Madison-based Air Guard unit honors its Hometown Heroes

By Tech. Sgt. Don Nelson

115th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

More than 350 Wisconsin Air National Guard members from the 115th Fighter Wing and their families were honored at the unit's Truax Field base in Madison on Sept. 19.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, according to the Defense Department, more than 80,000 Air National Guard Airmen have deployed in support of military operations. As part of the Air National Guard Hometown Heroes Salute recognition program, the 115th Fighter Wing hosted its first ceremony to celebrate and honor the wing's Airmen, families and those special supporters who have significantly contributed to supporting our Airmen and their mission.

"This is something we need to do to recognize the outstanding service that people put forward," said Brig. Gen. John McCoy, commander of the Wisconsin Air National Guard. "We have asked people to deploy, in some cases multiple times since Sept.11, 2001 and this is just a small recognition for the member and their families."

The program, managed by the National Guard Bureau, cooperates with the Guard in all 50 states and recognizes Airmen who deployed for more than 30 consecutive days for Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and all other contingency operations.

Each Airman honored received a cherry wood-encased letter of appreciation signed by Gen. Craig. R. McKinley, National Guard Bureau chief, and the Air Guard's command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Richard Smith, enclosed with a commemorative coin.

"There are many who say that they did not deploy for the award - they say they did it because their nation asked them," McCoy said. "However, it is good to take some time, step back and recognize people."

Each family member, whether they attended the ceremony or not, were also presented with tokens of support for their Airman. Each child received a set of commemorative dog tags and each spouse or significant other were presented an engraved rosewood pen and pencil set.

"We always say that we recruit the Airman and retain the family," said Kim Sandleback, family program coordinator with the 115th Fighter Wing. "Our Airman could not deploy without the incredible support of their families."

Each Airman could also nominate a center of influence for providing extraordinary support when they deploy. Those nominees were presented with a Hometown Heroes Salute medallion.

During the ceremony, Airmen and family members were greeted by McCoy, Brig. Gen. Joseph Brandemuehl, 115th Fighter Wing commander, and Brig. Gen. Donald Dunbar, adjutant general of Wisconsin.