Air Guard To Give Plaques To 70,000 Deployers

[livvy]

Air Guard To Give Plaques To 70,000 Deployers

Staff report
Posted : Saturday Nov 29, 2008 6:48:41 EST

It’s not a medal, a ribbon or a check, but the Air National Guard intends to recognize 70,000 Air Guard members with individual plaques.

Chief Master Sgt. Richard Smith, command chief of the Air Guard, said the Air Guard’s Hometown Heroes Salute Campaign will recognize what could be more than 70,000 guardsmen who have deployed for more than 30 consecutive days since Sept. 11, 2001. Qualifying contingencies include operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and domestic missions like Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

“We have not properly recognized our airmen,” Smith told the Guard’s adjutants general, Air Guard commanders and command chief master sergeants during a recent senior leadership conference in Virginia.

Local units have done a great job recognizing groups who deployed, but some individual deployments have been shorted proper recognition, the command chief said.

Eligible Guard members will receive a cherry wood-encased letter of appreciation signed by Smith and former Air Guard director, Gen. Craig. R. McKinley, now head of the National Guard Bureau. Also enclosed in the frame will be a commemorative coin.

more...


http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/11/airforce_airguard_plaque_112608w/%2e

I did some searching, and I found a picture of the plaque that will be awarded...nice!



Guard members to be honored through Salute Campaign
Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Muncy holds up a Hometown Heroes Salute Award that will be given in 2009 to eligible National Guard Airmen who deployed on orders for more than 30 consecutive days in a contingency operation. Chief Muncy, the command chief of the Ohio Air National Guard, and Chief Master Sgt. Richard Smith, command chief of the Air Guard, announced the Hometown Heroes Salute program Nov. 20 at the Air Guard Senior Leadership conference outside Washington. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith)

There is an additional article at the link below. It's where I found the picture.

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123125492

[HereSince1628]

1. My certificat of appreciation complete with a replica of Nixon's signature

made me feel a lot better about my Vietnam service. It was never really suitable for framing.

But it gave me a laugh.

There is no denying that it's the thought that counts.

[geckosfeet]

2. Corporations do this all the time - when they are too cheap to actually reward

their employees.

I have gone through training sessions that improve my skillset and benefit the company I work for and I get a $.20 certificate. Big deal. How about recognizing my contributions with a raise or cash award.

In this case, how about a service medal (at the fricking least) or service benefits.

A fucking plaque. What cynical bastards.

Or is it just me that is cynical?

[livvy]

3. I agree with your sentiments...

however, it is better than nothing, at least acknowledges some level of appreciation, and well, I do think it's an attractive plaque, if nothing else.

I got a really ugly travel clock for recognition of twenty-five years of teaching. I suppose I shouldn't complain. Teachers who retired got a stupid bell. Now what good is a stupid, hand-held, ding-dong bell once you're retired from teaching?

I think I would have rather had a plaque. At the very least, I could have used a nice frame. :shrug:

[geckosfeet]

4. Better than nothing. Not much. But yes, at least an acknowledgment.