Those who serve military families to attend Guard volunteer conference

By Bill Phelan
Ngmo.pao@US.ARMY.MIL

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. - As the mother of two young boys, Janet Shepard, of Fort Leonard Wood, finds that having a lot of energy is pretty much a necessity. Fortunately for Soldiers of the Missouri National Guard, Shepard has some energy to spare as a lead volunteer for the Guard's Family Readiness Group, a support organization for military families.

"I serve as a resource for military families," Shepard, 34, explained. "I help prepare them for deployment, I get contacts for needed information and I serve as a liaison between the families and the unit commander."

Shepard will be among more than 100 attendees from across the state at the Missouri National Guard State Family Program Volunteer Conference April 15-17 on the campus of Harris-Stowe University in St. Louis. The conference is taking place in conjunction with the inaugural State Youth Symposium at the Ballpark Hilton Hotel. Both events are among the activities recognizing April as the Month of the Military Child, a designation to spotlight the sacrifices and applaud the courage of military children.

"The (Guard) youth program is booming with events and activities and the planning for the symposium is very exciting," said Shepard.

Maj. Gregory Sampson, Missouri National Guard State Family Program director, said the volunteer conference will focus on training and "strengthening strategic partnerships" with the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Missouri Division of Youth and Family Services and other agencies.

Initially drawn to the Family Program four years ago, Shepard describes her volunteer work as "incredibly rewarding" and encourages others to get involved.

"I absolutely love being with my Soldiers," she said. "I like to think I bring my own personal touch to the unit. These men and women are protecting our country and the least I can do is help them in any way I can. I'm glad to be part of an incredible team."

Shepard's husband, Staff Sgt. Michael Shepard, is a 20-year National Guard veteran and serves with the 35th Engineer Brigade, headquartered at Fort Leonard Wood. The Shepards have two sons, Ian, 3, and Sean, 6.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please visit www.moguard.com and our social media sites:

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