Joining Hands to Help Guard Families
In March 2005, AMVETS established an outreach program with the National Guard Bureau (NGB) to bolster support for National Guard service members and their families, who face increasing deployments in the War on Terror. The program, formalized by a Memorandum of Understanding signed by 2004-05 AMVETS National Commander William A. Boettcher and National Guard Bureau Chief Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum, will significantly expand the National Guard Family Programs volunteer network and is a first for the NGB and a national veterans service organization.
On March 23, AMVETS established an outreach program with the National Guard Bureau (NGB) to bolster support for National Guard service members and their families, who face increasing deployments in the War on Terror. The program, formalized by a Memorandum of Understanding signed by AMVETS National Commander William A. Boettcher and National Guard Bureau Chief Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum (right), will significantly expand the National Guard Family Programs volunteer network and is a first for the NGB and a national veterans service organization.
“As veterans, we fully appreciate what it means to have support on the home front for our men and women,” said Boettcher, adding, “It’s particularly important for those who serve in the National Guard, where families often do not live in close proximity to the services normally available to active duty personnel.”
National Guard families are scattered across 4,000 communities nationwide, and AMVETS’ 1,300 posts and 41 state departments are in a unique position to provide valuable assistance. In fact, many posts and departments have already taken active steps to help local Guard units by raising money for the Family Readiness Fund, sending care packages to deployed troops and otherwise supporting family members while their loved ones are away serving. “There’s a lot we can do,” said Boettcher. “And we’re looking to do more—at all levels of the organization—to help those who are sacrificing so much.”
NG Dept. Liaison Job Description PDF
AMVETS PNC John Lorec National Guard
Volunteer of the Year Award
AMVETS Award for exceptional volunteers in the National Guard Family Program. Honoring those individuals who have given extraordinary service to the families of our National Guard Troops.
Explanation & Award Criteria PDF
Official Nomination Form PDF