WWW.USVETERANSMAGAZINE.COM U.S. VETERANS MAGAZINE 131
Expert/TEDx Speaker. Christy was been honored as a 2021 Force for Change Award finalist, 2020 Remarkable Woman finalist, the 2019 Top 30 Women Military Influencer and the 2018 Air Force Spouse of the Year. Her message to the delegates, based on her life experiences, was heart- warming, and many tears were shed. She left the delegates with an inspiring message - Live more. Fear less. Wrapping up a full day, delegates convened for the NCOA Annual Business Meeting, where MSgt Robert Barnett, USAF (Ret.), of Huntsville, Alabama, and MSG Marty Wazbinski, USAR (Ret.), of Midland, Michigan, were elected to serve on the NCOA Board of Directors. Meanwhile, members of the International Auxiliary attended the Auxiliarys Annual Business Meeting, where Ashley Gardner of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Karen Haltiner of Oregon City, Oregon, and Suzan Ytzen of Colorado Springs, Colorado, were elected to serve on the Auxiliary Board of Directors. The Auxiliarys outstanding performers were recognized - the Bettsy Ross Top Recruiter Award for 2021 was presented to the Gateway Auxiliary, Patricia Pat Weaver received the Auxiliary Top Supporter Award and the Auxiliarys Presidents Award was presented to Veronica Ronnie Mace. The Knights of the Square Table held their annual assembly to accomplish the business of the Knights of the Square Table - new Knights were dubbed, existing Knights were elevated, fallen Knights were honored and the course for the upcoming year was set. Sir Paul Siverson of Jacksonville, North Carolina, assumed the mantle as Grand Knight. Thursday kicked off with The NCO Fighting in Space and Cyber Panel, with NCOA President Kingsbury moderating. Participating were CSM Sheryl D. Lyon, USCYBERCOM and NSA/ CSS Senior Enlisted Leader, and MGySgt Scott H. Stalker, Command Senior Enlisted Leader of the United States Space Command. NCOA sponsors also provided a variety of professional development briefings - USAA; Former SEAC CSM John W. Troxell with Veterans Lending Group; United HealthCare; CSM Michael L. Gragg, the Command Sergeant Major of the Defense Health Agency; Mr. John Boerstler, Chief Veterans Experience Officer with the Department of Veterans Affairs; and James Rodriguez, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Labor VETS. The stars shined brightly on Thursday evening during the Vanguard Awards Banquet, where CMSgt (Ret.) Jim Sullivan, chairman of the Central Valley Chapter, served as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Hats off to Jim for a job exceptionally well done! NCOA's superstar chapters were recognized. The Rogue Chapter from Medford, Oregon, was recognized as the 2021 Outstanding Large Chapter of the Year, and the Gateway Chapter from New Port Richey, Florida, was named the 2021 Outstanding Small Chapter of the Year. The Spirit of Sacramento Auxiliary from Sacramento, California, received the 2021 Auxiliary Chapter of the Year Award. The guest speaker for the evening was CSM Todd W. Sims, Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Forces Command. Then the focus turned to the reason for the evening - honoring this years heroic Military Vanguard Award recipients. The amazing stories of CSM Jacob L. Smith, U.S. Army; GySgt Cody S. Mongosa, U.S. Marine Corps; IT1 (SW/AW/ EXW) Justin S. Osborne, U.S. Navy; MSgt Franz S. Workman IV, U.S. Air Force and SN Thomas J. Borden, U.S. Coast Guard, had delegates glued to their seats with tears in their eyes. The Vanguard stories appear elsewhere on the NCOA website. The Vanguard recipients also received a coin plaque from the American Freedom Foundation. Friday morning was the Breakfast with the Board - nothing like a hearty, hot breakfast to start the day off right as delegates prepared to depart amid promises to keep in touch and choruses of see you next year. We would be remiss if we didnt thank our generous affinity partners and sponsors whose support helped make this years conference a resounding success. A huge THANKS to our Conference Partner, USAA, our Platinum Sponsor, Veterans Lending Group and our Vanguard Sponsors - USAA, United HealthCare, Veterans Lending Group, BlueCross BlueShield FEP Dental and Vision Programs, and the NCOA JROTC Program. For a complete list of sponsors, visit the Conference page on the NCOA website.
Source: NCOA
Previous Page