Maj. Gen. Harry “A.J.”
Feucht Jr. (left) assistant adjutant general for Air and Brig.
Gen. Matthew L. Kambic, assistant adjutant general for Army,
sport theme-based costumes for the ‘70s night that opened the
Ohio National Guard’s annual Family Readiness Conference. The
conference was held April 4-6 at the Columbus Marriott Northwest
in Dublin, Ohio.
Lt. Col. Robert
Bramlish, the Ohio National Guard state family program director,
and family readiness group volunteers from all over Ohio welcome
attendees to the Ohio National Guard’s annual Family Readiness
Conference. Bramlish, dressed as Luke Skywalker, used a Star
Wars theme to describe the Ohio National Guard Family Readiness
Program. The conference was held April 4-6 at the Columbus
Marriott Northwest in Dublin, Ohio.
Several children enjoy
a special show put on for them by “Improv 4 Kids,” a
professional theater program out of New York City. The show was
a part of the Ohio National Guard’s annual Family Readiness
Conference held April 4-6 at the Columbus Marriott Northwest in
Dublin, Ohio.
Maj. Gen. Gregory L.
Wayt (right), Ohio adjutant general, and Ohio First Lady Frances
Strickland award State Representative Peter S. Ujvagi from
Ohio’s 47th district, the Ohio Distinguished Service Medal for
his work in Congress to support the military. He was awarded the
medal at the Ohio National Guard’s Family Readiness Conference
held April 4-6 at the Columbus Marriott Northwest in Dublin,
Ohio. |
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Story and photos by Spc.
Samuel Beavers, 196 Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
COLUMBUS, Ohio - More than 850 Soldiers, Airmen, family members
and volunteers invaded the Columbus Marriott Northwest hotel
April 4-6 for the annual Ohio National Guard Family Readiness
Conference.
“This is our annual battle rhythm check,” said Lt. Col. Robert
Bramlish, state family program director.
Attendees participated in several classes on topics including
identity fraud and internet safety, presented by the Columbus
Police Department, resilient military children and how to run a
more inclusive family readiness program.
The conference offers an opportunity to ensure all family
programs are going in the same direction and to make family
readiness groups aware of growing resources and how to take
advantage of them, Bramlish said.
The weekend conference began Friday evening with a 70s theme
night, designed to be a fun way for family members and
volunteers to connect with Ohio National Guard leaders. Both
volunteers and military members let out their “inner 70s,”
donning tie-dye shirts, bell-bottom pants and lots of hair. Col.
John Harris sported an afro, while Bramlish donned a grey wig,
appearing first as famous Ohio State Football coach Woody Hayes
and then later as Star Wars hero Luke Skywalker.
“If we do it right Friday night, they come ready to work on
Saturday,” Bramlish said.
Brig. Gen. Matthew L. Kambic and Maj. Gen. Harry W. Feucht Jr.,
assistant adjutants general for Army and Air respectively, made
quite a pair. Feucht dressed as a disco king while Kambic
closely resembled John Travolta circa Saturday Night Fever. Maj.
Gen. Gregory L. Wayt, Ohio adjutant general, also joined in the
fun, sporting a wig, plaid pants and a 1970s letterman jacket.
Of the 850 conference attendees, 175 were military youth, and
while their elders enjoyed 70s night, the kids were entertained
by Improv 4 Kids, a professional theater troupe out of New York.
Improv 4 Kids is designed exclusively for kids and one of its
founders and main actors, Walt Frasier, has appeared in numerous
television programs including multiple appearances on the Late
Show with David Letterman. Frasier also hosted a “Family Feud”
style game for the adults later on Friday evening.
On Friday and throughout the three-day event, FRG volunteers
received recognition for their work.
“The volunteers are the heart of the program,” Bramlish said.
“The program wouldn’t be as meaningful or be where it is today
without the volunteers.”
One volunteer, Jen Roose, FRG leader for Joint Force
Headquarters, knows the importance of FRGs and fellowship. When
her husband, Staff Sgt. Tim Roose of Joint Force Headquarters,
deployed, she said she didn’t know any of her husband’s unit
members or their spouses.
She went to a FRG meeting where she met a good friend whom her
children now refer to as “aunt.”
“It is very important to meet other people in the same
situation,” Roose said. “Nobody knows what you are going through
except other military wives or military families.”
Bramlish attributes the success of FRGs and the conference to
the people involved.
“When you have a program that’s all about people, you need to
have the right team,” Bramlish said. “I feel like we have the
right team.”
Despite the success of Ohio’s family readiness program, the team
continues to introduce initiatives to improve family readiness.
Those initiatives include Hero Camps, designed to offer a fun
environment in which to build resilient military kids, the
family mobilization program, designed to include Guard families
in the mobilization process from the earliest possible moment,
and a reunion and reintegration program for returning National
Guardmembers.
Bramlish said commanders and volunteers left with excitement and
energy about the programs, and attendees left assured of the
Ohio National Guard’s commitment to Military Families.
“Having a first-class conference demonstrates our commitment,”
Bramlish said.
For more information on family readiness programs or to learn
how to get involved, contact your local or regional family
assistance center or log on to
www.ong.ohio.gov/frg/FRG_index.html.
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