The Real Capital Guardian - STATES - The National Guard

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 CAPITAL GUARDIAN PAGE 2
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
NATIONAL GUARD
Volume 3, Issue 1
March 2006
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE:
Commander’s Column 1
Bronze
“Super Star”
Scholar Among the Ranks 2
372nd Military Police
Company Deploy
Hurricane Katrina 4
Army 10-Miler 6
A Hero’s Homecoming
“Jolly”
Black History Month
About Face - Kick Off
Honoring Rosa Parks 10 Bronze
1
2
7
8
9
Capital Guardian Staff
The Capital Guardian is published by
the Public Affairs Office, Joint Force
Headquarters - District of Columbia,
2001 East Capital Street, Washington,
DC 20003-1719, Tel. 202-685-9862,
Fax 202-685-9861.
It is an unofficial publication authorized
under the provisions of AR-360-8
and AFI 35-101. Opinions expressed
herein are not necessarily endorsed by
the Department of Defense. The
Capital Guardian is distrubted free to
DCNG members and to other interested
persons upon request. Circulation
is roughly 3000.
Commanding General
Maj. Gen. David F. Wherley, Jr.
DCNG Public Affairs Staff
1st Lt. Loneshia Reed, JFHQ-DC,
Public Affairs Officer
Staff Sgt Lorenzo Parnell, JFHQ-
DC, Public Affairs NCO
Published in the interest of the men and women of the Joint Force Headquarters, District of Columbia
Commander’s Column:
The operational tempo of the District of Columbia National
Guard continues to be busy. We have a substantial
number of forces supporting the War on Terrorism. As the
cycle of deployments continues, we soon will welcome back
15 individually-mobilized Military Police Officers and offerings
prayers and support to the 372 nd Military Police Battalion
currently serving in Iraq. We also are preparing the 275 th
Military Police Company and the 113th Wing for deployment
to Iraq. The featured article for this issue tells of the
outstanding support of Capital Guardians in support of Hurricane
Katrina relief efforts. Without a doubt, the DC Army
and Air National Guard have answered the call to duty above
every expectation and I would like to sincerely thank the
service members and their families for their commitment to
continued exemplary service.
In addition to our operational missions, we have also
moved forward in our vision to support the District of Columbia
through community-based programs. Our About
Cont on page 11
As the DC National Guard
deploys soldiers in support
of Operation Noble Eagle
and Iraqi Freedom, we continue
to show how well we
are trained and ready for
missions at home or abroad.
Such is the case with 1st
Lt.Yolonda Lee of the 140th
Transportation Company.
She was awarded the Bronze
Star Medal for her leadership
when a vehicle borne
improvised explosive device
struck her combat logistical
patrol.
The attack occurred west
of Tikrit, Iraq on June 28, 2005
Maj. Gen. David F. Wherley, Jr.
Commanding General, DC National
Guard
“Super Star”
1st Lt. Yolanda Lee received the Bronze Star Medal
for combat action while serving in Iraq.
killing one and wounding two
of her soldiers. She made the
decision to maneuver the
gun trucks to perform a rescue
of the trapped soldiers
and simultaneously conduct
cordon and search operations
detaining two Iraqi
insurgents. Her actions and
leadership were key in minimizing
injuries and also detaining
two persons. The
capture of persons suspected
of triggering the attack was
also instrumental in the company’s
recovery from its first
fatality.
While deployed to Iraq,
1st Lt. Lee was assigned to
the Minnesota National
Guard. She was selected as
the Officer in Charge for
serial three, a 15 truck serial
in the Ground Assault Convoy
logging over 590 miles
as they traveled to their Forward
Operations Base
(FOB). Assigned as Medium
Truck Platoon Leader for
Bravo Company of the 50th
Main Support Battalion and
42nd Infantry Division, Lee
says she not only had to gain
respect as a leader but also
had to gain the soldiers confidence.
She was one of the
Cont on page 8

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 CAPITAL GUARDIAN PAGE 3
Spc.Candice Karber awarded the
first military scholarship of its
kind.
“We have trained for this mission
and we’re ready to put that
training into action.”
Spc. Candice Karber has
been awarded the first
Smith College School for
Social Work Master Degree
program Scholarship for
Military Personnel. This
Scholarship guarantees full
tuition for the 27-month
Masters program currently
valued at approximately
39,000 dollars as well as
campus room and board
while serving in academic
residence.
Karber joined the DC
National Guard in Novem-
Scholar Among the Ranks
ber 1999 and currently
works as the administrative
assistant to the Chief of
Staff full-time. “It feels
remarkable and I was truly
shocked and excited when I
learned about the scholarship
I was blessed with,”
said Karber. “I expect to
gain a wealth of knowledge
about the Social Work Field
on the graduate level,” she
said.
According to Karber she
would have never known
about the scholarship if it
372nd Military Police Deploys
In today’s current climate,
National Guardsmen
are living with the reality
that deployment for the war
on terrorism is almost inevitable.
On December 16,
2005, the 372 nd Military
Police Battalion joined the
fight as they were deployed
to support Operation Iraqi
Freedom. Lt. Col. Aaron
Dean, unit commander,
expressed his resolve by
Barbaranette T. Bolden
made history when she became
the first female to be
promoted to the rank of
Brigadier General in the
DC National Guard in October
2005. Brig. Gen.
Bolden is the Commander
of the 260 th Military Police
Command which is comprised
of the 372 nd Military
Police Battalion
saying, “We have trained
for this mission and we’re
ready to put that training
into action.. I have confidence
in our staff and their
ability to get the job done,”
said Dean. “Our goal is to
go complete the mission
and return with the same
number of troops we left
with,” he said.
Prior to deploying, the
unit went through a two-
Making History
Police battalion, the 273 rd ,
274 th , 275 th , and 276 th Military
Police Companies.
Brig. Gen. Bolden is also
Commander of the Joint
Task Force for the District
of Columbia National
Guard where she is responsible
for the planning, coordination
and integration of
operations for the District
were not for 2nd Lt. Daniel
Cruz and Chief Warrant
Officer Betty Brown who
sent a flyer via e-mail. Her
career aspirations are to
teach at the graduate level
and in order to do that she
must have a Masters Degree.
Since her internship
will be in Washington, DC
at Walter Reed Army Medical
Center working with
Veterans and their families
Karber says, “I’m sure that
I will also renew and
strengthen my seven Army
Cont on page 9
month mobilization process
at Ft. Dix, NJ. The Ft. Dix
Mobilization Readiness
Team evaluated the Battalion
on their mission readiness
and unit capabilities.
Communications, logistics,
and overall performance
during training scenarios
were essential in determining
how well they would
perform in real life situations.
The Battalion was
Cont on page 8
of Columbia National
Guard involving support to
the District of Columbia
and Federal Agencies for
homeland defense and
homeland security. Brig.
Gen. Bolden is a graduate
of Forrest City High
School. She received a
Bachelor and Master of
Arts degree from Arkansas
Cont on page 9

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 CAPITAL GUARDIAN PAGE 4
Story By: Staff Sgt. Sean McEntee
Wing Supports Army 10-Miler
On October 2, 2005 an estimated 13,000 federal employees showed up to take part in the annual “Army Ten Miler,” a joint
service event run by the Outdoor Recreation Program and sponsored by outside civilian companies. Having been an annual tradition
for nearly 20 years, the race presents an opportunity to regular marathon runners looking for local competition, or beginners
looking for a fun way to improve their physical fitness and endurance.
Several members of the 113th Wing ran the race,
and others took part in the “Kids Zone,” an area devoted
to the children of race participants. This year’s
Kid Zone boasted representation from both Army and
Air Force Recruiters, as well as GEICO Insurance, and
Fitness Image & Results - a private company with
strong ties to the community of Arlington, Virginia.
Activities in this year’s Kid’s Zone included a full
warm-up coached by Bob Soandso - a fitness expert
from Fitness Image & Results, a 50 meter dash, and a
100 meter dash.
Coordinating different facets of the Kid’s Zone was
Lt. Col. Eric Gervais, 113 th Wing Comptroller. “Being
a part of such a large program like the Army Ten
Miler, and being able to represent the DCANG as a
group was a doubly enjoyable experience!”
Improvements for 257th Army Band Mission
Story by: Chief Warrant Officer Sheila Klotz
Photo by Staff Sgt. Earle B. Wilson, Jr.
The 257th Army Band is experiencing vast and impressive
improvements in all areas of our mission and
Army training. Over the next two years, Army Bands
mission will be migrating toward a music only mission
statement.
This will not mean we cease mandated Army training
such as weapons, security and NBC. It merely validates
the integrity and value of military musicians and our
contribution to soldier morale and esprit de corps. As
the most exposed unit in the DCNG, we intend to seize
every opportunity to provide a professional product to
our community.
As posted in the earlier edition of this newsletter, the
band will continue its primary mission (“musical support
for the troops…”) from October through June and
attempt to concentrate on our COMREL (community
relations) portion of our mission during Annual Training.
The valuable skills we are receiving in areas such as
First Aid, emergency action planning, etc., is information
we can all use to help during any type of emergency
we could possibly encounter in this area. As always,
if you have any suggestions, questions or concerns,
please do not hesitate to contact someone in your
chain of command.
The 257th Army Band plays during a Freedom Salute Ceremony for troops
returning from Iraq.

PAGE 5

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 CAPITAL GUARDIAN PAGE 6
“Amidst the
aftermath of
Hurricane
Katrina, the DC
National Guard
proved itself to be
a “Ready and
Relevant” force.
HURRICANE KATRINA:
Story by 1st Lt. Loneshia Reed and Staff Sgt. Lorenzo Parnell
Photos by Staff Sgt. Earle B. Wilson, Jr.
Mr. James
Conover, CrisisInterventionSpecialist,
takes time
to listen to the
concerns of
an evacuee
Homes were totally engulfed in water
as the levies gave way.
Soldier’s
patrol the
deserted
streets of
New
Orleans.
Hurricane Katrina can arguably be considered
the storm that changed a nation. From
the racially charged accusations directed at
the government to the unprecedented outpouring
of help from here and abroad, this
category 5 storm was an event of remarkable
proportions. In usual fashion, the citizen soldiers
that make up the National Guard were
ready and willing to assist the relief efforts.
The DC National Guard (DCNG) was no exception.
On September 3, 2005, the DCNG
deployed over 300 soldiers to the Greater
New Orleans Parish to support the Hurricane
Katrina relief efforts. Support missions included
search and rescue, medical relief, and
law and order. The 113th Security Forces,
148th Medical Detachment (Air Ambulance),
273rd, 274th, and 276th Military Police companies
joined with members from the 372nd
Military Police Battalion and 260th Military
Police Command to be the first of the DC
National Guard members to deploy. They
were dispersed to many areas including the
Cajun Dome and the Lafayette Convention
center . All military police officers conducting
law enforcement duties were deputized
and jointly operated with the civilian personnel
on site. Initially stationed at the Baton
Rouge Airport and then the Naval Air Station,
the 148th Medical Detachment was able
to rescue several evacuees in the New Orleans
area. In addition, the 148th was faced
with the daunting task of reporting the dead
bodies they could not rescue by helicopter.
“Basically the first few days were intense”

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 CAPITAL GUARDIAN PAGE 7
THE STORM THAT CHANGED A NATION
recalled 1st Lt. Florian Heithier, the officer in
charge of the 148th Medical Detachment in New
Orleans.
The 547th Transportation Company, 104th
Maintenance Company, and 74th Troop Command
were next in rotation performing vital
search and rescue missions in the heavily devastated
areas around Baton Rouge, Belle Chase,
and Zephyre Field. Headquarters elements in
both Belle Chase and the DC command operations
center were essential in organizing and
managing logistics, missions, personnel billeting,
meals, flight coordination, imbed reporting, and
the overall daily operations of all of our units
throughout the region.
In addition to law enforcement and search and
rescue the DC National Guard also provided well
needed medical support to the people of Louisiana
and helped to restore communications in
some of the worst hit areas. Spc. Kenneth Mason
of the DC Army National Guard Medical
Command stated that his deployment to Louisiana
was a “life changing experience.” “I have
never seen such devastation and I was more than
willing to provide all the help I could,” he expressed.
The 231st Combat Communication Squadron
completed the support provided by the DC National
Guard in helping to restore vital communication
links to Camp Beauregard and other areas
in need.
Amidst the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina,
the DC National Guard proved itself to be a
“Ready and Relevant” force willing and able to
support it’s nation in time of crisis.
Members of the
74th Troop
Command en
route to NAS
Belle Chase
after a retrieval
operation in
New Orleans,
Louisiana
Soldiers unload much needed supplies destined
for the citizens of Louisiana from a 74th Troop
Command 5-ton truck.
Spc. Kiana Smith of the DC Army National
Guard Medical Command prepares to x-ray
a fellow soldier’s hand.

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 CAPITAL GUARDIAN PAGE 8
Prior to deploying, a soldier of the 372nd
Military Police company stands in the turret
of the humvee as an over-watch to secure the
unit area. This was the final phase of training
and evaluation for the unit at the Ft. Dix,
New Jersey mobilization training unit.
given unit training scenarios that were
similar to actual missions they would
On February 6, 2006 the DC
National Guard held it’s Black
history celebration with guest
Speaker Willie Jolley at the DC
Armory. Mr. Jolley spoke about
his life experiences and how he
appreciates and thanks National
Guard members for their service
to our nation. “I want to thank
all of you for your service, “
372nd Deploys cont. from page 3
“Jolly” Black History Month
Willie Jolley addresses the kids
of the About Face Program. He
spoke to them about the importance
of setting goals for themselves
and then achieving those
goals. “A strong handshake
sends a message of confidence
and a good first impression,”
said Jolley.
perform once deployed. In addition,
their mobilization training included,
teams patrols, manning entry control
points, and clearing and securing
buildings within a restricted area. Exercises
on simulated riots, dealing with
language barriers, and performing under
stressful situations, seemed to be
instrumental in preparing the soldiers
for real world situations.
According to 1st Lt. Tekeshia Allen,
Personnel Officer for the unit,
accountability and individual assignments
were of the utmost importance.
“This training has given us a great
opportunity to prepare for whatever
we may face, of course nothing is ever
said Jolley. “We all have a way
of being successful but we have
to set goals and follow through.
Most of all don’t quit,” said
Jolley.
Willie Jolley is dedicated to
helping people succeed. After
his initial speech, he took time
to speak to students who are a
part of the About Face Program.
He told the students to concentrate
on their future and take
steps by studying hard and doing
their best while enrolled in
the program.
Willie Jolley is “America’s
Premier Celebrity Speaker –
Singer – Author… Inspiring
Millions with Music & Motivation!”
He is an award winning
speaker, a world-class singer,
and a best selling author .Willie
Jolley was recently inducted
into the Speakers Hall of Fame,
a lifetime award for speaking
excellence and professionalism.
In 2003, the McDonald’s Corporation
named him “A Black
History Maker of Today!”
perfect but being trained and prepared for
what could happen certainly helps the
situation,” said Allen. “The mobilization
process here at Ft. Dix has certainly enhanced
our capabilities of what to be prepared
for,” she said.
After enduring long days and even
longer nights, the 372 nd Military Police
Battalion completed their mobilization
training successfully. The DC National
Guard held a departure ceremony for the
Military Police Battalion at the Ft. Dix
Recreation Center where fellow soldiers
and over 80 family members and friends
came to bid them farewell.
Bronze cont. from page 2
only two female Combat Logistical Patrol
Officers in the battalion. “My focus from
the start was to learn as much as possible,
being a good leader and bringing my soldiers
home safely,” said Lee.
As her tour of duty continued, Lee’s
leadership was tested again on July12, 2005
when a FOB Warrior Combat Logistic Patrol
she was commanding was attacked by a
suicide improvised explosive device. During
the attack she followed prescribed procedures,
avoided another attack and returned
safely to home base via a different
route with no injuries or equipment damage.
During the ten month deployment, 1st
Lt. Lee conducted over 50 Combat Logistic
Patrols.
A native of south-east Washington, DC,
Lee graduated from Frank W. Ballou Senior
High School. She continued her education
by attending the University of the District
of Columbia and graduating in 2002.
She was commissioned at Howard University
in the same year. “ It’s an honor to receive
such an award. I never thought in a
thousand years I would receive such accolades,”
Lee said.

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 CAPITAL GUARDIAN PAGE 9
State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas and a Juris Doctor
from the Howard University School of Law in Washington,
DC. Brig. Gen. Bolden began her military career when she
enlisted in the Arkansas Army National Guard on May 15,
1975 in the 567 th Engineer Battalion. After moving to Washington,
DC to attend school, she joined the District of Columbia
Army National Guard. She received her commission in
1978 from the District of Columbia Army National Guard
Officer Candidate School. She has served in numerous positions
of over her 22 years of service to our country. She has
The District of Columbia National
Guard has always taken
to heart its duty to serve the
community. Most recently,
they have joined the fight to
keep at-risk youth from dropping
out of school. Along
with Colonel Camilla White,
Major General David F.
Wherley has embraced a vision
that would allow the DC
National Guard to fulfill its
civic duties by sponsoring the
About Face program.
Wednesday, February 22,
2006 marked the grand opening
ceremony for the About
Face program in partnership
with the District of Columbia
National Guard.
About Face is an activitybased
program with a curriculum
that focuses on keeping
youth in school and improving
academic achievement by
giving the youth a new vision
for their future. Funded by
the Department of Justice,
Making History cont. from page 3
About Face “Kicksoff”
Tierra McKinley speaks to the audience
at the About Face Open House. She
credited the program with helping her
develop a positive attitude and is now
college bound.
About Face has been proven
to reduce the prevalence of
juvenile crime and drug use
in the local communities
which creates an enhanced
quality of life. The core focus
of the program includes
developing functional life
skills, improving basic
skills, and providing employability
and work maturity
skills. The “Decisions”
module of training encourages
students to be informed
and make careful decisions
about peer pressure issues
such as sex, drugs, and education.
They receive training
on computer literacy,
critical thinking, and business
perspectives. By
graduation, these students
are equipped with life, academic,
work readiness, and
critical thinking skills
needed to be successful students.
In addition to critical
learning skills, About Face
served as commander, battalion S-1 and S-3, brigade S-1,
Personnel Management Officer, HQ DARC, Battalion Commander,
Director of Personnel, Director of Plans, Operations,
Training and Military Support , the Joint Chief of Staff for
the DC National Guard, Land Military Support to Civilian
Authorities Branch Chief, US Northern Command and most
recently as the J3 Operations for the Joint Task Force -
Armed Forces Inaugural Committee. Brig. Gen. Barbaranette
T. Bolden is definitely one of a kind, and the DC National
Guard is proud of her.
also gives the students a
sense of pride and encourages
good citizenship.
Tierra McKinley,
a graduate of About
Face, credited the program
with helping her
develop a positive attitude
and look forward
to the future. She is
now college bound and
has already been accepted
to many exemplary
universities.
Major General Wherley
concluded the ceremony
by thanking the
many key government
agencies that helped to
make the opening of
About Face possible
and asserted that the DC
National Guard will
continue to press forward
in its effort to
serve the community.
Scholar
cont. from page 3
DC Congresswoman Eleanor
Holmes-Norton (center)
congratulated Karber on her
Full Scholarship to obtain
her Master of Social work
Core Values.”
She has been granted early
admission status into the
Master of Social Work Program
for the 2006 entering
class of the Smith College
School for Social Work. She
will be departing this summer
to begin her journey toward
her Masters Degree.

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 CAPITAL GUARDIAN PAGE 10
District of Columbia Guardsmen Honor Rosa Parks
By Master Sgt. Bob Haskell and Staff Sgt. Lorenzo Parnell
Photo by Staff Sgt. Earle B. Wilson, Jr.
WASHINGTON – Eleven members of the District of
Columbia National Guard helped the nation pay tribute to
the late Rosa Parks, acclaimed as “the mother of the civil
rights movement,” during the final two days in October.
Parks, 92, died on Oct. 24.
The seven Soldiers and four Airmen on the Selected
Honor Guard from the district’s National Guard Forces
Headquarters were pallbearers for Parks who lay in honor,
in her polished, cherry-wood coffin, in the Capitol Rotunda
on Oct. 30 and the morning of Oct. 31 – before that afternoon’s
memorial service at the Metropolitan African
Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington.
The honor guard members shared a piece of history by
carrying Parks into the Capitol on that Sunday and then out
to the hearse on Monday. The Washington Post reported
that Parks was the first woman and only the 30th American
to lie in honor in the Rotunda.
Thousands of people, including President George W.
Bush and Mrs. Bush, came to pay their final respects after
the Guard members from the “Capital Guardians” respectfully
set the coffin in place.
“The turnout was overwhelming. The lines were incredibly
long when we left at 9:30 Sunday night,” said Sgt. 1st
Class Ernesto Rodriguez, the noncommissioned officer in
charge of the Guard pallbearers.
DC Guard officials formed the honor guard that Sunday
after receiving the request for ceremonial support from
district Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes-Norton, according
to Col. Timothy Spriggs.
“We worked the request through the proper channels,
and we were able to get our honor guard stood up to answer
the call,” Spriggs said.
Seven of the pallbearers were members of the DC
Guard’s honor guard, but four had never served in that capacity,
Rodriguez explained. All of them, however, were
ready for the high-profile mission after practicing for two
hours at the DC Armory and for two more hours at Capitol,
under the direction of the Thurston Lewis from the U.S.
Capital Police Ceremonial Unit.
Parks was celebrated as one of the most important
American citizens of the 20th century. She was a seamstress
in Montgomery, Ala., when she refused to give up
her seat on a city bus to a white passenger on Dec. 1, 1955.
The bus driver had her arrested. She was tried and convicted
of violating a local ordinance.
Her act sparked a citywide boycott of the bus system by
African-Americans that lasted for more than a year. The
boycott elevated an unknown clergyman named Martin
DC National Guard Joint Honor Guard Soldiers and Airmen
carry Rosa Parks remains from the U.S. Capital building
to the funeral coach. “This is an honor and privilege to
serve as pall bearer to Rosa Parks,” said Ernesto Rodriguez,
Joint Honor Guard noncommissioned officer-in-charge.
Luther King Jr. to national prominence and resulted in the
U.S. Supreme Court decision outlawing segregation on
city buses.
Rodriguez was humbled to serve as a pallbearer “This is
the one of the most significant events in my life. It’s an
honor and privilege to carry the remains of Rosa Parks, an
icon of the civil rights movement,” he said. “I was saddened
by the fact that she passed, but to be one of her pallbearers
at the Capitol gave me a happiness I will never
forget.”
Other Guard pallbearers were: Senior Master Sgt. Raynard
Edwards, Sgt.1st Class Terry Williams, Staff Sgt.
James Childs, Tech. Sgt. Fuller Dodson, Tech. Sgt. Latricia
Long, Tech. Sgt. Santos Ramirez, Sgt. Reginald Carmichael,
Spc. Josef Douglin, Pfc. Marinez Cadet, and Pfc.
Wayne Logan. It was the first time that the honor guard
members performed as a joint unit.
“What a tremendous honor to be in the presence of Rosa
Parks and be part of that history,” said Ramirez. “By carrying
her remains to the viewing area, we not only represented
the DC National Guard but the Armed Forces as a
whole.”
“This is an honor and privilege to serve as pall bearer to
Rosa Parks,” said Sgt. 1st Class Ernesto Rodriguez, Joint
Honor Guard noncommissioned officer-in-charge.

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 CAPITAL GUARDIAN PAGE 11
Story By: Staff Sgt. Desiree Jones - DCANG Public Affairs
A Hero’s Homecoming
Jennifer Tucker waits beneath a 20 ft. Christmas tree on the 14th of December 2005. “I’m a little nervous. I feel like I’m going
on a first date!” she says. We are standing outside the customs terminal of BWI Airport awaiting the return of her husband,
Staff Sgt. John Tucker of the 113th Security Forces Squadron. He was deployed to Camp Bucca, Iraq, from April to December
of 2005.
She is temporarily distracted from time to time by their 4-yr-old daughter, Madison, and 2-yr-old son Jackson, who found glee
in riding the escalator and were seemingly determined to capture the joy once again by climbing the stairs.
Every few minutes or so a few Sailors, Soldiers or Airmen come through the customs terminal looking a little confused until
we direct them to the USO lounge which is just around the corner. A few, glad to be home send, up shouts of jubilee.
Anxiously holding a welcome home sign, is Tech. Sgt. Mary Hayes of the 113th Security Forces Squadron. She attempts to
get the smaller version of Staff. Sgt. Tucker to hold an end of the sign, but only manages to succeed long enough to have his picture
taken as he is more interested in bullying his big sister. She doesn’t seem to mind as they are both were well occupied and
all smiles the whole time.
Also along are Staff Sgt. Stephania Mahdi, Tech. Sgt. Jim Anderson and Master Sgt. Joseph Hart-Bowley. Eventually some
of Staff Sgt. Tucker’s comrades come through the terminal doors. They immediately recognize Jenn and the children. “Hi Mrs.
Tucker!” and “Hi Jenn!” most say as they approach; including Staff Sgt. Tucker’s battle buddy, Staff Sgt. Cid Junesse of Kirkland,
NM. He bends down and sees a toddler crouched under a bench, “That must be Jackson!” says Cid. They assure us that
Staff Sgt. Tucker is just beyond the doors and will be out very soon.
Within minutes Tech Sgt. Hayes announces his approach and Madison is the first to give her daddy a warm welcome. “There’s
my big guy!” as he grabs Jackson from Jenn who scoots around a waist-high glass wall
to give her hubby a big hug.
Staff Sgt. Tucker did not hesitate to make introductions of his extended family. I asked Staff Sgt. Tucker about the relationships
he built while deployed, “It is a big deal,” he says immediately. Being a National Guard troop versus Active Duty and being
assigned to an Army camp presented a double clash of cultures that dissolved as time went on.
Having his wingman Staff Sgt. Junesse there everyday from training at Ft. Lewis and back home gave him piece of mind.
“We’ve all put our lives on hold – it’s nice to have someone understand.” Among his unit were also members of the Illinois
ANG whom Staff Sgt. Tucker had previously trained with. How about that for a present under the Christmas Tree?
Commander’s Column cont. from page 2
Face after school program which works with “at risk” youth is in its first year, and off to a great start. We have several Guardsmen
who support the program by volunteering their time as mentors. The Youth ChalleNGe program, a 22-week voluntary residential
program open to drug-free male and female high school dropouts between ages 16 and 18, has been funded and the first
class is tentatively planned to begin in January 2007. This program focuses its students on community service, citizenship, job
skills and academic excellence. By helping disadvantaged youth we strengthen the community.
In strengthening our relationship with the city, we have garnered political support for the DC National Guard as evidenced by
the Mayor's support for the National Guard Tuition Assistance program. We are working hard to insure this proposal is supported
in the Congress and the City Council. Also noteworthy is our Selected Honor Guard who had the privilege of participating
in the Rosa Parks lie-in-state memorial services chiefly due to the support of Congress Woman Eleanor Holmes-Norton.
As the DC National Guard presses forward to do bigger and better things, it is in the forefront of my mind that we need leadership
equipped with the skills that will ensure mission success on deployments, during drill, and on the regular work day. For this
reason, many of our senior officers attended the National Leadership Institute at the University of Maryland earlier this year. My
intent is to continuously improve the DC National Guard through ensuring that leadership has relevant experience in the global
war on terrorism, and trained to be strong, confident, and fair-minded in their positions of authority.
As this outstanding command continues to grow, I envision even greater accomplishments for the DC National Guard. I appreciate
the dedication, vigilance, and flexibility of every soldier and airmen as we fight a determined enemy. Again, I thank all
of you for your hard work and the sacrifices you have made for the DC National Guard.

Celebrate the Army's 231 st Birthday
Enjoy a memorable evening of dinner, entertainment and dancing at
the 2006 Army Birthday Ball, Saturday, June 10, at the Hilton Washington
Hotel in Washington, D.C. Join us in honoring the history and
heritage of our Army and our Soldiers who have answered the Call
to Duty for 231 years. All U.S. Army Soldiers, family members,
Department of the Army civilians, contractors, retirees, veterans and
their guests are invited to attend the event. Tickets for the ball are
$70 each and include dinner and entertainment. A limited number of
discounted tickets at $40 each will be available for E-6s, GS-7 civilians
and below. Registration begins April 12. For more information
or to register for the 2006 Army Birthday Ball, visit Army Knowledge
Online at www.us.army.mil and follow the link to the ball.
Seats are limited, so reserve yours now. Don't miss out on this special
event!