Mayor Gray Recognizes Distinguished Capital Guardsmen

Related Media

D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray thanks Soldiers and Airman for their service during the D.C. National Guard's Awards and Decorations Ceremony on Dec. 4. (U.S. Army Photo by SSgt. G.H. Cureton).

WASHINGTON, DC (12/05/2011)(readMedia)-- Mayor Vincent C. Gray joined Army Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz, commanding general, D.C. National Guard, and members of D.C. National Guard for their annual Awards and Decorations Ceremony Sunday, December 4 at the D.C. Armory.

This year's ceremony focused on the service of the D.C. National Guard in the 10 years since the September 11th terrorist attacks, but also emphasized several accomplishments over the past year.

The Awards and Decorations Ceremony is designed to recognize the dedication and service of the D.C. National Guardsmen and their families. That recognition of sacrifice extended across the globe to two D.C. Guard units deployed to Afghanistan patched in by a live video chat.

Mayor Gray, keynote speaker, highlighted the collaboration between the D.C. National Guard and the city in times of crisis and triumph. One program the mayor spoke about was Youth ChalleNGe, a National Guard program designed to train and teach high school dropouts between the ages of 16-18 in life skills necessary to succeed as productive citizens.

Other keynote speakers included Arlington County Fire Chief James Schwartz, and D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Chief Kenneth B. Ellerbe.

The Awards and Decorations Ceremony concluded by honoring distinguished Capital Guardians and their families for their dedication and service to our country. During the ceremony, the Commanding General recognized service members who deployed multiple times.

The ceremony concluded with the tradition of playing and singing the Army and Air Force songs.

By Spc. Kelley Oaks

715th Public Affairs Detachment