Ohio holds family readiness conference

By Sgt. Sean Mathis
Ohio National Guard

Ohio, (4/26/10) -- The Ohio National Guard held its 2010 Family Readiness Conference here at the Columbus Marriott Northwest Hotel April 9-11.

The weekend’s events included awards, recognition and planning for Ohio’s Family Readiness Groups (FRG).

Lt. Col. Robert Bramlish, the state family programs director, said the purpose of the annual conference is to build “relationships among FRGs, unit leadership and organizations committed to supporting our troops and families.”

FRGs provide a support network that assist military families during hardships while loved ones are deployed. They also work closely with the leaders of deployed troops and organizations that support troops to solve issues that military family members face while their loved ones are away.

More than 800 family members, Soldiers and Airmen of the Ohio National Guard attended the three-day conference.

Designed to help foster relationships between troops and FRGs, the first night of the conference was designated with a wellness theme and attendees dressed in related apparel, including medical scrubs, athletic clothing, and even healthy food costumes.

Maj. Gen. Gregory L. Wayt, Ohio adjutant general, dressed as Olympic gold medalist and professional snowboarder Shaun White, donning plastic gold medals, a long, curly, red-haired wig, a black toboggan, aviator sunglasses and a snowboard under his left arm.

“There is tremendous leadership at the top of both the Ohio Army and Air Guards,” said Woody Johnson, host of a popular morning radio show. “For General Wayt to dress up like Shaun White … you want to serve a guy like that. I’m a civilian and I want to serve a guy like that.”

Johnson, who is married to an Ohio Air National Guard member from the 121st Air Refueling Wing, understands the challenges facing military families.

“If I can support their commitment by giving them mine, then I’ll be there for them. It’s kind of my way of saying thanks,” Johnson said.

On April 10, conference attendees broke into smaller groups designed to focus on specific issues and allow for some individual attention.

“Some of these classes may contribute to improved FRG programs in units, while others may focus on maintaining the wellness of all our FRG volunteers, as well as commanders and senior NCOs who, in spite of all which is on their plate, continue to give even more to troops and Families,” Bramlish said.

On April 11, Dennis McCarthy, the assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, commended the Ohio National Guard for the success of its Family Readiness Program and answered questions about future changes regarding family programs in the military.

More than 160 children of military members also attended the conference. About 50 children between the ages of six and nine learned the history of the United States military from volunteers dressed in uniforms from the War of 1812 to today’s Global War on Terrorism.

In some classes, children were allowed to wear some of the equipment and experience firsthand what their mothers and fathers wear.