Ohio National Guard News

National Guard salutes 178 FW ‘Hometown Heroes’

 

MSgt. Wesley J. Haines, 178th Fighter Wing Communications Flight is congratulated by Roger D. Tackett, Clark County Commissioner after being recognized at the Hometown Heroes Salute Sept. 12, 2009 at the VFW Post 1031, Springfield, Ohio.

MSgt. Wesley J. Haines salutes Col. Mike Roberts, 178th Fighter Wing commander as he receives an award Sept. 12, 2009 at the Hometown Heroes Salute held at the VFW Post 1031, Springfield, Ohio. 

By Senior Airman Amy Adducchio, 178th Fighter Wing public affairs

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Air National Guard honored about 50 Airmen assigned to the 178th Fighter Wing, Ohio Air National Guard, and their Families, at a Hometown Heroes Salute Sept. 12 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1031 in Springfield.

The members among 250 178th members and 70,000 Citizen-Airmen who have deployed for 30 or more consecutive days to support contingency operations since Sept. 11, 2001.

The event was attended by dignitaries including Rep. Steve Austria of Ohio’s 7th District, Rep. Robert Hackett of Ohio’s 10th District, Springfield Mayor Warren Copeland and Col. Mike Roberts, wing commander.

“We’re very proud of the men and women in the 178th. They do an outstanding job,” Austria said. “It’s important that we as a community recognize their sacrifice. Yesterday we remembered the victims of 9/11. Today, the men and women of the 178th are the heroes.”

Several dignitaries spoke to those in attendance, each expressing their thanks to the servicemembers and their Families.

“A grateful Springfield community says ‘Thank you,’” Copeland said.

Roberts called the servicemembers “true patriots,” “true American heroes,” and “great defenders of the constitution.”

The wing Hometown Heroes received an encased letter of appreciation and commemorative coin from Maj. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt, Air National Guard director and Chief Master Sgt. Richard Smith, former command chief for the Air National Guard.

The Hometown Heroes Salute also honored the Families, communities and employers. Spouses received a Hometown Heroes Salute engraved pen and pencil set and their children received a set of personalized dog tags. The Hometown Heroes additionally received a special medallion of appreciation for each to present to a center of influence in their community.

“I would put the Ohio National Guard and the 178th up against any other National Guard (unit) in the nation,” Austria said.

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