april family focus focus... · 2018-04-14 · april family focus 2018 disclaimer: the announcements...

APRIL FAMILY FOCUS 2018

Disclaimer: The announcements that appear on this page(s) or attached are intended to inform Soldiers, Airmen, veterans, and their families of special offers provided to Service Members, veterans and their families and are not intended to constitute an endorsement by the South Dakota Army and Air National Guard, the United States Army, the United States Air Force, or the Department of Defense. It is strictly intended to be used for informational purposes only.

April Family Focus

Issue Date

THE FOCUS IS FOR SERVICE MEMBERS & FAMILIES, VETERANS, RETIREES & SURVIVORS IN THIS ISSUE

Military children make up a very special part of our nation's population. Although young, these brave sons and daughters stand in steadfast support of their military parents. As they face circumstances unique to their lives—such as navigating multiple moves and schools to shouldering repeated deployments of a parent, these children are examples of resilience in the military community. To honor their unique contributions and sacrifices on behalf of our country, each April is designated the Month of the Military Child.

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April is the Month of the Military Child

Mission: Service Member & Family Support enhances and empowers the lives of our customers with consistently exceptional service & support.

Service Member & Family Support

Phone: 1-800-658-3930

APRIL FAMILY FOCUS | 3

mailto:[email protected]; [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]




The nation observes Gold Star Spouses’

Day on April 5 of each year

• In 1947, U.S. Congress approved the use of the Gold Star

Lapel Button. is symbol consists of a gold star on a purple

background, bordered in gold and surrounded by gold laurel

leaves.

It is for eligible survivors of service members who lose their

lives during any armed hostilities in which the United States

is engaged, dating back to World War I. is includes service

members who lost their lives while deployed in support of

military operations against the enemy of the United

States, an international terrorist attack or a United Nations

peacekeeping mission.

• Retroactive to 1973, the Lapel Button for Next of Kin of

Deceased Personnel was introduced. This symbol consists of

a gold star within a circle that commemorates his or her

honorable service and is also surrounded by sprigs of oak

that represent the branches of the Armed Forces. It is

designated for eligible survivors of service members who lose

their lives while serving honorably under circumstances not

defined above.

This includes service members who lost their lives while

assigned to a Reserve or National Guard unit in a drill status.

• In 2008, Army Survivor Outreach Services was established.

SOS is a “One Army” program, jointly administered by Army

Community Service, the Army National Guard and Army

Reserve, that works hand-in-hand with Casualty and

Mortuary Affairs and Casualty Assistance centers across that

Army to provide long-term, multi-component support

services.

• Since 2011, U.S. Congress deemed April 5 as Gold Star

Wives’ Day.

• As of 2016, the observance is referred to as Gold Star

Spouses’ Day.

For more information please contact:

Michele Anderson

South Dakota Survivor Outreach Services

Contractor - HRCI

605-737-6090 office

605-593-6671 cell

[email protected]




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The SD ESGR committee is

accepting nominations for the

2018 Pro Patria Award.

The Pro Patria Award publicly

recognizes employers for

exceptional support of their

employees, who voluntarily serve

in the National Guard and

Reserve. These employers

provide support which surpasses

the requirements of the

Uniformed Services Employment

and Reemployment Rights Act,

USERRA.

This prestigious award is South Dakota's top employer award and is presented annually to one employer who

demonstrates exceptional support for National Defense by adopting personnel policies that make it easier for

employees to participate in the National Guard and Reserve.

Previous recipients of this award are RENEW Energy Inc., Rapid City Police Department, Iberdrola Renewables,

Buffalo Ridge II Wind Farm, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, Northwestern Energy, Daktronics, REI

Corporation, St. John’s Lutheran Church of Yankton, Midcontinent Communications, Yankton School District,

and SAPA Extrusions, Inc.

Nominations of the Service Members employer can be made by the Service Member or a family member April 1

through August 1, 2018. Nomination forms can be obtained at:

http://sd.ng.mil/Resources/SMFS/ESGR/Documents/Pro%20Patria%20Nomination%20form%20FY%2018.pdf

Nominations must be e-mailed, faxed or mailed back to MAJ Lona Christensen (contact information listed in the

nomination form). SD ESGR will conduct the interviews and write the nomination packets.

Questions should be directed to MAJ Lona Christensen 605-737-6540.

Nominations for 2018 Pro Patria Award

http://sd.ng.mil/Resources/SMFS/ESGR/Documents/Pro%20Patria%20Nomination%20form%20FY%2018.pdf


SDNG SERVICE MEMBER & FAMILY SUPPORT (February 2018)

SMFS Director: 605-737-6728 LTC Brendan Murphy Rapid City

SMFS Deputy Director: 605-737-6206 MAJ Quenten Johnson Rapid City

SD Family Assistance Center 1-800-658-3930 http://www.facebook.com/sdfamilyassistance

Family Assistance Coordinator: 605-737-6079 Rickkie Martinmaas Rapid City

Family Assistance Specialist: 605-882-9375 Corinne Mahlen Watertown

Family Assistance Specialist: 605-737-6970 Sarah Neugebauer Rapid City

Family Assistance Specialist: 605-737-6970 Kathy Reamer Rapid City

Family Assistance Specialist: 605-696-5416 Jenn Holien Brookings

Family Assistance Specialist: 605-357-2942 Rachel Vanderzee Sioux Falls

Family Assistance Specialist: 605-995-1682 Ruth Ragels Mitchell

Senior Family Readiness Support Assistant: 605-737-6089 Wendi Albers Rapid City

Family Readiness Support Assistant: 605-737-6310 Tracy O’Sullivan Rapid City (109th RSG-JFHQ-196th RTI)

Family Readiness Support Assistant (196th MEB): 605-357-2970 Sioux Falls

Lead Child & Youth Coordinator: 605-737-6919 Taryn Broomfield Rapid City

Child & Youth Coordinator: 605-882-9376 Candice Bloom Watertown

Yellow Ribbon: 605-737-6947 SFC David Neugebauer Rapid City

ESGR Program Director: 605-737-6540 MAJ Lona Christensen Rapid City

ESGR Volunteer Support Technician: 605-737-6977 Michele Mustain Sioux Falls

ESP Employment Support Specialist: 605-737-6011 Scott MacDonald Rapid City

Transition Assistance: 605-737-6669 Christian Johnson Rapid City

Citizen Soldier For Life: 605-737-6656 Kenny Wheeler Rapid City

Citizen Soldier For Life: 605-357-2974 Laura Allen Sioux Falls

Citizen Soldier For Life: 605-868-6269 Emy Hauck Watertown

Survivor Outreach: 605-737-6090 Michele Anderson Rapid City

Funeral Honors & Operations NCO: 605-737-6945 MSG Mary Mallow Rapid City

Funeral Honors Coordinator: 605-737-6927 Bob Sack Rapid City

Airman & Family Readiness: 605-988-5962 Nikki Wajer Sioux Falls

Military OneSource: 605-639-0409 Mike Nei Watertown

800-342-9647

Trauma Crisis & Suicide Prevention: 605-737-6954 Bill Meirose Rapid City

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK

Director of Psychological Health: 605-737-6582 LTC Amber Heinert Rapid City

Psychological Health Coordinator: 605-786-2922 Amy LaBay Brookings

State Chaplain: 605-431-5182 Chaplain LTC Lynn Wilson Rapid City

Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC): 605-737-6294 Rapid City

877-660-6711

DoD Safe Help Line: 877-995-5247

http://www.facebook.com/sdfamilyassistance


Join us at Sky Zone

in support of the SDNG Child & Youth Program and the

Month of the Military Child

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

3-8 PM Current and former military personnel and their families jump for ONE hour FREE

with Military ID and purchase of jump socks!

In-store purchase of tickets based on availability. No online ticket sales.

Sky Zone is located 5129 South Solberg Ave, Sioux Falls, SDD 57108

605-553-9910

LTC Brendan Murphy & MAJ Quenten Johnson present baby gifts to Service Member & Family Support team members CW2 Devere Pearson & SGT Mathew Spaans to congratulate them on the birth of their daughters!


The Transition Assistance Advisor (TAA) Program serves Active and Reserve Component service members of ALL branches of the military AND Veterans who have dedicated themselves to serving our nation, often at great personal sacrifice. The program’s principal role is to provide direction to Reserve Component service members so that they can secure all benefits, entitlements, and services earned through their military service with the compassion of someone who’s been there.

You may not need assistance at this time, but you may have a friend or family member that could use some assistance.

Common services provided are:

- Requesting Military Service records - Enrollment into the VA Healthcare - Counseling on Education Benefits - Supporting deploying and returning

units - Employment - Tricare - State specific benefits - Navigating local, state and federal

programs

I am a current service member in the SDARNG, an OEF-Afghanistan veteran, former full-time Soldier, education counselor and will put to use my skills and relationships to ensure your needs are met.

Contact your TAA today at 605-737-6669 or [email protected]

T

April Family Focus

Service Member and Family Support South Dakota National Guard

2823 W. Main St, Rapid City SD 57702

1-800-658-3930

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