NEW ORLEANS - The Louisiana National Guard's Office of Family Programs celebrated the contributions of Guard families and friends by sponsoring a conference here May 21-23.
"The Military Family - Devotion, Commitment, and Sacrifice: The Heartbeat of Deployment Cycle Support " was the theme for this year's conference.
"I want to thank you for what you do to keep our Louisiana National Guard strong," said Army Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, adjutant general of the Louisiana National Guard and keynote speaker for the weekend workshop.
The conference recognized participants for the long hours they devote to military family programs. It also gave them an opportunity to network with fellow volunteers and to learn about resources that are available to help improve their Family Programs.
"The most important thing people take away from this is the interaction with other volunteers throughout the state and the resources that are available to them," said Danielle P. Trosclair, Louisiana Air National Guard Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program specialist.
Participants were able to attend a variety of seminars offered by the Office of Family Programs and other service providers on various topics affecting families such as Community Resources, Children and Resiliency, Avoiding Volunteer Burnout, Coping with Anger after Deployment, Suicide Prevention and Domestic Violence.
"I enjoy helping the families get information so that they are not in the dark," said Carrie G. Matirne, family assistance specialist for the New Orleans area. "These workshops empower volunteers to do their jobs at their units." Matirne has been a volunteer and employee with Family Programs for 12 years.
"Attending workshops helps you to better understand what the military member is going through," added Tonya J. Ray, volunteer and wife of an Army 2nd Lt. Anthony B. Ray.
"There is this overwhelming sense of accomplishment when you help a family," added Barbara T. Conway, family assistance specialist for the Shreveport, La., area. "We want to show the world of Family Programs to people."
The OFP provided childcare services for the participants' children and brought them to the Audubon Nature Institute Insectarium and the Aquarium of the Americas.
"We strive to provide an environment where military kids can have fun and realize that they are not the only ones with a parent, brother or sister in the military," said Angela D. Ott, Child and Youth Coordinator for the Office of Family Programs. "Every day I get to be a part of military kids' lives and let them know that they are loved and special. They are heroes too."
One of the activities of this year's conference was the annual presentation of awards to the various participants. Awards for Family of the Year, Family Readiness Group of the Year, Newsletter of the Year, and Volunteer of the Year were presented for both Army and Air National Guard participants. Two of this year's awardees were Air Force Tech. Sgts. John and Crystal Larrieu of Covington, La., Air Guard Family of the Year; and Capt. Gregory and Lisa Carlson, Army Guard Family of the Year.
"This is a great opportunity to recognize the sacrifices of the Larrieus. Their achievements would not be possible without the support they receive from home," said Air Force Col. Pete Stavros, 159th Fighter Wing vice commander, as he presented the award.
"Without the contributions and support of the Carlsons, the 199th Brigade Support Battalion and 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team would be greatly affected. This family reflects the true meaning of Citizen Soldier," said Army 1st Lt. David A. Baise Jr., who accepted the award on behalf of the Army Family of the Year.
"We are grateful that these Soldiers, Airmen, spouses and volunteers are here and look forward to assisting them in any way possible," said retired Army Col. John R. Angelloz, Louisiana National Guard reintegration officer. "Without the support of families and volunteers, our service members could not remain focused on the mission."