First Army’s Honore To Speak At Annual Guard Conference

Family Readiness Conference April 13-15, 2007

Lieutenant Gen. Russell Honore, commander U.S. First Army at Fort Gillem, is among this year’s guest speakers at the Georgia Guard’s annual Family Readiness Conference set for April 13 to 15.

This year’s event takes place at the Marriott Augusta Hotel and Suites in Augusta. Honore is scheduled to speak to assembled guests during the conference’s second day.

Training sessions for members of unit family readiness groups from around the state will be held throughout the conference.  Each session will provide participants with knowledge for improving the assistance they offer to the families of Georgia’s Army and Air Guardsmen.

During the conference’s annual banquet scheduled for the night of April 14, awards for Volunteer of the Year and other. More than 20 nominations have so far been submitted, said staff at the Family Readiness Office.

The annual Outstanding Family Readiness and Support Award acknowledges outstanding contributions of eligible nominees who have provided exceptional family readiness support.  Three award recipients are selected annually, one from the Army National Guard, one Air National Guard and one Army or Air unit.

Also presented is the Special Appreciation Award. It’s given to individuals who may not meet the criteria for the Outstanding Volunteer Award, but who should be recognized for their contributions to the Family Readiness Program.

Award nominees for outstanding volunteer or special appreciation awardees must be National Guard members, family members, National Guard Retiree, Family Readiness and Support Group volunteers, or a specific unit of the Georgia Army or Air National Guard. Candidates may be nominated for significant outstanding contributions, which improved the quality of life and provided exceptional support to Family Readiness in your National Guard unit or local community.

All nomination must include a narrative statement, not to exceed 800 words, describing how the candidate’s work or contribution benefited Army or Air Quality of Life programs, and has provided exceptional support to Family Readiness in your National Guard unit or local community.

Nominations must be turned into Altamese Finch by March 12, and they must have a commander’s approval attached. All awards will be presented at the Family Readiness Conference.