November 2011-January 2012 - Wisconsin National Guard ...

A seven-year veteran of the WisconsinAir National Guard is the first recipient ofthe Thomas E. Wortham IV AchievementAward.Tech. Sgt. Robert Garrelts, Sparta,a mechanic with the 128th Air ControlSquadron at Volk Field Combat ReadinessTraining Center, received the awardduring a Dec. 2 ceremony at Joint ForceHeadquarters in Madison. The awardrecognizes Wisconsin National Guardmember accomplishments off duty.Garrelts, who joined the Illinois ArmyNational Guard in 1987 and served invarious units as well as the Army Reservebefore joining the 128th ACS, struggledto express what receiving the Thomas E.Wortham IV Achievement Award meantto him.“I really wish I could have gotten thechance to meet Thomas and serve withhim,” Garrelts said.Garrelts is active with the Sparta Boysand Girls Club, serving as an executiveboard member and helped the organizationraise $40,000 by volunteering for theclub’s annual haunted house fundraiser.“I’ve seen numerous kids grow up inthat house,” he said, explaining that heworks with Boys and Girls Club membersfor months constructing the new hauntedhouse interior. Some youth appreciate theadult mentorship, while others learn howto use tools or build walls for the firsttime, he said.Garrelts volunteers for the SpartaFire Department, where he serves as thetraining officer and fire inspector for a284-square-mile area of responsibility.“I grew up around it,” Garrelts said.“My dad was a firefighter — he still is.My brother is in a fire department. It’s afamily thing.”He noted that he has missed someholiday meals answering fire calls.“I’d rather protect and save life,” hesaid. “Who else is going to do it?”He also volunteers with the MonroeCounty Hazardous Materials Team, and@easeExpressCol. Joanne Mathews reads the orders designating Tech. Sgt.Robert Garrelts as the first recipient of the Thomas WorthamIV Achievement Award, which recognizes the citizencontributions of the Citizen Soldier and Citizen Airman. Theaward’s namesake was a Wisconsin Army National Guardhad volunteered with the Camp DouglasAmbulance from 2008-2010.Garrelts has been a member of theVolk Field color guard team the past threeyears, and said every veteran deservesmilitary honors at their funeral. He is alsoan executive committee member for theWisconsin National Guard Youth Camp,where he serves as assistant securitydirector.The award is named for 1st Lt.Thomas Wortham IV, a member of theWisconsin Army National Guard’s TroopA, 105th Cavalry as well as a memberof the Chicago Police Department. Hewas murdered outside of his parents’officer, Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, and member of theChicago Police Department who was killed while preventinga vehicle theft at his Illinois home. Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar andThomas Wortham III were on hand to present the award Dec.2. Wisconsin National Guard photo by 1st Sgt. Vaughn R. LarsonChicago home May 19, 2010 when fourmen attempted to steal his motorcycle.The Bronze Star recipient and veteran oftwo Iraq deployments as well as a tour ofduty performing airport security as part ofOperation Noble Eagle joined the ChicagoContinued on Page 4140 November 2011-January 2012