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| CONTACT: Joy D. Moser Director, Public Affairs Office Work: (785) 274-1192 http://www.Kansas.gov/ksadjutantgeneral |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April
22, 2004 BIRK ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING CHAPMAN SOLDIERS ATTEND UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING COLEMAN ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING DUES ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING DUSKIE ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING EGGERS ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING ETHERTON ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING HARMON ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING HARRIS ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING HAYS GUARDSMEN ATTEND UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING HAVNER ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING HENRY ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING HORESKY ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING JAMES ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING JONES ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING MANHATTAN SOLDIERS ATTEND UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING MARSH ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING MUELLER ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING PAVLIS ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING PHILLIPS ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING SCHWEITZER ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING GUARD JOURNALIST SIMMONS RECEIVES REFRESHER COURSE SMITH ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING TOPEKA SOLDIERS ATTEND UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING THURLOW ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING WARNER ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING WEEMS ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING WICHITA GUARDSMEN ATTEND UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING BIRK ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING Sgt. Scott A Birk, Burlington, attended a Unit Public Affairs
Representative (UPAR) school held at the Kansas Regional Training Institute,
235th Regiment, Kansas Army National Guard, in Salina, Kan., on March
6-7. Birk is a member of Battery A, 1st Battalion, 127 Field Artillery,
Kansas Army National Guard, Burlington. "I've been in the National Guard for 15 years now.
I know how to tell the Guard story and provide opportunities to help the
local community," said Birk. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the
National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders
to provide information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish
this by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. -30- CHAPMAN SOLDIERS ATTEND UNIT PUBLIC
AFFAIRS TRAINING By Sgt. 1st Class James Mueller, UPAR Spc. David Isaacs and Spc. Jason K. DeWitt, both of Chapman, attended the Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR) school held at the Kansas Regional Training Institute, 235th Regiment, Kansas Army National Guard, in Salina, Kan., on March 6-7. Isaacs is a generator mechanic with Detachment 1, 323 Missile
Support Company, Kansas Army National Guard located on Fort Riley. DeWitt
is a member of Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery, Kansas
Army National Guard. Isaacs leaped at the opportunity to attend this class. Gleaming
pride of his unit was shown with enthusiasm all during the class period.
"I just wanted to tell everyone how proud of my unit
I am," said Isaacs. Coming from a patriotic family of two former generations
of military, this 36-year-old Chapman resident wanted to improve his skills
as a writer for his units' activities. Isaacs and his wife, Amie, and their two children reside
in Chapman. DeWitt has served in the Kansas Army National Guard for
10 years. He is the son of Rosie and Kenny DeWitt. Kenny DeWitt, a long
time member of the Kansas Army National Guard, is currently deployed in
Iraq. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the
National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders
to provide information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish
this by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. -30- COLEMAN ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS
TRAINING By Sgt. First Class Susan J. Brown, UPAR Pfc. David Coleman, 22, Battery C, 1st Battalion, 161st
Field Artillery, Kansas Army National Guard, Newton, attended the Kansas
Army National Guard Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR) Course March
6-7, 2004, in Salina. Coleman attended the course to learn how to tell the story
of the Kansas National Guard. The course consisted of lectures about how
to interact with the public and doing practical exercises such as writing
news stories about other Guard members attending the course and taking
pictures. Coleman is a cannon crewmember with his artillery unit,
which has the M109A5 self-propelled howitzer. Coleman joined the Guard
when he was 21 years old, on what he says was a spur of the moment. He
loves his job with the howitzer. "Working on the howitzer is very exciting, especially
when I get to go to the field and fire rounds down range. For me, there's
nothing else like it," said Coleman. Coleman graduated from Newton High School in 2000. His parents
are David C. Coleman, and Cheire Stephey of Fredonia. -30- DUES ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING By Sgt. William J. Jones, UPAR Staff Sgt. Sheila D. Dues, Kensington, recently attended
the Unit Public Affairs Representative School (UPAR) on March 6-7, 2004,
in Salina, Kan. She is assigned to the 995th Maintenance Company, Kansas
Army National Guard, in Smith Center, where she has been a cook for the
past five years. Dues was in the active Army for 10 years as an administrative
specialist and has been in the Army National Guard for seven years. During
her career in the military she has made valuable use of her expertise
as a journalist, a recruiter and a guidance counselor. Dues wants citizens
of Kansas to know the good things the National Guard does in their communities.
With this new assignment she can bring this story to local citizens. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the
National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders
to provide information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish
this by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. -30- DUSKIE ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS
TRAINING By Cpl. John Braden Maj. Andra Duskie, Beloit, attended the Unit Public Affairs
Representative (UPAR) school held at the Kansas Regional Training Institute,
235th Regiment, Kansas Army National Guard, in Salina, Kan., on March
6-7. Duskie is a traditional Guardsmen assigned to Headquarters, 235th
Regiment, Kansas Army National Guard, in Salina. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the
National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders
to provide information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish
this by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. Duskie served four years in the active Army where she was
an ordnance officer. After a short break from the military she joined
the Kansas Army National Guard. She has been a member of the Guard for
11 years. Duskie resides in Beloit with her husband, Russell Buller.
Buller is a graphic artist. Duskie's hobbies include history, animals
and snow skiing. Duskie's parents, Andrew and Gladys Duskie, are both veterans.
Andrew served during World War II and Gladys served during the Korean
War. -30- EGGERS ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS
TRAINING By Spc. Danette Harris, UPAR Chief Warrant Officer 2 Walt Eggers, Great Bend, attended
a Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR) school held at the Kansas
Regional Training Institute, 235th Regiment, Kansas Army National Guard,
in Salina, Kan., on March 6-7. Eggers is an allied trades technician with
Detachment 1, 170th Maintenance Company, Kansas Army National Guard, in
Goodland. Eggers has been a member of the National Guard for 18 years.
He was also in the active duty Army for four years prior, serving in Germany
and then in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. Eggers, formerly of Bird City, is a graduate of Cheylin
High School. He is also a 1996 graduate of Fort Hays State University
with a bachelors degree in Finance. Eggers is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Eggers. He has a
son, Darin, age 10. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the
National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders
to provide information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish
this by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. -30- ETHERTON ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS
TRAINING Staff Sgt. Thomas Etherton attended a Unit Public Affairs
Representative (UPAR) school held at the Kansas Regional Training Institute,
235th Regiment, Kansas Army National Guard, in Salina, Kan., on March
6-7. Etherton is a member of Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery,
Horton. Etherton, a native of Troy, works as Heavy Equipment Mechanic
for Ideker Construction in St. Joseph, Mo. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the
National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders
to provide information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish
this by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. -30- HARMON ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS
TRAINING Sgt. Harold Harmon, Chanute, attended the Unit Public Affairs
Representative (UPAR) school held at the Kansas Regional Training Institute,
235th Regiment, Kansas Army National Guard, in Salina, Kan., on March
6-7. Harmon is a member of Detachment 1, Company C, 891st Engineer Battalion,
Kansas Army National Guard. Recently appointed Unit Public Affairs Representative for
his unit, Harmon has already started planning for future annual training
sessions and other events, where he might be given an opportunity to tell
fellow citizens about the wonderful opportunities the Guard has to offer.
During the two days of the UPAR school, he "learned
how to tell the story of the Guard." In addition to being the Unit Public Affairs Representative
he also serves as a Combat Engineer. But, his skills don't end there,
he served three years in the active Army, where he was a tank turret mechanic.
He also has had the privilege of going to several overseas locations including,
Germany, Panama and Belize. Being a member of the graduating class of 1987 from Chanute
High School, Harold enjoys quiet days on the shoreline fishing and watching
an occasional movie with his kids. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the
National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders
to provide information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish
this by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. -30- HARRIS ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS
TRAINING Spc. Danette Harris, Wichita, attended a Unit Public Affairs
Representative (UPAR) school held at the Kansas Regional Training Institute,
235th Regiment, Kansas Army National Guard, in Salina, Kan., on March
6-7. Harris is a truck driver assigned to the 242nd Engineer Company,
Kansas Army National Guard, Wichita. She has been in the National Guard
for 2 ½ years. Harris attended the course as a learning opportunity in
the Guard and to be able to better inform the public on the role of the
Kansas Army National Guard. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs
tell the National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities
and leaders to provide information and foster positive relationships.
UPARs will accomplish this by organizing events, developing relations
with local community leaders, contacting local media, writing stories
and taking photographs. They will also provide stories and photographs
to be published in the Plains Guardian, The Adjutant General's Department
newspaper. Harris is full time student at Wichita State University
majoring in Exercise Science. She plans to graduate in May of 2004. She
is the daughter of James Fitzer of Erie, and Pat McCurdy of Mulvane. -30- HAVNER ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS
TRAINING Spc. Jon Havner attended a Unit Public Affairs Representative
(UPAR) school held at the Kansas Regional Training Institute, 235th Regiment,
Kansas Army National Guard, in Salina, Kan., on March 6-7. He will take
his new skills back to his home unit, Detachment 1, 226th Engineer Company,
Kansas Army National Guard, based out of Winfield. He will take on the
job of the UPAR as an additional duty to his primary job as Headquarters
Squad Leader in charge of the platoon's construction equipment operators.
Havner, a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, has seven
years in the Kansas Army National Guard, joining for a change of lifestyle.
Raised by his parents Lonnie and Gena Havner, Jon is a native of Winfield.
Havner is a graduate of Winfield High School, class of 1998. He currently
works at the Heartland Stone Company at their limestone rock quarry. His
favorite hobby is working on 4x4 trucks and he has entered Figure Eight
and demolition derbies. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the
National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders
to provide information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish
this by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. -30- HAYS GUARDSMEN ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC
AFFAIRS TRAINING By Spc. Chris Marsh, UPAR Staff Sgt. Donald G. Johnson and Spc. Dale Harwood, both
of Hays, attended the Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR) school
held at the Kansas Regional Training Institute, 235th Regiment, Kansas
Army National Guard, in Salina, Kan., on March 6-7. Johnson is an assistant target acquisition noncommissioned
officer of Battery E, (TA), 161st Field Artillery of Larned. Harwood is a turbine engine mechanic for Detachment 3, 170th
Maintenance Company, Kansas Army National Guard, Russell. Harwood, 36, who is a tank mechanic in his civilian job,
has been a member of the Kansas National Guard for 14 years. Prior to
joining the Guard, he served on active duty in the United States Navy
as a gunners mate. His tours of duty include the North Atlantic Ocean
and Mediterranean Sea. Harwood has also been on active duty during Desert
Storm. Harwood, a graduate of Natoma High School, joined the Guard
to get back to the military life that he missed. He is 2002 graduate of
Fort Hays State University. Harwood is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gorden Harwood of Hays,
Kan. He resides in Hays with his wife, Cindy. He also enjoys fishing,
model building, wood carving and world history. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the
National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders
to provide information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish
this by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. -30- HENRY ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING By Sgt. Keith I. Smith, UPAR Maj. Scott T. Henry, Topeka, attended a Unit Public Affairs Representative
(UPAR) school held at the Kansas Regional Training Institute, 235th Regiment,
Kansas Army National Guard, in Salina, Kan., on March 6-7. Henry is the
Deputy Commander of the 73rd Civil Support Team, Kansas Army National
Guard, whose mission is to support civil authorities in response to terrorist
incidents involving chemical, biological and nuclear threats. "Attending the class will allow me to tell the whole story, in a
clear fashion, to the news media in a crisis situation," said Henry.
Henry served eight years in a military police unit, changing military
careers to the Civil Support Team following the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
Henry and his wife, Michele, have two daughters, Allyson and Hannah.
The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the National Guard
story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders to provide
information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish this
by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. The program was presented
by the Public Affairs Office of The Adjutant General's Department. -30- HORESKY ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS
TRAINING Spc. James Horesky Jr., Norton, attended the Unit Public
Affairs Representative (UPAR) school held at the Kansas Regional Training
Institute, 235th Regiment, Kansas Army National Guard, in Salina, Kan.,
on March 6-7. Horesky is a member of the 170th Maintenance, Kansas Army
National Guard, Norton. Horesky attends Fort Hays State University where he is majoring
in Musical Education and Performance. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the
National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders
to provide information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish
this by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. -30- JAMES ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS
TRAINING Cpl. Robert F. James, Wichita, attended a Unit Public Affairs
Representative (UPAR) school held at the Kansas Regional Training Institute,
235th Regiment, Kansas Army National Guard, in Salina, Kan., on March
6-7. James is a member of Detachment 1, Headquarters and Headquarters
Company, 2nd Battalion 137th Infantry, Kansas Army National Guard, Wichita.
James attended the UPAR school to improve his skills as
the Unit Public Affairs Representative. James and his wife, Melissa, and their two children, Arica,
11, and Ian, 10, reside in Wichita. James is the son of Charles and Connie
James, who also reside in Wichita. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the
National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders
to provide information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish
this by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. -30- JONES ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING By Staff Sgt. Sheila Dues, UPAR Sgt. William J. Jones, McCook, Neb., attended a Unit Public Affairs Representative
(UPAR) school held at the Kansas Regional Training Institute, 235th Regiment,
Kansas Army National Guard, in Salina, Kan., on March 6-7. Jones originally joined the Guard six years ago because he liked the
discipline and professionalism the military offered. "I joined the Guard when I was 24 years old," he said. "I
liked all aspects of the National Guard, and what they represented." Jones will support his unit as the UPAR by increasing community awareness
about the Guard. "I want to be a representative to the community," he said.
"I want people to know why our unit is there and what we can do for
them." Supporting his community is not new to the Guardsman, who supports his
community of McCook, Neb., as a volunteer firefighter and National Registry
Emergency Medical Technician. Jones is a graduate of Southwest Missouri State University with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Agronomy. He and fiancée Bobbi Brown recently relocated from Colby to McCook, Neb., where he will work as a Certified Crop Consultant. -30- By Sgt. 1st Class Ray E. Simmons Spc. Daniel Leech of Minneapolis, Kan., learned some basic journalism
skills while attending the Kansas Army National Guard Unit Public Affairs
Representative Training Course during weekend training March 6-7. The
training, designed to teach citizen-soldiers to tell the Guard's story,
was presented to over 60 soldiers from across Kansas at the Kansas Regional
Training Center in Salina. The soldiers, mostly from other military occupational specialties, have
been assigned as public affairs representatives for their National Guard
units. Leech, age 20, is a communications repairman with Detachment 1,
714th Maintenance Company, Kansas Army National Guard, in Clay Center.
He is a student at Cloud County Community College and a football coach
at Minneapolis Junior High School. "I volunteered for the position," Leech said. Brig. Gen. Jonathan Small, Assistant Adjutant General for Kansas, addressed
the students, stressing the importance of their mission. The training
provided "good information that I can use," said Leech. -30- MANHATTAN SOLDIERS ATTEND UNIT
PUBLIC AFFAIRS TRAINING Spc. Jason Lane and Pfc. Jesse H. Winn II, both of Manhattan,
attended the Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR) school held at
the Kansas Regional Training Institute, 235th Regiment, Kansas Army National
Guard, in Salina, Kan., on March 6-7. Lane is a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company,
891st Engineer Battalion, Kansas Army National Guard, Iola. This course instructed Lane how to write stories, take photos and to be better involved with the news media. Lane received this training to better be able to tell the stories of fellow members of the Kansas Army National Guard. Lane has been in the Army National Guard for six years,
and is a technical engineer specialist. During his service in the Guard, Lane has been overseas
to Germany. He has also served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. A 1999 graduate
of Bogalusa High School, Lane enjoys watching movies and playing games. Winn is a fire direction control crew member with Headquarters
and Headquarters Support Battery, 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery
of Hiawatha. The class taught Winn how to deal with media and civilian
personnel. He also learned how to help his unit to share more with the
local community. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the
National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders
to provide information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish
this by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. -30- MARSH ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS
TRAINING By Spc. Dale Harwood Spc. Chris Marsh, Council Grove, attended the Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR) school held at the Kansas Regional Training Institute, 235th Regiment, Kansas Army National Guard, in Salina, Kan., on March 6-7. Marsh, a third generation soldier, is a member of the 778th
Transportation Company, Kansas Army National Guard in Council Grove. He
has been a member of the Guard of four years. Marsh and his wife, Susan, reside in Council Grove with
their two children, Logan and Hunter. Marsh is the son of Sylvia and John
Riffel. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the
National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders
to provide information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish
this by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. -30- MUELLER ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS
TRAINING By Spc. David Isaacs, UPAR Sgt. 1st Class Jim Mueller, Greenleaf, of Battery A, 2nd
Battalion, 130th Field Artillery, Kansas Army National Guard, Marysville,
attended the Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR) training course
on March 6 and 7, 2004, at the Kansas Regional Training Center in Salina. The UPAR Course is designed to train soldiers to report
about their units' happenings by writing articles and taking pictures
then sending the finished product to media sources such as local newspapers,
radio and television. With 29 years combined service in the Marine Corps and the
Kansas National Guard, Mueller is 1st Platoon's platoon sergeant at Battery
A, and enjoys the "brotherhood" of the uniform. -30- PAVLIS ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS
TRAINING By Pfc. William Warner Sgt. Michael Pavlis attended the Unit Public Affairs Representative
(UPAR) school held at the Kansas Regional Training Institute, 235th Regiment,
Kansas Army National Guard, in Salina, Kan., on March 6-7. Pavlis is a
member of the 731st Medium Truck Company (-), Kansas Army National Guard,
Dodge City. Pavlis, a resident of Garden City, enjoys the Guard because
it gives him a chance to serve his community and country by transporting
supplies and equipment around the nation. Pavlis takes every opportunity
to tell his experiences to those he comes in contact with. "I hope this course will enable me to convey my message
better, and to inform others about the Kansas National Guard more efficiently,"
said Pavlis. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the
National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders
to provide information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish
this by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. -30- PHILLIPS ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS
TRAINING By Sgt. 1st Class S. Blake James, UPAR Sgt. Douglas S. Phillips attended a Unit Public Affairs
Representative (UPAR) school held at the Kansas Regional Training Institute,
235th Regiment, Kansas Army National Guard, in Salina, Kan., on March
6-7. Phillips is an ammunition handler with Detachment 1, Battery A, 1st
Battalion, 161st Field Artillery, Kansas Army National Guard, located
in Liberal. "The family oriented atmosphere in the Kansas Guard
is why I reenlisted after a 15 year break in service," said Phillips.
"Being able to inform my community about my unit and the citizen
soldiers that make it great is my motivation for obtaining the title of
Public Affairs Representative." Phillips has been a member of the Kansas Guard for four
months. In his civilian job, Phillips works as a millwright, and his wife,
Teresa, is employed locally as a bookkeeper with Custom Renovations. They
reside in Hugoton, and have five children, Jesse, 19, Dustin, 18, Megan,
17, Shea, 16 and Noble, 7. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the
National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders
to provide information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish
this by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. -30- SCHWEITZER ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC
AFFAIRS TRAINING By Sgt. Sheree Hicks, UPAR Sgt. Raymond D. Schweitzer, Colby, attended a Unit Public
Affairs Representative (UPAR) school held at the Kansas Regional Training
Institute, 235th Regiment, Kansas Army National Guard, in Salina, Kan.,
on March 6-7. Schweitzer is a member of the Battery B, 1st Battalion,
161st Field Artillery, Kansas Army National Guard, Dodge City. "The training was good," said Schweitzer. "I
hope to put it to good use." Schweitzer is a traditional National Guardsman who has eight
years of military service as a military policeman with the 35th Military
Police Company, Kansas Army National Guard, in Topeka, Kan. He also served
six months in Schweinfurt, Germany, in 2002 in support of Operation Enduring
Freedom. When not performing his weekend drill, Schweitzer is still
protecting the citizens of the state of Kansas as a Police Officer in
Colby. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the
National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders
to provide information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish
this by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. -30- GUARD JOURNALIST RECEIVES REFRESHER
COURSE By Spc. Daniel E. Leech, UPAR Sgt. 1st Class Ray Simmons, a soldier in Headquarters, 35th
Infantry Division at Fort Leavenworth, attended the Kansas Army National
Guard Unit Public Affairs Representative Training Course March 6-7 at
the Kansas Regional Training Center in Salina. He is a print journalist
in the Kansas Army National Guard and carries the position and responsibilities
of Chief Public Affairs Noncommissioned Officer in his unit. The Unit Public Affairs Representative Training Course served
as a refresher course with good information that will help him in the
future. He felt that the course was great training and was glad to see
new Guardsmen receive basic journalism instruction and has hopes that
the course will spark a career for someone that went through it. Simmons says, "The National Guard is a hobby of mine,"
which he has participated in for almost 20 years, a feat in itself. Although
many military personnel retire after 20 years, he is undecided on how
much longer he will remain in the Guard. Simmons lives in Wichita, where he is a lawyer at Ayesh
Law Office. -30- SMITH ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS
TRAINING By Maj. Scott Henry, UPAR Sgt. Keith I. Smith, Bavaria, attended a Unit Public Affairs
Representative (UPAR) school held at the Kansas Regional Training Institute,
235th Regiment, Kansas Army National Guard, in Salina, Kan., on March
6-7. Keith is a crew member with Company B, 108th Aviation, Kansas Army
National Guard (KSARNG) in Salina. "Attending this course will facilitate the real story
of Company B, 108th Aviation and serving the citizens of Kansas,"
Keith said. "Helping the citizens of Kansas understand is important
to me." Keith has been a member of the KSARNG for 15 years. He joined
the National Guard in 1989. He has been a long standing member of Company
B, 108th Aviation in Salina. He was selected to be the Unit Public Affairs
Representative for his long time membership and previous public relations
work within his community. In his civilian employment, Keith is a Biology
teacher for Salina High School Central, Salina. He and his wife, Debbie,
live in Bavaria, with their two children, Tori and Gavin. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the
National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders
to provide information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish
this by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. -30- TOPEKA SOLDIERS ATTEND UNIT PUBLIC
AFFAIRS TRAINING Sgt. 1st Class S. Blake James, Staff Sgt. Sheree Hicks,
Staff Sgt. Roy Taylor and Sgt. Michael Mathewson, all of Topeka, attended
the Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR) school held at the Kansas
Regional Training Institute, 235th Regiment, Kansas Army National Guard,
in Salina, Kan., on March 6-7. James is a member of Detachment 1, 24th Medical Company
(Air Ambulance), Kansas Army National Guard, Topeka. He is a 14-year veteran
of the Guard. Among James' responsibilities are Detachment Noncommissioned
Officer (NCO), Flight Medic, UH-60 Black Hawk Flight Instructor, Unit
Prevention Leader, Readiness NCO and now, Unit Public Affairs Representative. When asked why he joined the Guard, James said, "I
joined to better myself and to support my community and country." James resides with his wife, Stacie, and his two sons, Cody,
7, and Nicholas, 4, in Topeka. His hobbies include playing with his kids
and building computers. Hicks is with the Recruiting and Retention Command, Kansas
Army National Guard, Topeka. She has been with the Kansas National Guard
for four years. Previously Hicks served in the active army for seven years
in Hawaii and other locations, as an administrative clerk. With the training
that she got as a UPAR she now has another important job for the Kansas
National Guard. "I plan to write news releases on recruiting and retention
personnel," said Hicks. "We have several recruiters doing great
things in the field." Taylor, a field artillery targeting noncommissioned officer
is currently assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 130th
Field Artillery Brigade, Topeka. Taylor was selected for the position of Unit Public Affairs
Representative because of his interest in photography and the joy of meeting
people. Mathewson is a member of the Headquarters and Headquarters
Battery, 130th Field Artillery Brigade, Topeka. Mathewson loves to take pictures and talk to people so he
says that he is a natural for the appointment as UPAR. Mathewson spent
18 years on active duty and has been in the Kansas National Guard for
3 years. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the
National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders
to provide information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish
this by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. -30- THURLOW ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS
TRAINING By Sgt. Brent Weems, UPAR Sgt. Curt M. Thurlow attended the Unit Public Affairs Representative
(UPAR) school held at the Kansas Regional Training Institute, 235th Regiment,
Kansas Army National Guard, in Salina, Kan., on March 6-7. Thurlow, 34,
a member of Detachment 2, 935th Aviation Support Company, Kansas Army
National Guard, is a technician for Army Aviation Support Facility located
in Salina. Thurlow has been a member of the Kansas National Guard for
16 years. "I wanted to expand my military education, and this
was a great school for that," said Thurlow. Thurlow graduated from Clay Center Community High School
in 1989 and attended the University of Kansas receiving a degree in mechanical
engineering. He has a son, Galen, age 7. Thurlow's hobbies include motorcycles
and computers. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the
National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders
to provide information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish
this by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. -30- WARNER ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS
TRAINING By Sgt. Michael Pavlis Pfc. William Warner, Johnson, attended the Unit Public Affairs
Representative (UPAR) school held at the Kansas Regional Training Institute,
235th Regiment, Kansas Army National Guard, in Salina, Kan., on March
6-7. Warner is a member of Detachment 1, 731st Medium Truck Company (-),
Kansas Army National Guard, Liberal. Taking the knowledge he learned from attending the course,
Warner looks forward to the opportunity to tell the stories of the soldiers
in the Kansas Army National Guard. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the
National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders
to provide information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish
this by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. -30- WEEMS ATTENDS UNIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS
TRAINING By Sgt. Curt Thurlow, UPAR Sgt. Brent Weems, 28, attended the Unit Public Affairs Representative
(UPAR) school held at the Kansas Regional Training Institute, 235th Regiment,
Kansas Army National Guard, in Salina, Kan., on March 6-7. Weems is a
member of Detachment 1, 935th Aviation Support Battalion, Kansas Army
National Guard, Salina. "I attended the course to expand my military career
and to be a more valuable asset to my Guard unit," said Weems. "I
have been fortunate for all the knowledge the Guard has given me."
Weems has been a member of the Kansas Army National Guard
for 12 years as a petroleum, oil, and lubrications (P.O.L.) specialist
in Salina. Weems and his wife, Jill, are expecting their first child
in the next few months. He has been a truck driver for seven years for
the Douglas Bradley trucking company out of Salina. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the
National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders
to provide information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish
this by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. -30- WICHITA GUARDSMEN ATTEND UNIT PUBLIC
AFFAIRS TRAINING 2nd Lt. Brian Henning, 2nd Lt. Ronda Southall, Sgt. 1st
Class Michel Whisler, Sgt. Christopher M. Perry and Spc. Monica Schmidt,
all of Wichita, attended the Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR)
school held at the Kansas Regional Training Institute, 235th Regiment,
Kansas Army National Guard, in Salina, Kan., on March 6-7. Henning is the 2nd Platoon Leader in the 226th Engineer
Company, Kansas Army National Guard, Augusta. "I joined the Guard to serve my country," said
Henning. Henning, who is a native of Wichita, graduated from Wichita
Collegiate School in 1995. He later attended Kansas State University where
he graduated with a degree in Secondary Education/Mathematics in 2002. Henning's parents are Jim and Susan Boots. Henning's favorite
hobby is participating in paintball exercises. In his civilian job he
is a substitute teacher at Wichita East High. Southall is a member of the 74th Combat Support Company,
Kansas Army National Guard, Topeka. Southall graduated from Doane College in 2000 with a bachelor's
degree in Accounting. Southall and her husband, Jeremey, live in Wichita. She
is employed with a local law firm, as an accountant. Whisler is a member of Detachment 1, Headquarters and Headquarters
Company, 2nd Battalion, 137th Infantry, Kansas Army National Guard, Wichita.
Whisler attended the course in order to better promote his
unit to the local community. Areas of study included writing news releases,
news stories and features. Instruction also included photography, interviewing,
and electronic media. Whisler is a full-time technician at the Organizational
Maintenance Shop (OMS) #3, Kansas Army National Guard, located in Wichita.
He is married to Kieu Ahn of Hanoi, Vietnam, and has two
sons, Michel, age 20, and Robert, age 19. Perry is a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 137th Infantry,
Kansas Army National Guard, Wichita. "I've been in the National Guard for 12 years and have
learned an abundance about the National Guard and now I have an opportunity
to share and bring to the community what I have learned," said Perry. Schmidt is a member of the 323rd Missile Support Company
(-), Kansas Army National Guard (KSARNG) in Wichita, Kan. "I think being the unit's UPAR will be a great opportunity
to show our community what our unit does," says Schmidt. She has been in the KSARNG for two and half years. She joined
the Guard in 2001, starting as a private with the 323rd Missile Support
Company. She was promoted to specialist in January 2003. In her civilian life, she is a student at Wichita State
University studying biology. She is engaged to be married May 22, 2004
to Benjamin Olson of Houston, Texas. The UPAR course is designed to help unit UPARs tell the
National Guard story, reaching out to many Kansas communities and leaders
to provide information and foster positive relationships. UPARs will accomplish
this by organizing events, developing relations with local community leaders,
contacting local media, writing stories and taking photographs. They will
also provide stories and photographs to be published in the Plains Guardian,
The Adjutant General's Department newspaper. -30- |
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