Family Readiness Honors Groups, Individuals For Support to Citizen-Soldiers
at 2004 Workshop, Conference

A host of individuals and groups were honored, Saturday, Aug. 14, for the roles they each play in supporting families and their Citizen-Soldiers during the second annual Georgia National Guard Family Readiness Workshop and Leadership Conference.

From left Capt. John Adams, commander of Kennesaw's 190th Military Police Company; 1st Sgt. Anthony Williams, the 190th's senior NCO; Carla Caldwell and Robyn Burgess, co-chairs of the 190th's Family Readiness Group; and Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, The Adjutant General. The 190th received the 2004 Outstanding Family Readiness Group Award. (Georgia National Guard photo by Spc Heather McLemore)

The conference and awards banquet was held at Atlanta's Renaissance Concourse Hotel. At least 32 other people and organizations also were honored for their support of families and their Soldiers.

More than 400 Soldiers, Airmen, mid-level and senior Guard leaders, and their family members attended.

Named this year's Volunteer of the Year Award -- Army -- is Woodstock resident Cara Caldwell, co-chair of the family readiness group for Kennesaw's 190th Military Police Company. Caldwell's husband Staff Sgt. Carol Caldwell is a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 190th on drill weekend, but is a full-time production sergeant with the Guard's Organizational Maintenance Shop in Atlanta.

She and co-chair Robyn Burgess would also accept the award for Outstanding Family Support Group of the Year.

Above, Janice Smith, 2004 Family Readiness Volunteer of the Year -- Air; and Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, The Adjutant General. Smith received the award for her work with the family readiness group at Macon's 202nd Engineering Installation Squadron. (Georgia National Guard photo by Spc Heather McLemore)

Janice Smith of Macon, newsletter editor and deployment coordinator for the family readiness group at Macon's 202nd Engineering Installation Squadron (EIS), received the 2004 Family Readiness Volunteer of the Year Award -- Air. Smith's husband is Master Sgt. John Smith, a vehicle maintenance technician with the 202nd.

Pat Wimpy (left), a member of the 110th Corps Support Battalion Family Readiness Group in Columbus, was one of 20 individuals named runner-up for the 2004 Family Readiness Volunteer of the Year Award. Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia's Adjutant General. presented the award to Wimpy. (Georgia National Guard photo by Spc Heather McLemore)

Runners-up for the 2004 Volunteer of the Year Award include Jennifer Long; Mary Long; Judy Young; Betty Smith; Pat Wimpy; Shearnell Smith; Darlene Edwards; Joanne Bennett; Maj. Charles and Joni Bennett; Angela Beri; and Susan Babot. Also named as runners-up are Cynthia Boyette; Bonnie Taylor; Shelia Dodd; Monica Fortson; Wendy Strickland; Carrissa Rosenbur; Rae Williams; and Capt. Woodrow Miller.

Runner-up for this year's Outstanding Group Award is the 202nd EIS Family Readiness Group.

Special Appreciation awards were presented to Stephanie Crenshaw; Doreen Worden; Felicia Henderson; Doug and Dian Markle; Eunika Smalls and Robyn Burgess. Awards also were presented to Nikki Olive; Genva Dumas; Flora Jennings; Ocie Jones and Janice Williams.

Before the ceremony ended, Burgess would have the Georgia Meritorious Service Medal pinned to her gown by Brig. Gen. Larry H. Ross, commander of Decatur's 78th Troop Command. She received the honor for her work as battalion family readiness coordinator at Kennesaw's 781st Troop Command.

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