Image Courtesy of MDLPhotoz

The Happy Hooligans will be hosting their first-ever Hometown Heroes Salute Ceremony this Saturday, September 11, 2010.  This awards ceremony will be honoring over 300 North Dakota Airmen and their families.  All Airmen who deployed from 9/11/2001 through 2008 will be recognized. Speakers will include Gov. John Hoeven, Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, N.D. adjutant general, and Col. Rick Gibney, 119th Wing Commander.  Next year the plan is to honor all the airmen who have deployed from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010 and from then on will become a yearly event.

My husband, who is a First Sergeant in the Air National Guard, says it is important that we recognize the men and women who serve our country.  He says it will be an honor and a privilege to see them receive their awards.  He also believes families should be recognized for all of their sacrifices they make on a daily basis in support of their service members and ultimately our country.

The ceremony will be from 8:30-10:00 a. m. in the maintenance hangar on the North Dakota Air National Guard base in Fargo.  Following the ceremony, the 119th Wing will celebrate family day at the base.  This will include Games Galore, Guitar Hero tournament, and Operation Military Kids.  Lunch will also be served.

I plan to attend this event with my family this Saturday, September 11.  As a family, we do recognize the sacrifices made every day by these men and women and will join in expressing our appreciation for their service to our country.