2020 NGAT Winter News by MediaNation

Founded 1959 | Volume 60 | Number 4 | Winter 2020

O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E N AT I O N A L G U A R D A S S O C I AT I O N O F T E X A S

NGAT Hosts EANGUS Area IV Mid-Winter Conference

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61st Annual NGAT Conference

NGAT Membership Contest

CSM (Ret) Clyde Worrell

EANGUS Area IV Mid-Winter Conference

ALL honorably discharged Veterans are eligible to shop their military exchanges online, tax-free for life. This benefit saves Veterans money and helps the military community by generating earnings in support of critical Quality-of-Life programs.

Verify your eligibility today at shopmyexchange.com/vets

The Department of Defense expanded in-store military exchange and commissary shopping privileges as well as MWR resale facility use to ALL: • • • •

Veterans with service-connected disabilities Purple Heart recipients Former Prisoners of War Primary registered caregivers

Learn more about this benefit at shopmyexchange.com/vets

SCAN HERE TO VISIT OUR VETERAN PAGE

2019-2020 Board of Directors President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President-Elect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vice-President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joint Forces HQs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71st Troop Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36th ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72nd IBCT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56th IBCT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56th IBCT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36th Sustainment Bde . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36th CAB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176th Engr Bde . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71st EMIB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136th MEB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HQ, TANG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149th FW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147th ATKW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136th AW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Retired Rep – Region I . . . . . . . . . . . . Retired Rep – Region II . . . . . . . . . . . . Retired Rep – Region III . . . . . . . . . . . Family Readiness Rep . . . . . . . . . . . . . Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Priscilla Leger Christopher McKeag Bruce Robison Michael Wolff Mireya Cruz Vacant Vacant Mireya Cruz Rodney Kelley James Crady Clinton Petty Samantha Lewis Vacant Toby Mendoza Jeff Basa George Hurd Bruce Robison Chip Cranon Kyle Ames Michael Wolff Jeanne Arnold Donna Balderston Quentin Kimble Shandra Sponsler Marvin Harris

CONTENTS p7

NGAT WELCOME PARTY

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Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Theresa Billeck-Zuniga Graphic Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terri Sheets Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aus-Tex Printing & Mailing NGAT NEWS: 3706 Crawford Ave Austin, TX 78731 512-454-7300 1-800-252-NGAT (6428) NGAT News Magazine (Articles & Photos): ngatnews@ngat.org

4 President’s Report 5 Legislative Update NGAT Conference Highlights 6 7 NGAT Welcome Party 8 NGAT Conference Guest Speakers 9 NGAT Conference Breakouts 10 NGAT Scholarships 12-13 Duty | Honor | Texas 14-15 Texas State Guard Update 16 NGAT Membership Contest 17 Key Leadership Update

DUTY | HONOR | TEXAS

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NGAT Home Page: www.ngat.org

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Marvin Harris – mharris@ngat.org

DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Theresa Billeck-Zuniga – tbz@ngat.org

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Best Warrior Golf Tournament In Memoriam CSM (Ret) Clyde Worrell Legal Update EANGUS Fitness Challenge EANGUS Mid-Winter Report/Scholarship NGAUS Update TAPS | Corporate Sponsors NGAT Planning Calendar

INSURANCE DIRECTOR: Kathy Gallatin – insurance@ngat.org NGAT News (usps 015-752) published quarterly by the National Guard Association of Texas, 3706 Crawford Avenue, Austin, Texas 78731-6308.

Periodicals postage paid at Austin, Texas 78710 and additional offices. POSTMASTER SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: NGAT News, 3706 Crawford Avenue, Austin, Texas 78731-6308 MEMBERS MAY EMAIL ADDRESS CHANGES TO: membership@ngat.org

ON THE COVER: EANGUS Area IV members along with EANGUS Auxiliary members enjoy a dinner in Austin, Texas following a day of meeting. For details concerning the conference visit page 20. (Photo by COL (Ret) Frank Zuniga)

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PRESIDENT’S REPORT NGAT MEMBERS, Here we are, starting a new year, 2020! Hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year with family and friends. NGAT has a lot going on and we are looking forward to a very successful year. The “NGAT Holiday Open House” was a great success. First place in our Chili Cook-off went to MSG (Ret) Theresa Billeck-Zuniga. Our other contestants were SFC Gilbert Guerra, Anna Hariharan, CW4 (Ret) Terri Marshall, Col (Ret) Frank Zuniga and MSgt (Ret) Scott Wade. It was a fun time to just relax and mingle with NGAT members. There is still time to participate in the NGAT “MEMBERSHIP DRIVE CONTEST” going on. First place receives $500 to the individual or unit who recruits the highest number of new members. We are also awarding $300 to the 2nd place winner and $200 to the 3rd place winner. We will also award a $100 Amazon gift card as an Honorable Mention to the individual or unit with the most renewals of current or former NGAT members. Sooooooo get out there and start recruiting. During the January Board of Directors meeting, after proper and due process, the Board of Directors considered and reviewed 36 Bylaw changes. Of the changes that were submitted only 25 Bylaw changes were approved by the Board of Directors. The remaining Bylaw changes were sent back to committee for additional work and research for presentation to the membership in the future. The Bylaw changes that were approved by the Board of Director covered the following areas: • Administrative changes and housekeeping changes • NGAT Mission Update • Clarification for term of service for NGAT Board Members • Committee representation and update of standing committees • Changes required for legal purposes and requirements of the IRS A complete list of bylaw changes can be found on the main page of the NGAT website at www.ngat.org.

THE NGAT HOLIDAY CHILI COOK-OFF was a success with 6 contestants. Members at the Holiday Open House were able to sample each chili and vote for who they thought should win. First place went to MSG (Ret) Theresa Billeck-Zuniga, NGAT Deputy Executive Director. Pictured are the chili cooks from left to right: SFC Gilbert Guerra; Anna Hariharan – NGAT Accountant; MSG (Ret) Theresa Billeck-Zuniga; CW4 (Ret) Terri Marshall – NGAT Administrative Assistant; MSgt (Ret) Scott Wade – Membership Assistant; and COL (Ret) Frank Zuniga (not pictured). Time to start working on your recipe for next year. 4 | N a t i o n a l G u a r d A s s o c i a t i o n o f Te x a s

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NGAT hosted the EANGUS Area IV Mid-Winter Conference in Austin on January 17-18, 2020. We welcomed EANGUS members from Louisiana, Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Missouri. See page 20 for the conference update. Our 61st Annual NGAT Conference is almost here and will be held at the Irving Convention Center in Irving, Texas, March 26-29, 2020. Our conference theme is “Unleash the Power from Within.” Our Awards Banquet speaker will be CSM John F. Sampa, the 12th Command Sergeant Major of the Army National Guard, and fellow Texan. I hope you will make plans to attend. Come on Friday and participate in the Texas License to Carry Certification Class that will be offered to conference attendees free of charge. Check out page 6 for more planned conference activities. NEED MONEY FOR COLLEGE? We are still accepting applications for the NGAT Educational Foundation Scholarships program. Submit your application by the DEADLINE which is February 14, 2020. Application can be downloaded at http://NGAT.org/education.htm I would like to encourage all our members to get involved and to participate in our Association activities. We are only as good as our members — so if you’re interested in participating, please contact a board member, our executive director, or a member of the NGAT staff and get involved. Wishing you all lots of happiness, good health and wealth for the New Year! H

Priscilla Leger, CCM, Retired NGAT President

NGAT WAS HONORED TO HAVE FOUR PAST PRESIDENTS IN ATTENDANCE AT OUR HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE. Pictured left to right are: CSM (Ret) Billie S. Abernathy (83-84); CCMSgt (Ret) Priscilla Leger (Current NGAT President); COL (Ret) Garry D. Patterson (88-89); MSG (Ret) Theresa Billeck-Zuniga (06-07); and COL (Ret) Rodney McNelley (93-94). With only 28 living NGAT Past Presidents it’s always a pleasure to have them participate in our events.

L E G I S L A T I V E President Donald Trump signed the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Dec. 20 in a ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, MD. This landmark legislation culminates the many efforts ranging from grassroots visits at home to coordinated campaigns from NGAT with NGAUS and EANGUS on Capitol Hill over a period of time ranging from months to decades.

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Part-time Benefits Specialists Wanted

Highlights of the 2020 Defense Budget Pay Raise: Increases the pay of all members of the armed forces by 3.1%, the largest pay raise in nearly a decade. No New Tricare Fees: Congress approved no new fees or pharmacy increases in 2020. However previously agreed upon increases for medical and pharmacy copays will take effect in January 2020. Credit Toward Retirement: For those National Guard and Reserve servicemembers who served on 12304B orders, such service will now count toward their active duty time to lower the age they can receive retirement pay at. Space Force: Establishes the U.S. Space Force in Title 10 as the sixth Armed Services of the United State, under the U.S. Air Force. Tricare Reserve Select: The NDAA extends Tricare Reserve Select to certain Reservists who are currently covered under a federal health benefits plan. Professional Licenses for Military Spouses: Doubles the reimbursement amount for state licensure expenses incurred by military spouses as they move their families around the country. Widows Tax: Elimination of the “widows tax.” Families will receive their full benefits payouts phased in over three years, starting Jan 1, 2021. Medical Malpractice: Provides a framework of redress for servicemembers who have suffered from medical malpractice. The NDAA authorizes payment up to $100,000 by DoD judges and higher amounts by the Department of Treasury. Military Strength: Increase in military strength number for all branches of the service. Paid Parental Leave for Federal Employees: Provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave for federal employees. Transfer of G.I. Bill: Service members with more than 16 years in the military may continue to transfer their G.I. Bill education benefits to their dependents. Congress in the 2020 NDAA killed a plan by the Defense Department to do away with an upper limit for transferring those benefits. However, service members still must have a minimum of six years in the military to transfer their college tuition assistance benefits to a family member. They also must commit to another four years on active duty or in the Selected Reserve. H ON JANUARY 13, 2020, GOV. GREG ABBOTT

The National Guard Association of Texas (NGAT) is looking to hire Benefits Specialists to assist the Association with unit visits to Texas National Guard units in their home area. The Benefits Specialist would help promote NGAT benefits, membership, scholarships, and the State Sponsored Life Insurance (SSLI) Program. This is a perfect job for a military retiree wanting to stay active and connected to Guard units and members in their area. Benefits Specialists must be a member of NGAT and have a Texas General Lines Insurance License or be able to obtain one. The job would require you to visit National Guard units in your home area on a limited basis. Please contact Kathy Gallatin or Terri Marshall at 512-454-7300 for further details or email your resume to insurance@ngat.org. H

Exhibit at the NGAT Conference Do you have a product or service that would be of interest to members of the Texas Military Department or military veterans? Why not consider exhibiting at the NGAT Conference. We have various levels of sponsorship available. Maybe you have a home-based business or handmade product that you sell. For as little as $25 you could set up a booth in our silent auction area and sell your products. Contact CW4 (Ret) Terri Marshall at tmarshall@ngat.org for more information or visit the conference page on our website to sign up.

presented former Texas Army National Guard Soldier Jack Wilson with the Governor’s Medal of Courage to honor his brave actions during the West Freeway Church of Christ shooting. The courageous actions of Jack Wilson’s saved many lives and the State of Texas is grateful. W i n t e r 2 0 2 0 H N a t i o n a l G u a r d A s s o c i a t i o n o f Te x a s |

ence will be held er nf Co AT NG al nu An st 61 e Th ng Convention vi Ir e th at 20 20 9, -2 26 ch Mar ng, Texas. Center at Las Colinas in Irvi Registration

Conference Optional Events

Golf Tournament at Bear Creek Golf Club — Shotgun, Florida

All attendees must pay the registration fee. Registration fee included in meal package prices. • Registration fee is $15.00 per NGAT member/guest and $30 for a non-NGAT member/guest.

scramble. The golf tournament is open to both registered and nonregistered attendees of the conference. Registration includes green fee, cart, breakfast tacos, lunch and award. Tournament benefits the NGAT Educational Foundation.

Meal Packages

The Annual 5K Fun Run/Walk — Come enjoy a leisure run/walk

Includes registration fee, general sessions, exhibits, breakouts, welcome party, Saturday lunch and Saturday Dinner. • NGAT Life Member/Guest Meal Package & Registration fee is $150. • NGAT Annual Member/Guest Meal Package & Registration fee is $160. • Non-NGAT Member/Guest Meal FROM Package & Registration fee is $175. (The deadline for online meal packages is March 18, 2020) • A $20 late fee will be added to all registrations received after March 11, 2020. • All cancellation requests must be received prior to February 12, 2020

along Lake Carolyn on Friday morning. The registration fee includes a t-shirt, award medals and refreshments.

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17th Annual Silent Auction — Bid on over 200 auction items and take advantage of some great bargains on gift baskets, jewelry, weekend getaways, and tickets to music, sports and other entertainment venues. Donations for the auction are always accepted at the NGAT office and on site.

Wine Tasting — Sip, savor, relax and

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enjoy some exquisite wines at our wine tasting at a cool venue in the Toyota Music Factory called the Nosh & Bottle Market.

IRVING Westin Hotels & Resorts, 400 West Welcome Party — The Welcome Party Las Colinas Boulevard, reception menu includes a Salad, Chicken Fried Chicken, Blackened Irving, Texas 75039 Catfish, Potatoes, Green Beans, Biscuits, Desserts, and ice-cold • Make your reservations directly with the hotel at: 1-972-505-2900. refreshments. Come enjoy our Karaoke by Dark n Lovely Productions Make sure to identify yourself as a member of the National Guard along with Game Night. You don’t want to miss the hidden talent Association of Texas. within this organization. Enter in the Karaoke Contest or the Cornhole • Attendee Hotel rate: $145 single/double plus tax per night. tournament and have some fun playing Giant Jenga, Giant Connect Four, • Hotel reservations can also be made online at the NGAT website. dominos, cards and so much more. Come prepared to eat some great (NGAT cannot guarantee rooms after March 4, 2020) food and have a fun-filled night of networking and socializing with friends.

Attire

• NGAT Business Session: Business Casual •N GAT Banquet: Army – Class A/Service Dress/Mess Dress; Air – Mess Dress/Service Dress. Civilians – Business Suit/Evening Formal Wear. Spouses – After-Five Attire.

Spouse Luncheon — Enjoy door prizes with a leisurely lunch, and guest speaker LTC Kathleen Sharp. LTC Sharp is a Soldier, Doctor, Author and co-author of the book “Superwoman Survival Stories.” She is sure to provide some entertaining tales of multitasking to the max.

Saturday Awards Banquet — Come enjoy a great meal with friends and listen to our guest speaker the Command Sergeant Major of the Army National Guard, and fellow Texan, CSM John F. Sampa. NGAT will also present the Minuteman Award and Hospitality Award. After dinner, guests will have the opportunity to visit hospitality suites.

Hospitality Suites — Will be located in the Westin Hotels & Resorts. Units will compete for the “Best Themed Hospitality Suite” Award.

NGAT Prayer Breakfast — Close out the conference with a delicious breakfast, fellowship and prayer on Sunday morning. For more information visit the NGAT website at www.NGAT.org. 6 | N a t i o n a l G u a r d A s s o c i a t i o n o f Te x a s

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NGAT W E L C O M E P A R T Y

KARAOKE CONTEST

T H IG N E M A G & E K O A R A K 1st Place $100 Cash 2nd Place $50 Amazon Gift Card 3rd Place $25 Amazon Gift Card

! T O G U O Y T A H W S U SHOW March 27, 2020 | Irving Convention Center

Come enjoy Food, Fun, Music and Games W i n t e r 2 0 2 0 H N a t i o n a l G u a r d A s s o c i a t i o n o f Te x a s |

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GOLF TOURNAMENT Friday, March 27, 2020 8:00 a.m. Start Florida Scramble Shotgun Start

Registration Fee includes: Green fees, cart, breakfast tacos, lunch, goodie bags and prizes

$95.00 per person Help us raise money for Scholarships that benefit members of the Texas National Guard and their dependents! Participate in the Dixon Golf Challenge on a Par 3 and Par 5 during the tournament for prizes • Tournament open to the public • Singles and teams welcomed • NGAT Conference registration not required • Tournament games and raffle prizes For more info: ngat.org/golf_tournament.htm 3500 Bear Creek Dallas, Texas

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Command Sergeant Major of the Army National Guard to speak at NGAT Awards Banquet NGAT is proud to have one of our very own as our Awards Banquet Guest Speaker, Command Sergeant Major John F. Sampa. CSM Sampa joined the United States Army on April 30, 1987 and has served in the Army National Guard and the United States Army for more than 30 years. He completed basic training as a Tank Armored Crewman at Fort Knox in Kentucky. CSM Sampa was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major on April 8. 2009. Prior to becoming the Command Sergeant Major of the Army National Guard, CSM Sampa served as the Command Sergeant Major for the 36th Infantry Division from December 2013 to March 2017. He also served as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Texas Military Department from March 2017 to February 2018. CSM Sampa has been mobilized for combat duty three times and deployed overseas for combat operations in Bosnia from August 1999 to October 2000, Iraq from July 2004 to August 2006, and Iraq again from July 2009 to November 2010. NGAT is proud to call him a Life Member and the Command Sergeant Major of the Army National Guard. He is looking forward to speaking at our conference and seeing all of the Texas Soldiers and Airmen he so proudly served with. H

LTC Kathleen Sharp, 72nd IBCT Brigade Surgeon, to Speak at Spouses Luncheon Kathleen Elizabeth Sharp holds many titles: Daughter, Mother, Sister, Friend, Niece, Auntie, Doctor, Mentor, Counselor, Teammate, Coach, Leader, Soldier and Provider. None of these titles truly sum up the total of who she is. Dr. Sharp is a woman of God, a human becoming and a lifelong student of life itself. Many would say she is a Superwoman, but she would say she is super because of all the people who have sewn seeds into her life. This best-selling author, New England basketball hall of fame inductee, and proud mother of two sets of twins is humbly thankful for all she has been blessed with. Her mantra for life comes from Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” How she measures her own success comes from her own mantra, “Success is measured by how many lives you impact in a positive way.” Dr. Kathleen Elizabeth Sharp is constantly changing as she strives to live a life that will have a positive impact on the world around her. She is the co-author of the book “Superwoman Survival Stories.” H

Free License to Carry Certification Training at the NGAT Conference NGAT is pleased to offer a Texas License to Carry (LTC) Certification Training at the NGAT Conference on Friday, March 27, 2020 from 0800 to 1200 at the Irving Convention Center. The course if free of charge for registered NGAT Conference attendees. Our instructor is an NRA pistol instructor and is licensed through the Texas Department of Public Safety (TDPS) as an LTC instructor. This class is a 4-hour block of instruction that fulfills the TDPS classroom training requirement to receive your LTC. Fingerprint services are not included with this class. All attendees should bring their drivers license to the class. Students will receive instruction pertaining to deadly force, dispute resolution, concealed handgun laws, gun safety and storage, selection of a concealed carry gun and legislative changes. Attendees must also be at least 21 years of age and not be a convicted felon. Active duty military or veterans that have proof of firearms familiarization training or shooting scores dated within the past 10 years may submit their military training certifications documents with the LTC applications to cover the shooting portion of the licensing requirements. You will not be going to the range during this course. To sign up for the course go to www.ngat.org. H

Breakout Session to Discuss 3m Earplug Lawsuits Separating Myth from Reality We’ve all been bombarded on social media ads regarding 3M Earplugs. Attorney and NGAT Life Member Doug O’Connell will break it all down for you so you can make an educated decision about pursuing your claim. Doug will answer your questions as well as these gems: • Is this a Class Action Lawsuit where only the lawyers make money? • How much money is my claim worth? • I thought you couldn’t sue anyone for COL (Ret) Doug O’Connell injuries in the line of duty? Doug will also answer general questions about common legal issues facing service members and answer your legal questions. H

Veterans Treatment Court Program

Join us at a breakout session with Judge Forrest C. Beadle, County Criminal Court Judge, Denton County as he discusses the Veterans Treatment Court Program. This program is a resource that should be known to all Texas Veterans. Veterans Treatment Courts are programs specifically designed for those service members with a service-related injury or disorder that have been charged with a crime.

Judge Forrest C. Beadle Presiding Judge County Criminal Court No. 3 Denton County, Texas

A Veterans Treatment Court judge better understands the issues that a veteran may be struggling with, such as substance addiction, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, and military sexual trauma. A Veterans Treatment Court judge is also more familiar with the Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefit Administration, State Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Service Organizations, and volunteer Veteran Mentors and how they all can assist veteran defendants. The focus is placed on counseling and treatment of underlying conditions rather than on punishment. Veterans Treatment Courts act as a “one-stop shop,” linking veterans with the programs, benefits, and services they have earned. The goal of the court is to provide a pathway within the criminal justice system to get our combat veterans’ lives back on track.” H W i n t e r 2 0 2 0 H N a t i o n a l G u a r d A s s o c i a t i o n o f Te x a s |

NGAT Educational

Foundation Scholarship Deadline is February 14

The National Guard Association of Texas Educational Foundation (NGATEF) will continue to accept scholarship application through February 14, 2020. Multiple scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 will be awarded to annual and/or life members of the National Guard Association of Texas and/or their spouses, sons or daughters. High school seniors, college undergraduates and graduate students will be considered for these educational scholarships. Two scholarships have very specific requirements, so if you meet these requirements we encourage you to apply for an NGATEF scholarships. • One scholarship is available for an NGAT member currently serving in the Texas State Guard or a spouse/child of an NGAT member currently serving in the Texas State Guard. • One scholarship is available to an enlisted NGAT Member currently serving in the Texas Army or Air National Guard. Visit www.ngat.org/education.htm to download the scholarship application. H

NGAT Award Nominations Now Being Accepted

Donations Wanted for Silent Auction

The NGAT Awards Program is designed to recognize NGAT members who provided exceptional service and outstanding contributions to NGAT. The program also recognizes NGAT members who have been involved in acts of heroism that involved risk of life or personal safety or extreme acts of humanitarianism involving the saving of a life or the attempt to save a life. Deadline for nominations is March 6, 2020.

SERVICE AWARDS:

• NGAT Minuteman Award • Davy Crockett Award • Jose Navarro Award • Spirit of Texas Award

HEROISM AWARDS:

• General K.L. Berry Award • LTC James A. Spring Humanitarianism Award

Visit the NGAT website for submission requirements and criteria. www.ngat.org/awards.htm H

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The Texas National Guard Foundation (TNGF) is preparing for our 17th Annual Silent Auction. This fundraising event is very important to us. It is our one and only fundraiser each year and it will provide us with the means to support our programs and extraordinary needs through the year. Our auction will be held during the 61st Annual National Guard Association of Texas (NGAT) Conference in Irving, Texas, March 26-29, 2020. The TNGF is a 501c(3) not for profit organization committed to making a difference in the lives of National Guard Soldiers, Airmen, veterans and their families. HOW CAN YOU HELP? Contribute an item(s) to the Silent Auction! The type of items that have been donated previously are gift cards, theme baskets, event tickets, homemade goods and crafts, wine and spirits — just to name a few. Donations can be dropped off at the NGAT office or brought to the NGAT Conference. Your support of any kind is greatly appreciated. H

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W i n t e r 2 0 2 0 H N a t i o n a l G u a r d A s s o c i a t i o n o f Te x a s |

SSGT JACQUELYN MONTOYA, assigned to the 149th Medical Group’s Detachment 1, and TSgt Anthony Montejo, discuss emergency response capabilities with Lt Gen Brad Webb, commander of the Air Education and Training Command, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Leadership from AETC and the National Guard, toured the wing in a joint force effort to learn more about the wing’s people and mission.

SAN ANTONIO

HOUSTON CONGRATULATIONS TO SSG MICHAEL MORANCIE who was presented with the “Eagle Award” at the Director’s Strength Maintenance Annual Conference (DSMAC) in San Antonio, Texas. The Eagle Award is presented to the Recruiting and Retention NCO with the most accessions in the National Guard across the nation.

FORT WORTH FOURTEEN AIRMEN WITH THE 254TH COMBAT COMMUNICATIONS GROUP recently returned home from a 6-month deployment to the CENTCOM AOR (Central Command Area of Responsibility) in support of Operations Freedom Centennial and Juniper Micron. These Texas Air National Guard members conducted combat communications operations servicing that area of the world.

BASTROP

AUSTIN ON JANUARY 7, SOLDIERS FROM THE TEXAS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD SPECIAL OPERATIONS DETACHMENT — AFRICA along with the commander of the 71st Troop Command, BG Charles “Chuck” Aris presented Governor Greg Abbott with a Texas flag that they flew in Syria during their deployment. 12 | N a t i o n a l G u a r d A s s o c i a t i o n o f T e x a s

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THE BASTROP COMMUNITY CAME OUT IN FORCE TO SUPPORT THE HEROES AND HOT RODS EVENT on Veterans Day weekend to honor local veterans. Pictured on the front row, left to right: LTC (Ret) Willie Pina, Bastrop Mayor Connie Schroeder and Bastrop County Commissioner Precinct 4 Donna Snowden. Back row, left to right: SFC (Ret) Michael J. Mallicote, Purple Heat Chapter 1919 Senior Vice Commander Carl Rees, Bastrop County Honor Guard Chaplain Mike Keppler, BG Charles M. Schoening Assistant Adjutant General – Army, COL (Ret) Anthony E. Poletti and Bastrop Mayor Pro-Tem Lyle Nelson. (Photo by Dock Jackson)

EL PASO

PORT ISABEL THE ASSISTANT DIVISION COMMANDER – OPERATIONS of the 36th Infantry Division, BG Win Burkett, visited the Texas and Alabama National Guard Soldiers of Task Force Gunslingers in the El Paso Sector, Nov 21, 2019. He spoke with troops, toured several U.S. Border Patrol stations and a U.S. Customs and Border Protection port of entry and spoke with USBP and USCBP commanders VIETNAM VETERANS FROM THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY were honored during a pinning ceremony hosted by U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville. The ceremony, which was held in Port Isabel is part of the Vietnam about the impact his Soldiers are making to their operations. (Photo by SPC Christina Clardy) War 50th Commemoration program that recognizes veterans and their families for their service. Pictured left UNIT MEMBERS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS of the 147th Attack Wing had a great time at the to right are: BG Greg Chaney, Commander Texas Army National Guard; 1SG (Ret) Armando Estrella who was Salute to Service concert and BBQ sponsored by the Houston USO at Ellington Field. The recognized during the ceremony; SFC (Ret) Arnie Rodriguez, PAO for the Port Isabel Veterans United Group; event includes BBQ with musical entertainment by Cody Wayne and the Josh Abbott Band, and MAJ (P) Rodney Kelley from the Texas National Guard Government Affairs office. with a guest appearance from the Houston Texans mascot, players and cheerleaders.

HOUSTON

SAN ANTONIO SFC CARLA HENRY proudly stands with the Command Sergeant Major of the Army National Guard, CSM John F. Sampa after receiving the Texas Director’s 54 award at the Director’s Strength Maintenance Annual Conference (DSMAC) in San Antonio, Texas. The Director’s 54 Award is given annually to the top recruiter in each of the fifty states.

AUSTIN

NGAT BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER, MAJ (P) GEORGE HURD was the guest speaker for Wreaths Across America at the Texas House of Representatives on December 9, 2019. Following his presentation, he participated in a wreath laying ceremony at the Texas State Cemetery.

AUSTIN THIS PAST CHRISTMAS, one of the most popular and best-known outreach programs of the Texas State Guard reached a new benchmark. During the 2019 season, the Texas State Guard (TXSG) Toy Drive collected over 100,000 toys, which brought a smile to the faces of hospitalized and homeless children across the Lone Star State. SFC John Gately, the Young Heroes of the Guard Toy Drive Coordinator for the last 6 years, reports that the final tally by Christmas Day was 104,604 toys, with a retail value of over $500,000. Since its inception in 2009, Young Heroes of the Guard has collected and distributed more than 349,000 toys. W i n t e r 2 0 2 0 H N a t i o n a l G u a r d A s s o c i a t i o n o f Te x a s |

Reorganization of the

Texas State Guard The following is a letter from Major General Robert J. Bodisch, Sr., Commander of the Texas State Guard. Since 1941, our dedicated troops have answered the call time and again when our State and fellow Texans needed us most. The State’s reliance on its own military forces was most recently validated during Hurricane Harvey — two years ago — when highly trained and mission-ready members of the Texas State Guard (TXSG) proved their value by rescuing, sheltering, treating, comforting and supporting thousands of Texans in the aftermath of one of the largest and most dangerous storms to hit our nation. All the members of the TXSG can be deservedly proud of what we have accomplished together. One thing we know with certainty is that in order to maintain our position as the premier State Guard organization in the United States, we must have the flexibility to adapt to changing conditions, circumstances and threats which will allow us to be more efficient and effective in carrying out our duties and responsibilities on behalf of the people of Texas and the Texas Military Department (TMD).

Robert J. Bodisch, Sr. Major General Commander, Texas State Guard

We’ve been successful over time because we have transformed as situations, requirements and the environment has changed. And in order to remain relevant we need to continue to evolve. A number of things have occurred in the past two years which have allowed us the advantage to do just that — and together, we can continue to lead the way for a TXSG, second to none and world-class, when evaluated on performance of the tasks expected of us. First, the TXSG has implemented several changes designed to enhance the professionalization of the force and the organization. We have transformed to one uniform, so we are one force, ending the confusion of a multitude of uniforms. More importantly, our uniform change brought the organization into legal compliance with statutory authority. Second, we made a full-court press with the Texas legislature to secure additional funding to support an expanded force, as well as equipment and training. The legislature provided an additional $2m added to our current base-line budget of $3.4m, for a total of $5.4m for the FY 20-21 biennium. Our plan is to pay 4 days at annual training and additional training dollars for specialized training, in addition to adding seven new full-time state employees (FTEs). Three of these new FTEs will be full-time recruiters located in the major metropolitan areas of the state and the other four FTEs will be located at TXSG headquarters to support administrative and operational functions. Third, out of the Hurricane Harvey after-action reports, it was determined that in order to perform seamlessly in support of civil authorities, the TXSG needs to be more closely aligned with the state Disaster Districts as defined by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM). The Adjutant General, MG Tracy Norris, the Component Commanders, and I all agreed to proceed continued next page

TEXAS STATE GUARD MEMBERS completed the grueling 24-hour METL Forge challenge that tested guard members both physically and mentally at Camp Maxey, Powderly, Texas, November 8-10, 2019. The challenge included knowledge of TXSG history & skills in land nav, first aid, search and rescue, and PT.

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with the plan we’ve been discussing for some time to transform the TXSG from a componentbased model to four regional commands. By merging our four service-based components, with different policies, regulations, uniforms and cultures into a single TXSG structure, aligned around one mission and one culture, we will set the conditions for our future success.

appropriate state disaster district personnel relationships in a more compact area rather than trying to accomplish this function state-wide. Effective January 1, 2020, the component headquarters will be replaced by four Regional Commands based on the districts used by our emergency management partners. I am pleased to announce the Regional Commanders will be as follows:

This transformation will best support the TDEM and the TMD. This transformation will also reduce the span of control for the Regional Command and staff, whereas, currently for example, Component Commanders have to travel across the entire state in order to have visibility of all their respective units. Regionalization reduces the statewide footprint to a more manageable area of responsibility.

Regions 1 & 5: BG Robert Hastings Region 2: BG Marco Coppola Regions 3 & 4: BG Thomas Ball Region 6: BG Joe Cave

Regionalization will also alleviate long drill travel distances for many of our members; your current residence determines your region for drills. Regionalization will also assist Regional Commands in furthering and developing the

Each Regional Commander has been tasked with identifying and building their command teams and organizations over the next 90 days. This will require the support and cooperation of each and every member in their respective commands. In undertaking our transformation to regionalization, it should be clear to everyone that our Mission Ready Packages (MRPs) will not change. We will continue our focus on the

MRPs that are at the core of our capabilities: shelter operations, SOC, SAR-R, ETN, Maritime operations, Dive operations, APOE/APOD and others to be developed as required. A healthy and positive attitude with respect to this transformation will go a long way in ensuring our success now and in the coming years. There will be many questions as we undertake this transformation. The regional commanders and I are committed to providing you detailed information as decisions are made and questions arise. For now, know that your service is a testament to a higher calling of selfless service to your fellow Texans. Be proud of who you are and proud you are a member of the country’s premier State Guard. Only a very small percentage of our state’s population serves in the Texas State Guard, making you part of an elite group of Texans who are willing to serve and sacrifice for the benefit of all Texans. On behalf of the Adjutant General of Texas, myself and the entire leadership team, thank you for your service and know that we are personally are very proud of each of you. H

One Team, One Mission, One Texas State Guard

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Be a professional and join the Texas National Guard’s Professional Association (NGAT)! We challenge you or your unit to sign up as many new members as possible to NGAT from October 15 through March 1, 2020. The membership drive is designed as a competitive way to gain new members in NGAT and to also increase NGAT’s voice at the national level. This contest provides motivated members or units with cash prizes!

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE First Place — $500 Awarded to individual or unit who recruits the highest number of new NGAT Members

Second Place — $300 Awarded to individual or unit who recruits the second highest number of new NGAT Members

Third Place — $200 Awarded to individual or unit who recruits the third highest number of new NGAT Members

WHY JOIN?

• Have a voice! NGAT is an advocate on your behalf regarding Texas Guard issues • Networking — It’s not just who you know (but it kind of is) • Get Involved — Serve on a committee

Honorable Mention — $100 Amazon Gift Card

• Because professionals belong to Professional

Awarded to individual or unit with the most renewals of current or former NGAT members

Winners will be announced and prizes awarded during the 2020 NGAT Conference in Irving, Texas.

Associations • Stay connected with Guard members through your Association • Members-Only Discounts • NGAT News Magazine • Educational Scholarships • Professional Development • Association Activities

SEE THE NGAT WEBSITE FOR CONTEST RULES

• Community Involvement • Low-Cost Life Insurance

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H Key Leadership Update H NGAT Life Member Stephanie A. Purgerson was recently selected as the Vice Commander, Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, United State Transportation Command, Norfolk, Virginia and was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in a ceremony held at Camp Mabry.

BG Stephanie A. Purgerson Vice Commander Joint Enabling Capabilities Command

BG Thomas P. Ball III Commander Texas State Guard Region 3 & 4

Col Sonya Batchelor State Staff Judge Advocate General for the Texas Military Department

Lt Col Daniel Rodriguez Jr. Commander 149th Medical Group

LTC Christopher Hanna Commander 449th Aviation Support Brigade

LTC Jamey Creek Commander 1-136th Regional Training Institute

LTC Erika Besser Texas National Guard Joint Counterdrug Task Force Coordinator

MAJ (P) Todd Casterline Commander 1-149th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion

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GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN…

CSM (RET) CLYDE WORRELL

On December 29, 2019 the National Guard Association of Texas lost a huge supporter in the passing of Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Clyde Worrell. CSM Worrell was fittingly born on July 4, 1946 in Waco, Texas. He entered the Texas Army National Guard in September 1965 and proudly served his country with the Texas Army National Guard and the United States Army for 40 years. During his career he served as an airborne infantryman, mortar crewman, mortar squad leader, mortar section sergeant, battalion ammunition sergeant, platoon leader and first sergeant. In October 1973 he was assigned to Company A 5-112th Armor as First Sergeant, a position he held for eleven years, first in an infantry MOS and later in an armor MOS. As a Sergeant Major Clyde served as the Operations Sergeant Major for 5-112th Armor, 7-112th Armor and 4-112th Armor. In July 1993, CSM Worrell was appointed as the State Command Sergeant Major for the Texas National Guard, a position he held for over twelve years. During his time as State Command Sergeant Major, the Texas National Guard evolved for a strategic reserve force to an operational force forward deployed in multiple combat roles. His wise counsel to the four adjutants’ generals whom he served as senior

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enlisted advisor was invaluable. His personal leadership and competency were nationally recognized, as he served on the National Guard Bureau’s CSM Advisory Council as a member, secretary, and later president of that body. NGAT is extremely grateful for the years of support the Association received from CSM Worrell for decades. In 1977 he was selected as the recipient of the NGAT Minuteman Award. For years CSM Worrell and his trusted colleague CCMSgt (Ret) Bill Maginot kept NGAT involved at the national level with their constant participation with the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS). Their participation ensured that our enlisted issues continued to have a voice on the national level. CSM Worrell and his wife Dorothy served as a host couple for the 2010 NGAUS Conference held in Austin, Texas and until recently they always served as co-host for the NGAT Retiree Hospitality room at the NGAT Conference. CSM Worrell is survived by this beloved wife of 52 years, Dorothy Worrell of Leroy; his daughter, Nikki Shreve of Leroy; his son, Clyde Wesley Worrell and wife Melisa of Crawford; and numerous grandchildren, a great grandson, and a great granddaughter, on the way. H

L E G A L

U P D A T E

A New Law Allows You to Sue the Government? YOU MAY HAVE HEARD THERE IS A NEW LAW THAT ALLOWS SERVICE MEMBERS TO SUE THE GOVERNMENT FOR NEGLIGENT TREATMENT. Unfortunately, that’s not completely true. For nearly 70 years the “Feres doctrine” has blocked service members from suing the government for injuries or death arising from military service. Military spouses and children have always been eligible to sue the government for wrongful injuries. Likewise, service members have always been able to sue defense contractors for faulty products and negligent actions. The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act allows, for the first time, service members to seek legal action and receive compensation when they are the victim of medical malpractice in DoD facilities. Service members harmed by medical malpractice can now file an administrative claim for compensation. For 2020, service members may file claims originating in 2017 or later. Starting next year, claims must be filed within 2 years of the malpractice incident. If the service member dies as a result of the malpractice, the surviving family members may file a claim. Other types of injuries and wrongful conduct are still barred under Feres. National Guard service members may only file claims under this new law if in federal status when the malpractice occurs. So if you are hurt during a drill weekend and treated at a military hospital, any resulting injuries due to malpractice would not be eligible for compensation. Reservist on the other hand would be covered under this same scenario.

The Department of Defense has established procedures to investigate claims of medical malpractice. Importantly, the DoD also gets to determine what amount of compensation victims will receive, and the government will not pay attorneys fees. Attorneys representing service members may only charge a fee up to 20% of any amount paid by the government. Doug O’Connell is a retired TXARNG Colonel who focuses on representing military service members, veterans, first responders and their family members. Doug@DougOConnell.com. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Guard Association of Texas or the Texas Military Department. H

G.I. Bill Credit for Guardsmen Participate in the “Transformed Serving on the Southern Border By EANGUS” Fitness Challege NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS DEPLOYED TO THE SOUTHERN U.S. BORDER FOR ONGOING MILITARY ASSISTANCE OPERATIONS will now have that time counted towards GI Bill benefits eligibility under a new memorandum signed by Defense Secretary Mark Esper. Lawmakers who had pushed for the A SOLDIER FROM THE TEXAS NATIONAL deployment to count towards the education payouts praised the move as a GUARD scans the shores of the Rio Grande River fair and overdue decision. The policy will in Starr County, Texas, as part of the federal callup to the Texas-Mexico border. (Photo by SGT Mark Otte) be retroactive to February 15, 2019, when President Donald Trump declared a national emergency along the southern U.S. border in order to direct military resources (including construction funds) to ongoing Department of Homeland Security operations there. The move immediately gives thousands of guardsmen access to Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, since they need only 90 days of active-duty service to qualify. To receive full benefits — which include 36 months of in-state college tuition, a monthly living stipend and other payouts — individuals need three full years on active duty. But the 90-day mark is significant for many guardsmen because it makes them eligible for at least 40 percent of the full benefit, which still totals thousands of dollars in tuition payments. In August of next year, that will rise to 50 percent for anyone with 90 days active-duty service. H

NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE ON YOUR FITNESS JOURNEY the “Transformed By EANGUS” Fitness Challenge is for you. You must be an EANGUS member to participate in the challenge. EANGUS encourages your family and friends to join the challenge as well! Just have them sign up as an EANGUS or associate member. Once they have done that, they can register for the challenge. The challenge runs from 20 January-13 April (12 weeks). You can join anytime during the challenge. During the challenge you will complete tasks to earn points. Everything counts for your transformation. Engage in friendly competition on the leaderboard. Share tips and tricks to help each other throughout the challenge. The cost to sign up is $10 and just a few minutes of your time. The challenge includes: • Support from the Fitness Committee with goal setting/mindset • Wodify Rise app to track points, progress, etc. • Support from your EANGUS community • Chance to win sweet prizes To sign up for the challenge or for additional information visit www.eangus.org. H

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NGAT Hosts EANGUS Area IV Mid-Winter Conference NGAT PLAYED HOST TO THE EANGUS AREA IV MID-WINTER CONFERENCE, JANUARY 17-18, 2020 IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. Over fifty EANGUS and EANGUS Auxiliary members came together from Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas to discuss EANGUS issues. Friday evening NGAT hosted a pizza social with games and karaoke. We had a lot of folks practicing for the NGAT Karaoke contest to be held at our Annual Conference in March. During the conference on Saturday we received reports from each area state president on activities within their states. Our Area IV Directors updated us on the activities of the EANGUS Board of Directors along with providing us details for the EANGUS Fitness Challenge and information concerning the EANGUS Membership Drive contest. The area voted to approved changes to the EANGUS Area IV Standing Rules that authorized limited travel reimbursement to the Area IV Secretary and Treasurer for the EANGUS MidWinter Conference and EANGUS National Conference. Also discussed were potential upcoming bylaw changes that may be submitted for consideration at the national conference along with plans for the Area IV hospitality room and activities for the All States Night in Little Rock, Arkansas. For additional details concerning activities the EANGUS Mid-Winter Conference visit our website at https://eangusarea4.org/. Area IV was honored to have two former Command Chiefs of the Air National Guard in attendance at our conference: CCM (Ret) Richard Green (4th) and CCM (Ret) Richard Smith (9th). The conference concluded with a dinner that included musical entertainment by local Austin musician “Brady Davis.” Special thanks goes out to USAA for sponsoring our conference. H

Apply for EANGUS Scholarships There are two types of EANGUS scholarships available. The CSM Virgil R. Williams and the Patriot Scholarships are paid by EANGUS directly to the school the selectee is attending. The second type of scholarships are presented by specific universities that EANGUS has partnered with. Go to www.eangus.org and select “Scholarship Information” at the top of the page to review the requirements to apply for the scholarships. You must be a member of EANGUS in order to apply for any of these scholarships. Some scholarships are open to the spouse and/or the dependents of the EANGUS member. EANGUS sponsored scholarship are available from the following universities:

American Intercontinental University Colorado Technical University Excelsior College Grantham University Grand Canyon University University of Phoenix USAA

Deadline to apply for most scholarships is May 1, 2020 unless otherwise specified on the website. Don’t forget NGAT Annual Membership for enlisted personnel includes membership in EANGUS. For NGAT Life Members it is only $11.00 to become a EANGUS Annual Member of $110.00 to become a EANGUS Life member. H 20 | N a t i o n a l G u a r d A s s o c i a t i o n o f T e x a s

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Explore Guard History at NGAUS 2020 in Boston The National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) Conference is months away but there is no time like the present to make plans to attend this epic event in a location that is rich with National Guard history. Texas has been assigned the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel located less than three miles from Boston Logan Airport steps away from downtown attractions and located in the vibrant Seaport District. Room rates are $280 per night plus tax. The Governor’s Reception will be held at the dynamic outdoor event space called the Lawn on D. The Lawn on D is located adjacent to the Convention Center and will feature outdoor games, prime time entertainment and of course a Taste of New England food and beverage. Those attending the Spouse/Guest luncheon will experience a harbor cruise on the Spirit of Boston. The Spirit of Boston is designed for fun and incredible harbor views. There is no better way to see the city than aboard a Spirit of Boston lunch cruise. The Company Grade/Warrant Officer Mixer will be at the Artist for Humanities EpiCenter. The Center is one of Boston’s hottest event venues. For the Fun Run you will be bussed from the downtown hotels to historic Concord, MA where you will run on the legendary Battle Road National Historic trail. The trail turns through historic farming fields and revolutionary era homes and ends at the Old North Bridge where the country’s first militia “fired the shop heard round the world”. Other event being worked on include a Fenway Park Tours, Whale Watching and a Salem Muster Tour. Although the conference cost is expensive the experience is sure to be worth it. Visit www.ngat.org/ ngaus.htm for updates on conference activities. H

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TAPS As of 01-23-20

CSM Arthur P. Allen, Life Member #8279, Retired, Marlin

SFC Ben B. Twidwell, Life Member #656, Retired, San Marcos

**PFC Courtney L. Bailey, 294th QM CO, Austin

SPC Nelson Villegas, Retired, San Antonio

CW4 Wilmer G. Bane, Life Member #1622, Retired, Kerens

CSM Clyde W. Worrell, Life Member #5505, Retired, Leroy Former Texas Senior Enlisted Advisor

Mr. Charlie M. Barrett, Life Member #483, Retired, Waco SPC Floyd W. Bartoo, Life Member #30573, Retired, Fort Worth **SPC Shelton J. Benitez, A CO 1-143rd INF RGMT, Houston

*Had NGAT Life Insurance Policy **Had No-Cost Active Guard Policy of $1,000

Mr. Martin F. Carey Jr., Life Member #9818, Retired, Nederland Mr. Scott G. Castle, Retired, Brownsville *SGT Douglas W. Hart, Life Member #29101, Retired, Wichita Falls SFC Juan J. Jimenez, Life Member #4928, Retired, San Antonio TSgt Alfred R. Knippa, Life Member #9992, Retired, San Antonio SFC Timoteo Luna, Life Member #11289, Retired, San Antonio

LTC Glenn C. Meadows Life Member #527, Retired, Houston NGAT President 1986-1987

MSgt Kenneth J. Michels, Life Member #28439, Retired, Granbury Mr. William “Bill” F. Marker, Retired, Fredericksburg Mr. John D. Myers, Life Member #2514, Retired, Corsicana Mr. Jackie D. Pritchard, Life Member #11971, Retired, Gonzales MSgt Clarence D. Russell, Life Member #3862, Retired, Red Oak SSG Marion J. Stout, Life Member #24500, Retired, Shamrock

IF YOU ARE AWARE OF THE PASSING OF A CURRENT OR FORMER NATIONAL GUARD MEMBER, PLEASE NOTIFY US BY PHONE, MAIL OR EMAIL NGATNEWS@NGAT.ORG.

Corporate Sponsors

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PERIODICAL

National Guard Association of Texas 3706 Crawford Avenue Austin, Texas 78731-6308

ngat.org

PLANNING CALENDAR (As of January 31, 2020)

2020 10-11 Feb

EANGUS Legislative Workshop, Washington, D.C.

10-11 Feb

NGAUS Legislative Workshop, Washington D.C.

Feb

Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day (NGAT Office Closed)

Mar

NGAT Board Meeting, Irving

26-29 Mar

61st Annual NGAT Conference, Irving

Mar

NGAT Conference Recovery (NGAT Office Closed)

Apr

Good Friday (NGAT Holiday Observed)

26-27 Apr

NGAT Board Meeting, Austin

May

Memorial Day (NGAT Office Closed)

Jul

Independence Day Observed (NGAT Office Closed)

Jul

U.S. Army Birthday/Flag Day

9-12

Aug

EANGUS Annual Conference, Little Rock, AR

23-24 Aug

NGAT Board Meeting, Austin

28-31 Aug

NGAUS Annual Conference, Boston, MA