Cover Story:
Bicultural, Bilingual, Proud: Soldier reflects on dual heritage
The Capitol Response mission in Washington D.C. has been emblematic of the diversity of the Guard, with countless backgrounds represented in the more than 26,000 National Guardsmen that were on duty at the missions peak.
Spc. Marisol Gameros, who was assigned to the Vermont National Guard at the Naval Observatory in D.C., was the first person in her family born in the United States. She returned with her family to Mexico six months after being born, to Tuxpan, Mayarit, the same town her parents had initially left.
Promotions
Army National Guard
- First Sgt. Matthew Kehaya
- Master Sgt. Roger Nadeau Jr.
- Master Sgt. Allen Rumrill Jr.
- Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Allen
- Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Benard
- Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Downey
- Sgt. 1st Class Oscar Gomez
- Sgt. 1st Class Robby Johnson
- Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Lane
- Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Sanderson
- Sgt. 1st Class William Thibeault
- Sgt. 1st Class Jay Tooley
- Sgt. 1st Class Wesly Walter
- Sgt. 1st Class Richard Yanney
- Staff Sgt. Angelo Barton
- Staff Sgt. Jeremy Breckenridge
- Staff Sgt. Christopher Cwieka
- Staff Sgt. Bailey Gokey
- Staff Sgt. Daniel Hermansson
- Staff Sgt. Brian Jones
- Staff Sgt. Mariah Ladeau
- Staff Sgt. Damian Mason
- Staff Sgt. Richard McGrail III
- Staff Sgt. Michael Menard
- Staff Sgt. John Montgomery II
- Staff Sgt. Jeremy Nadeau
- Staff Sgt. Conner Norton
- Staff Sgt. Nathan Poro
- Staff Sgt. Samuel Scovel
- Staff Sgt. Brandon Sowers
- Staff Sgt. Matthew Vail
- Staff Sgt. James Wasmer
- Sgt. Nicholas Aleksonis
- Sgt. Shane Arcilla
- Sgt. Brennan Bordonaro
- Sgt. Dusty Carter Jr.
- Sgt. Jonathan Garrant
- Sgt. Joshua Goodell
- Sgt. David Hernandez
- Sgt. Joshua Lindor
- Sgt. Gillian McCreedy
- Sgt. Connor Mello
- Sgt. Nathan Severance
- Sgt. Jeremy Smith
- Sgt. Joshua Smith
- Sgt. Skye Stevens
- Sgt. Autumn Tourangeau
- Sgt. Jeric Tyler
- Cpl. Connor Bushee
- Cpl. Kesler Lyons
- Spc. Paul Abbruzzese
- Pfc. Nicholas Aiken
- Pfc. Tucker McMann
- Pfc. Glenn Nutting
- Pfc. Maria-Elisha Saba
- Pfc. Jonas Schroeder
- Pfc. Matthew Ward
- Pvt. Avril DeSautels
- Pvt. Henry Kenyon
Air National Guard
- Tech. Sgt. Floyd Guerin
- Tech. Sgt. Jaime Leo
- Tech. Sgt. Shawn Mason
- Staff Sgt. Anthony Childs
- Staff Sgt. Fallon Quinn
- Senior Airman Jana Somero
TAG's Corner
In the first March edition of TAG's Corner, Maj. Gen. Greg Knight discussed Women's History Month and diversity within the Vermont National Guard with Army Staff Sgt. Trisha Emmons.
General Knight held a town hall along with Brig. Gen. David Manfredi, the director of joint staff, and Air Force Col. David Shevchik, the 158th Fighter Wing commander, to speak about concerns related to service member conduct and F-35 Lightning II training.
NGB chief honors Soldiers, Airmen during visit
Senior leaders with the National Guard Bureau in Washington recognized several Vermont National Guard Soldiers and Airmen for their accomplishments during a visit to the Green Mountain State Feb. 26.
Gen. Daniel Hokanson, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, gave challenge coins to several Soldiers and Airmen who exemplified the Vermont Guard’s mission to take care of its residents, who excelled in recruiting efforts, and who helped improve recruiting and retention with an eye toward diversity.
COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
The combined Vermont Air and Army National Guard group comprising Task Force Coyote transitioned March 3 from Covid-19 testing to providing vaccinations to the public.
Supporting the Vermont Department of Health, 32 Vermont National Guard Soldiers and Airmen provided support ranging from directing visitors, registration, and vaccinations in a reconfigured conference room at the Burlington Doubletree Inn.
TAG speaks with Vermont Commission on Women
Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Greg Knight and several women leaders within the Vermont National Guard spoke via teleconference with members of the Vermont Commission on Women March 10.
In opening remarks, Knight said he has taken action to create a diverse climate and to provide an environment where innovation can thrive.
“In some instances, our actions are a first for the Vermont National Guard, leading to the sharing of best practices with other states and the National Guard Bureau,” he said.
First ANG F-35 pilot graduates from USAF Weapons School
Nationally recognized as the first Air National Guard unit to be tasked with the F-35A Lightning II mission, Vermont’s 158th Fighter Wing now welcomes another title: home of the first ANG F-35 pilot to graduate from the U.S. Air Force Weapons School.
Maj. Howard Shaner, an F-35A Lightning II pilot assigned to the Vermont ANG's 134th Fighter Squadron, is the first ever Air National Guard F-35 pilot to graduate from this course.
158th FW recognized in National Guard Bureau 2020 Media Contest
The 158th Fighter Wing received three first-place awards in the National Guard Bureau’s 2020 Contest, and Public Affairs Specialist Julie Paroline was named runner-up for Air National Guard communicator of the year, the Vermont adjutant general announced March 12.
“These awards highlight the remarkable talent of our 158th Fighter Wing public affairs team,” Maj. Gen. Greg Knight said. “They are truly outstanding and continue to help showcase our Vermont National Guard team to share the great work you are all doing.”