(Arnolds Park)– Employer support for the National Guard and Reserve is even more vital now as the war against terrorism rages. That was the word at Sunday’s annual National Guard Appreciation Day at the Arnolds Park Amusement Park. Captain Ted Hart of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve oversees operations for the north central region. He says the support from employers has grown exponentially since September 11th…and continues to grow.
Colonel Alan Smith, Director of Military Member Support for the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, says Sunday’s appreciation day was a welcome break from what’s been a very hectic time since September 11th.
Ron Dardis, Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, was the keynote speaker at Sunday’s event. He mentioned the upcoming mobilization of the 194th Field Artillery Battalion headquartered out of Fort Dodge. Dardis said about 460 soldiers from the battalion will be going to Fort Knox Kentucky for mobilization. From there, he said they’ll go to three different states: Michigan, Indiana and Ohio as part of Operation Noble Eagle. They’ll be there for one year.
The batallion has units in Spencer, Storm Lake, Algona and Estherville. It was put on alert late last week.
