Alaska Forget Me Not coalition honored at ceremony

by Air National Guard Capt. Bernie Kale
Alaska Air National Guard Public Affairs

9/22/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell signed a memorandum of agreement Thursday, recognizing the accomplishments of Alaska Forget Me Not, a coalition that works to ensure military members and families have access to culturally competent services and support.

Alaska Forget Me Not focuses on statewide collaboration, community outreach, and education and strategic partnerships all to benefit service members, veterans and families living all across Alaska.

"What you are seeing today is a gathering of service providers who are willing to say, we as a community support you," Parnell said. "We have a community of supporters of our military, and we have an opportunity here that is beyond what I think is achieved anywhere else in the country."

Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Mike Bridges, acting adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard, joined Parnell at the Arctic Warrior Event Center on JBER for the signing of the support agreement that acknowledges the positive steps the coalition has made for the military community.

Bridges spoke specifically to Alaska Forget Me Not coalition members about the importance of their programs to the veterans who live in remote villages of Alaska.

"Without the care of this coalition, and all the parts of it, to help these great American Soldiers, we would lose them," Bridges said. "All of you coalition members come to the table with a unique skill set.

"You make us better; you will support us and sustain us because of your willingness as agencies, and [because of] individuals' willingness to do so."

Parnell encouraged the coalition members to continue providing these much-needed programs and services to current military members, veterans and their families.

"I'm signing this memorandum knowing there are many coalition members here as well who as Alaskans say, we love you, we support you, and we will always be there with you," Parnell said.

Alaska Forget Me Not also works to identify gaps in available programs and duplication of efforts to make sure services maximize their program's impact.