TAG's Corner
We lost one of our own on Nov. 7 when retired Staff Sgt. Wesley Black passed away from colon cancer. He was a great husband, father, Soldier, firefighter, and an outstanding member of our community. He fought tirelessly to get the VA to listen to veterans deployed to areas with burn pits, and the burn pit registry is a reflection of his efforts.
If you've deployed to a location with burn pits since 9/11, please take a few minutes to sign up, even if you haven't experienced any ill effects. If you know a veteran who was deployed to one of those areas, encourage them to register.
Army National Guard Promotions
Promotions will be printed here soon and in December's newsletter.
Air National Guard Promotions
- Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Eddy
- Senior Airman William Dubocq
- Senior Airman Alexander Mitchell
COVER STORY: New command chief warrant officer appointed
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Scott Beaulieu succeeded Chief Warrant Officer 5 James Woodworth as the Vermont National Guard’s command chief warrant officer in a change of responsibility ceremony at Joint Force Headquarters here Nov. 7, 2021.
The change of responsibility ceremony serves a dual function of rendering honors to the departing command chief warrant officer and providing official recognition of the transfer of responsibility as the senior warrant officer of the Vermont Army National Guard to the incoming command chief warrant officer.
Knight wishes Vermont Guardsmen a happy Veterans Day
Happy Veterans Day! Thank you for your service. On Veterans Day, we honor your service to our communities, state and nation. Wherever and whenever you are needed, you serve willingly.
As you may have heard me say before, we live in a world where all too many say "I can't" or "I won't" when asked about serving in our military. Despite the challenges, sacrifice and inconvenience - and it is rarely convenient - each of you said "I will serve." Where would we be as a nation without people like you? Given the past year and half, it is a rhetorical question.
158th Fighter Wing's Road to Combat
The lineage of the Vermont Air National Guard goes back to 1942 with a storied history of always being ready for any challenge, with incredible support from home.
When America was in need during World War II, 500 members of the Universal Engineering Co. of Frankenmuth, Michigan, after buying war bonds, donating blood and serving as air wardens, decided to pool their money together.
Their purchase? A P-51 Mustang fighter which was turned over to the U.S. Army Air Forces and assigned to the 530th Fighter Group, predecessor of Vermont’s modern day 134th Fighter Squadron, in the China-Burma-India theater. Named “Spirit of Universal,” it was credited with shooting down eight Japanese planes and damaging a further three over Burma.
JTF Coyote begins pediatric COVID-19 clinics as adult booster vaccination numbers increase
The Vermont National Guard now supports the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic with vaccinations for youth in the 5 to 11 age group and booster clinics for the general adult population.
According to Maj. Daniel Dykeman, commander of Joint Task Force Coyote, the first pediatric vaccination clinic was held at the Vermont Guard Armory in Winooski on Nov. 16.
158th FW welcomes new vice commander
Col. David Shevchik, commander of the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, is saluted by Col. Daniel Finnegan as he assumes the role of vice commander during a ceremony where the wing welcomed the new vice commander at South Burlington Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vermont, Nov. 7, 2021. Col. Adam Rice, who is moving onto a new position at Vermont's Joint Force Headquarters, relinquished the position to Finnegan, the maintenance group commander. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ryan Campbell)
572nd Soldiers recognize Rutlanders' contributions
As the nation marks Veterans Day, the 572nd Brigade Engineer Battalion of the Vermont Army National Guard would like to pay special respects to the Rutlanders who answered the call of duty in what came to be called “the war to end all wars.”
More than 100,000 Americans died in World War I, including 642 Vermonters who had been summoned to defend freedom and democracy, this time on the world stage. More than 14,000 Vermonters served in the First World War. Vermonters and Rutlanders, situated along key rail lines, served as a critical junction for the flow of logistical supplies, while those at home promoted war bond drives, collected supplies, and helped instill a patriotic zeal to drive the war effort.
Vermont Guard reflects on Marine Corps birthday
Each year on Nov. 10 the United States Marine Corps celebrates the day in 1775 when the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution establishing two battalions of Marines as a landing force for the recently formed Continental Navy. This year marks 246 years of Marine Corps service to the nation.
The Vermont National Guard has a special relationship with the Marine Corps, so unique that some Vermont Guard personnel are authorized to display the insignia of the 2nd Marine Division on their uniforms, signifying the 2nd MARDIV as a unit they previously served with.
