New York Army National Guard Command Sgt. Major Frank Wicks, a Sand Lake Resident, Invited to Inagural Ball

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Command Sgt. Major Frank Wicks

LATHAM, NY (01/17/2013)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Command Sergeant Major Frank Wicks, a Sand Lake resident, will be one of four New York Army National Guard members attending one of President Barack Obama's two inaugural balls on Monday, Jan. 21.

Wicks and his wife Beth will attend the Commander –in-Chief's Ball. The Commander-in-Chief's Ball is one of two inaugural balls which the president sponsors. It is open to members of the military and their guests.

President George W. Bush organized the first Commander-in-Chief's Ball in 2005 and President Obama has continued the tradition to honor Active Duty and Reserve service members.

He is one of 230 members of the Army and Air National Guard attending at the invitation of the president.

President and Mrs. Obama are expected to make an appearance at the ball and deployed troops in Afghanistan will be able to observe the festivities via video.

Wicks is the top non-commissioned officer for the 10,500-member New York Army National Guard, and a veteran of the War in Iraq.

Wicks has served in every noncommissioned officer leadership position from company to brigade to troop command. He has also served as an instructor at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy.

Wicks mobilized and deployed as the 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry and Task Force Hunter Command Sergeant Major in October 2003 to the Sunni Triangle in Iraq, serving as the senior noncommissioned officer in the conduct of combat and stability operations of the Task Force during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with bronze oak leaf cluster), Army Commendation Medal (with 2 bronze oak leaf clusters), Army Achievement Medal (with bronze oak leaf cluster), Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (with 4 bronze oak leaf clusters), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal ("M" device 4th award, bronze hourglass), the NCO Professional Development Ribbon (with numeral 4), Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, and the Combat Infantryman's Badge.

In the civilian sector, Wicks is employed by the New York State Police as a Manager of Information Services in Albany, N.Y. He is currently on leave from his civilian job to serve in his present position.