La. Guard recognizes family volunteers at annual workshop
By Staff Sgt. Noshoba Davis, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office
PINEVILLE, La. – The Louisiana National Guard’s Office of Family Programs hosted their annual State Family Program Workshop and awards ceremony recognizing volunteers of the Soldier and Family Readiness Group in Lafayette, Louisiana, June 28-30.
This year’s workshop theme was “Race to Readiness” and included training, planning and recognition of key volunteer team representatives, commanders and SFRG volunteers, as well as command family readiness representatives.
“We gather here annually with a common goal in mind; a goal to honor our shared service, gather tools and sharpen our skills, and to improve
the readiness of the Louisiana National Guard and our military families,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin Myers, LANG’s Yellow Ribbon Program manager.
Over the weekend, family members and volunteers received training from multiple guest speakers to include: Mrs. Leslie Jones, a community engagement lead at Starbucks and military spouse; Dr. Jodi Manton, a licensed professional counselor – supervisor who, for the past three years, has owned and operated her own practice working with adolescents and adults; and Lyla Corkern, owner and CEO of Finding Solace, one of the largest private counseling agencies in Northeast Louisiana.
Additionally, attendees received training on multiple topics to include the pros and cons of using artificial intelligence, emergency finance planning and communications.
In addition to the state family workshop, the Louisiana National Guard’s Child and Youth Program held its Youth Symposium in Lafayette the same weekend.
Throughout the weekend, 11 teenagers participated in multiple activities such as painting and making masks as well as teambuilding challenges and training with the American Red Cross.
The weekend concluded with the presentation of awards for both the Louisiana Army and Air National Guard. Awards were presented to those volunteers that encompass the initiative and drive to go above and beyond to establish an effective military family support program.
This year’s awards were presented by Command Sgt. Maj. Sud Robertson, the LANG’s senior enlisted advisor – Army and his wife, Marie Robertson.
“On behalf of Maj. Gen. Friloux and the Louisiana National Guard, I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to each award recipient for your personal contributions and outstanding support to our military members, their families and the Office of Family Programs,” said Robertson.
The award categories included:
– Family Readiness Group of the Year awarded to Louisiana Army National Guard’s 1021st Engineer Vertical Construction Company and Louisiana Air National Guard’s 214th Engineering Installation Squadron
– Family Readiness Volunteer of the Year awarded to Mrs. Sharley Barrow with Louisiana Army National Guard’s 39th Military Police Company and Mrs. Rebeka Carroll with the Louisiana Air National Guard’s 159th Communication Squadron
– Family of the Year awarded to the Gaubert family with Louisiana Army National Guard’s D Company, 1st Assault Helicopter Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment
– Family Readiness Newsletter/Social of the Year awarded to the Louisiana Army National Guard’s 2228th Military Police Company and Louisiana Air National Guard’s 259th Air Traffic Control Squadron
– Lagniappe Letters of Appreciation awarded to Mrs. Monica Thompson
– National Guard Bureau Regional Volunteer Award awarded to Mrs. Caroline Redman of Region 6.
