Army spouse

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National Guard supports 59th Presidential Inauguration

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National Guard security mission at U.S. Capitol concludes
May 23, 2021 — ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Guard’s U.S. Capitol security mission to support the U.S. Capitol... MORE

National Guard Soldiers provide security outside the U.S. Capitol during the 59th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, as part of the National Guard’s Capitol Response security mission.

Nevada National Guard trio honored for aiding crash victim
May 17, 2021 — LAS VEGAS – Three Nevada Guard Soldiers from 1st Squadron 221 Cavalry were recognized for helping a... MORE

Capt. Tyler Wistisen, left, 1st Lt. Michael Flury and Capt. Tana Gurule were honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars with the Life Saving Award at the Clark County Armory in Las Vegas May 14, 2021. While in the nation's capital in January supporting the presidential inauguration, the Soldiers assisted a Virginia woman injured in a car crash.

Synchronization a must in continued Guard support to Capitol
April 7, 2021 — ARLINGTON, Va. – When discussing the most recent rotation of National Guard members supporting U.S... MORE

Soldiers with the New Jersey Army National Guard’s A Troop and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 102nd Cavalry Division, and U.S. Capitol Police officers confer with each other hours after a vehicle rammed a barricade killing one Capitol Police officer and injuring another one at the U.S. Capitol April 2, 2021. The New Jersey Army Guard unit is one of several that continue to support the security mission at the Capitol — made possible by the synchronization efforts involving the National Guard Bureau, the District of Columbia National Guard and Guard units from 11 states.

National Guard units supporting Capitol mission return home
March 17, 2021 — WASHINGTON – More than half the 5,000 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen who have been supporting... MORE

A Soldier supporting the Capitol Response mission in Washington, D.C., out-processes at the District of Columbia Armory March 12, 2021. Soldiers in the nation's capital are redeploying to their home states, with about 2,000 Guard members asked to continue to assist federal law enforcement with security, communications, medical evacuation, logistics, and safety through mid-May.

DCNG inauguration support ribbon recognizes service
March 15, 2021 — WASHINGTON – National Guard members from any state, territory or the District of Columbia who... MORE

Military awards worn by a District of Columbia Army National Guard Soldier in Washington, D.C., March 10, 2021, include the D.C. National Guard Presidential Inauguration Support Ribbon on the bottom right. The ribbon is authorized for award to National Guard members from any state, territory or the District of Columbia who supported the 59th presidential inauguration on Title 32 orders.

In historic year, Washington National Guard answers the call
March 11, 2021 — CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – To describe 2020 as unprecedented would be an understatement. "This past year... MORE

Staff Sgt. Melinda Grounds, a medic with the 141st Medical Group and a registered nurse in Idaho, goes through a questionnaire with a visitor to the mass vaccination site at the Clark County Fairgrounds in Ridgefield, Wash., Jan. 28, 2021. The Washington National Guard is helping at four vaccination sites.

Father, daughter serve together in nation's capital
March 1, 2021 — WASHINGTON – "Keeping families involved is important to the success of all our Soldiers," said 1st... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Carl Mattonen stands with his daughter, Spc. Carlie Mattonen, both with Forward Support Company, 107th Engineer Battalion, Michigan National Guard, near the U.S. Capitol in Washington Feb. 26, 2021.

Michigan National Guard helps sustain the force in DC
February 12, 2021 — WASHINGTON – Soldiers with Forward Support Company, 107th Engineer Battalion, Michigan Army National... MORE

Soldiers from the Michigan National Guard’s Forward Support Company, 107th Engineer Battalion, based in Marquette, and the 177th Military Police Brigade, based in Taylor, join other Soldiers in food distribution at the U.S. Capitol Feb. 7, 2021. The National Guard is supporting law enforcement in the nation's capital through mid-March.

Michigan Soldier maintains connection with home, work
February 9, 2021 — WASHINGTON – Soldiers with the 1433rd Engineer Company, Michigan National Guard, served in the... MORE

1st Lt. Darren Tanis, executive officer of the Michigan Army National Guard’s 1433rd Engineer Company, based in Fort Custer, Michigan, stands near the U.S. Capitol in Washington Feb. 3, 2021. The National Guard is supporting federal law enforcement in the nation's capital through mid-March.

Australian Army captain continues to serve with DC National Guard
February 8, 2021 — WASHINGTON - January's inauguration support by the National Guard was unique in many ways, with more... MORE

Australian Army Capt. Dustin Gold, a reserve officer from the Royal Australian Artillery 9th Regiment, participates in a Reserve Forces Foreign Exchange Program with D.C. National Guard in Washington D.C., Jan. 23, 2021.

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Video by Sgt. Jesse Untalan

Army spouse's dedication to unit, families recognized by state

8th Theater Sustainment Command

Dec. 18, 2013 | 3:20

It's one of the toughest jobs on the planet, kissing loved ones goodbye for months or even years at a time. But just like in their Soldiers' ranks, Army spouses lead, pull resources together, make decisions, and are voices of direction and reason. When the 130th Engineer Brigade headquarters deployed in August, the unit turned to Erika Gronenthal, a Long Island, N.Y., native and the wife of Capt. Victor Gronenthal, for that leadership.

Developing pre-deployment strategies for soldiers' families and hosting get-togethers for spouses to meet and form supportive bonds are just a few of the reasons she was awarded Hawaii's Outstanding Military Key Spouse Award during military appreciation night as the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football program hosted the Army Black Knights, Nov. 30, at Aloha Stadium.

This is the 10th consecutive year that the award's sponsor, the Hawaii Navy League, has honored the outstanding spouses of deployed service members.

"Erika has a big heart and is one of the most generous people that I've met," said Lt. Col. Anela Arcari, commander for the 130th Engineer Battalion (Provisional). "We were blessed because Erika's husband has been a commander before, and so she was familiar with how Family Readiness Groups are run and their usefulness. She knew when they came to this unit that it was only four months before the deployment and realized that her role would be that much more significant."

Since coming to the unit last year, Erika has developed its FRG into a multi-echelon network of information and spousal support.

"I see it as a privilege to be the FRG leader," she said. "It's been such an honor to get to meet all these families, to develop these relationships, and to be able to support them during a deployment."

Arcari said, "Communicating to the families, getting the families together, having some fun, passing out important information: Erika was a leader in making that happen.

"I think spouses appreciate the information that comes from the FRG," she added. "It gives an opportunity for veteran spouses to tell and show them what it's like to go through a deployment."

Erika and her husband are on their third deployment, which makes her a veteran spouse and a well of information. She also has a son with another on the way, so that makes her an authority on children and pregnancy during a deployment as well.

In the Army, the mark of a great commander is expressing legitimate care and concerns for the soldiers and families in their unit.

"There's no doubt in my mind that Erika, in all that I've seen her do, cares as deeply for this unit as any soldier in it," Arcari said.

Multimedia Product by Sgt. Jesse Untalan, 8th Theater Sustainment Command Public Affairs
Story by Staff Sgt. Gaelen Lowers, 8th Theater Sustainment Command Public Affairs. Available in high definition.