Lt. Cols visiting this week from Mongolia.
What an amazing experience.
At 18 every male is required to join their military for free.... After the initial year they can volunteer to stay in or not, but at that point once they become NCO they will receive a nominal pay which is what they use to support their families in this country where the primary income is farming.

You may be asking why we have a connection to Mongolia ? The answer is they are our sister country. Each National Guard has a country they train with and help grow. Mongolia is ours.
They do have a system of support for their families during their deployments but are lacking the financial backing and info structure we have over the years grown here in America.
So while we discussed how to strengthen those areas , I was enthralled with the many incredible ideas that had as well for us. And I look forward to getting many chances to go over and help establish some programs for their Soldiers and Families.

Gen. and Mrs. Renuart

This week I had the distinct pleasure and honor of sitting down with our Northern Commanders wife Mrs.Renuart.
Gen. Renuart and Mrs. Renuart were visiting Alaska from NORAD/NORTHCOM's headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo. He will meet with Brig. Gen. Tom Katkus, acting DMVA commissioner and adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard, and John Madden, director of the Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, among other key department leaders. Renuart will discuss the Alaska National Guards capabilities in emergency contingencies as well as the state's response capabilities.

It was amazing to sit down and listen to this incredible woman on the plight of our Soldiers and families. And as we spoke I can honestly say from my heart she will work to make sure we are taken care of . She believes in our programs and the mission we push forward every day.

Happy Fall!!!!

Well it has been a whirlwind last month . I took the twelve hour flight to Chicago July 18th for the Mrs. International Pageant. It was so amazing to be around so many accomplished and dedicated women.

I was so in awe listening to the things that they have done in the communities and states.

After the pageant I flew home only to rush off the plane to my baby sisters rehearsal dinner , literally rush.

The following weeks have been somewhat of a blur as I went straight back to go,go go mode.

The first week I had a fabulous time at the Govs picnic. It turned out to be a beautiful day and what seemed like the entire city showed up not only to see her but to also meet the new Lt. Gov. My favorite General Campbell. Although we will miss him dearly as The Adjutant General, I know he will be an incredible leader for our State as Lt. Gov . and he will take us to great new places.

The following Monday we had Gen. Campbell's retirement. It was bittersweet but in the end I know in my heart he will never be far from helping our Military.

Then the next week I met with two representatives from The National Military Families Association in from DC. This group is amazing because they are truly the only group that gets to testify and is called on to testify on behalf of our military Troops and Families before Congress. I am very excited and look forward to a long , full filling working relationship with this incredible group of people.

The following days were spent in the State Legislative Veterans Summit.This was the first of its kind here, and brought out most of our State Legislature and Lawmakers. We all broke into work groups to address the issues we thought to be the most prominent for our Vets. I had a great work group with several lawmakers, lawyers and Judges. We spent hours putting together and educating each other on the things we found to be most needed for our State for these honorable men and women. At the end of the day we made amazing progress and brought forth some great ideas for our Legislature to look over this session.

At the end of the month I am back on my way down to Chicago for a DOD conference on helping Military families get through deployments , we will have an entire week of workshops and I know every time I attend something like this is one more chance for us to show our Troops and Families how thankful we are for their sacrifices. And how we will always stand beside them in gratitude and love for the United States of America.

God Bless our Nation, God Bless our Troops and Families and May God bless you!