Unsung Hero Goes Above and Beyond for Her Unit

Galesburg Army National Guard Family Readiness Leader Brings Cohesion to Unit

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Jodi Cox of Edwardsville, the 444th Chemical Company’s Family Readiness Group leader, is creating new and unique ideas to get Soldiers and their families involved in activities together.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (04/21/2011)(readMedia)-- Throwing pies in your first sergeant's face, bowling with a pumpkin and throwing a luau with a live band aren't things you would expect from an Illinois Army National Guard unit.

Jodi Cox of Edwardsville is the 444th Chemical Company Family Readiness Group (FRG) leader and has created new and unique ideas to get Soldiers and their families involved in activities together.

Cox has been the FRG leader for the Galesburg unit for more than a year and has held nearly a dozen successful events for the Soldiers. The FRG has held events such as taco and movie night, biscuits and gravy breakfast after the annual physical fitness test, the post annual training luau, Hallowgiving (dressing up in Halloween costumes, eating a Thanksgiving dinner and playing games), an American Red Cross blood drive, Wieners for Warriors, the Sweetheart's Ball and will be cooking bratwurst for the troops at the Marseilles Training Center range during April's drill.

"Our group sees first-hand what our Soldiers sacrifice," said Cox. "We see Soldiers forfeiting time with their families and ultimately affording the American people security and their own freedom."

Cox understands Soldiers are not always motivated to go to drill after working or going to school all week and they may not want to participate in an FRG activity. Cox and her small group of six volunteers are willing to try anything to get Soldiers involved, from raising money by throwing pies in someone's face to getting the entire unit to dress up in Halloween costumes and eat a Thanksgiving style dinner and play games such as the baby bottle burp.

Prior to being the FRG leader, Cox said she never understood what goes on during drill weekends. She encourages every Soldier to get their loved ones involved in the FRG in any capacity possible."I see firsthand why my Soldier is unavailable to take phone calls during drill," said Cox. "He is really busy and they keep him moving all weekend. Before he would disappear into a vacuum for two to 10 days, but now I get it."

Valerie Bahena, the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade family readiness support assistant based in Chicago, nominated Cox as an "Unsung Hero" for all of her motivation to do events for almost every holiday or longer drill weekend. FRGs are only required to meet quarterly, but according to Bahena, Cox and her group go beyond expectations.

"I have seen Jodi's FRG enhance unit togetherness," said Bahena. "The 444th FRG has a strong positive attitude that the unit is deployment ready due to the cohesion and confidence the servicemembers, FRG and the family members have developed."

Cox said that the FRG's inspiration comes from the sacrifices their Soldiers make on a daily bases. She said she enjoys being the FRG leader and setting up events for the 444th Soldiers.

"I enjoy the comradery with my amazing volunteers," said Cox. "I do have to say I (enjoy) watching the Soldiers do all the goofy games we make up. It really is priceless entertainment."

The horizon is the limit when it comes to the 444th FRG and what it will come up with next.

"Our volunteers keep showing up, so we must be doing something right," said Cox. "We will try anything once; if it works . . . great! If it does not work we won't do it again."

Story by Army Staff Sgt. Stephanie McCurry, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs

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