North Dakota Patriot Guard

News Release 10-059
For Immediate Release March 31, 2010
Contact: Billie Jo Lorius at 701-333-2288 (office) or 701-426-5205 (cell)

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota Patriot Guard (NDPG) as well as three individual
volunteers were recognized by the North Dakota National Guard for their service with special
awards during the North Dakota National Guard’s ‘The Adjutant General’s Symposium on Families’
on March 20.

The awards presented by the North Dakota National Guard are the first step toward
competing nationally as part of the National Guard Joint Family Program’s Volunteer Award
Recognition. National award winners will be presented at the Annual National Volunteer Workshop
and Youth Symposium in New Orleans in August.

The NDPG received the North Dakota National Guard Family Program Community Purple Award.
The award is presented to a community group or organization that best exemplifies the true meaning
of the purple concept within the Joint Family Program, by working with both Air and Army Guard
activities.

“The North Dakota Patriot Guard and the individual volunteers recognized by the National Guard
have earned these distinguished awards,” said Gov. John Hoeven. “They are always there to provide
our service members and their Families with the support, gratitude and respect they deserve and
exemplify the proud patriotism that defines our great state.”

Since 2006, members of the NDPG have rendered honors at events ranging from sendoffs,
homecomings, freedom salutes, and escorting the remains of fallen warriors, as well as providing a
presence at airports even when only one service member was returning from deployment.

“The North Dakota Patriot Guard is not only an important member of our extended National Guard
Family, but partners to all branches of service and Veterans groups in our state,” said Maj. Gen.
David Sprynczynatyk, adjutant general for the North Dakota National Guard. “For nearly four years,
they have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with our service men and women, Veterans and their Families
all across North Dakota in a myriad of military events. Whether welcoming service members home
or sending them to war; honoring our fallen heroes or celebrating patriotic holidays or events like the
recent Vietnam Veterans Day proclamation ceremony, or last fall’s dedication of the N.D. Memorial
to the Fallen in the Global War on Terrorism, we can always count on members of the Patriot Guard
to stand with us in quiet dignity and respect.”

The Gold Award is presented to the person showing long-term, consistent, and dedicated support in
volunteering with the Family Program. Winners are recognized for the longevity of support
dedicated to the National Guard Family Program and volunteering within their community. The
winner of the Gold Award was Alice “Dollie” Seerup. Seerup lives in Wahpeton and volunteers for
the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) in Fargo.

The Extra Mile Award (Retiree) is an award presented to an individual Air and Army retiree who
distinguish themselves with outstanding and exceptional service to the family program by continuing
to serve the Guard through volunteering. James Grote, Jr. of Minot, N.D. was the winner of the Extra
Mile Award.

Juanita Hertz, a Family Readiness Group (FRG) leader for the 231st Brigade Support Battalion
(BSB) in Valley City, N.D. won the Family Member of the Year Award. This award is presented to
one family member that shows outstanding and exceptional service to the family program.
We are extremely grateful to these volunteers and the countless other volunteers that support the
efforts of our National Guard in taking care of our Soldiers, Airmen and their Families,” added
Sprynczynatyk. “Their efforts are always appreciated and never go unnoticed.”
Also included in the national award competition are the North Dakota Air and Army Families of the
year. Tech. Sgt. Francisco “Frank” Gonzalez and Senior Airman Kelly Gonzalez, of Minot, received
Air Guard Family of the Year award and Sgt 1st Class Richard and Tess Haugen, of Dickinson, were
named as the Army Guard Family of the Year.

——
Since the 2001 terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard has mobilized more
than 3,500 Soldiers and more than 1,800 Airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
Currently, about 800 North Dakota Guardsmen are serving overseas. With a total force of about
4,400 Soldiers and Airmen, sufficient forces remain in the state for emergency response and
homeland defense.
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For more information:
N.D. National Guard News Release (3/20/2010)
Both Air and Army Guard Family of the Year are Awarded
http://www.ndguard.ngb.army.mil/news/Pages/GuardFamilyoftheYear.aspx

The North Dakota Patriot Guard stands with U.S. flags at the Vietnam Veterans Day announcement
ceremony at the North Dakota State Capitol on March 26, 2010. (Photo by Bill Prokopyk, N.D.
National Guard) (Released)

The North Dakota Patriot Guard stands with U.S. flags waiting for the North Dakota Army National
Guard Detachment 42 (Det. 42), Operational Support Airlift’s return to Bismarck, N.D. after serving
a year in Djibouti, Africa on Feb. 19, 2010. (Photo by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard) (Released)

The lead motorcycle of the North Dakota Patriot Guard convoy passes by the crowd during the
dedication of the North Dakota Memorial to the Fallen in the Global War on Terrorism in Bismarck,
N.D. on Sept. 11, 2009. 100 motorcycles kicked off the dedication ceremony by riding into the
ceremony. (Photo by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard) (Released)

A convoy of North Dakota Patriot Guard motorcycles escort buses containing North Dakota Army
National Guard Soldiers to the Bismarck, N.D. Airport on Aug. 21, 2009. The Soldiers were bound
for Kosovo peacekeeping duties. (Photo by Bill Prokopyk, N.D. National Guard) (Released)