OZARK, Mo. – Master Sgt. Shelva Combs and Sgt. 1st Class Elva Combs – twin brothers born seven minutes apart – end nearly eight decades of combined service with the Missouri Army National Guard this year, capping a commitment to the military that began in high school in Shelbyville.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – With the passing of the noncommissioned officers’ sword, Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Lederle stepped down as the command sergeant major for 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, headquartered in Kansas City, bringing his 27 year military career to a close.

Amid tears of happiness, colorful banners and patriotic tunes from the Missouri Guard’s 135th Army Band, approximately 125 Citizen-Soldiers from the 935th Aviation Support Battalion were welcomed home by friends and family at a ceremony in Springfield on May 2.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander honored four veterans - two Missouri National Guardsmen and an Army and Navy Veteran with the Silver Star Award during a ceremony Wednesday at the Missouri Capitol.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Master Sgt. Mark Farrell, battalion supply non-commissioned officer for the 229th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, received his promotion April 26 at the Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City.

A Missouri National Guardsman was honored during a retirement ceremony at Ike Skelton Training Site on Saturday after 36 years of service. Master Sgt. Carl Nilges, a supply logistics specialist for the Joint Force Headquarters, received several awards and certificates during his ceremony, which was officiated by Maj. Gen. Steve Danner, the adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Staff Sgt. Jonathan Hanna, of the Missouri Army National Guard, made his way to St. Joseph as one of the state’s newest recruiters for the St. Joseph area.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – In town for their final reunion this weekend, World War II veterans who were held as prisoners of war by the Nazis were among those attending Wednesday’s dedication of the Missouri POW-MIA Museum at Jefferson Barracks.

The Airmen of the 131st Bomb Wing’s finance office live by a simple credo: ‘No Money, No Mission.’ The office’s Airmen form a small but tight-knit group with the critical responsibility of ensuring the Wing’s 1,100 Airmen are paid and their benefits are distributed properly, said Master Sgt. Cheryl Ropp.

Tucked away in Whiteman Air Force Base’s vehicle maintenance building, four Airmen from the Missouri Air National Guard’s 131st Bomb Wing are living up to the idea of total force integration.

Three senior airmen from the 131st Logistics Readiness Squadron have a critical role in ensuring the Airmen of the 131st Bomb Wing are supplied with the uniforms and equipment they need to carry out the Wing’s mission.

Gregory S. Champagne was promoted to brigadier general during a ceremony held at the Ike Skelton Training Site on Saturday.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard, friends and Families congratulated Sgt. Grant Crowley and two fellow new Army National Guard officers Monday morning at the Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard, friends and Families congratulated 2nd Lt. Markland Anderson and two fellow new Army National Guard officers Monday morning at the Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri National Guard, friends and families congratulated 2nd Lt. Caton Jeffries and two other new Army National Guard officers Monday morning at the Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -Michael Winkler, construction and facilities management officer for the Missouri National Guard, received his promotion to the rank of colonel Wednesday at the Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City.

FORT HOOD, Texas - After an early greeting of a sand storm, a long delay complete with an MRE picnic lunch, Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 35th Combat Aviation Brigade embarked on their long awaited journey back to the United States April 21.

ST CHARLES, Mo. - Missouri Viewpoints, a local public affairs program produced by Lindenwood University, is focusing its spotlight on the Missouri National Guard.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - When conducting a military training exercise of any size, one of the very first things to be put in place is the communication infrastructure. That's precisely what members of the Missouri Army National Guard 35th Infantry Division in St. Joseph do.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Six Missouri National Guard members spoke to the American Counseling Association of Missouri on April 11 in Jefferson City to prepare ACAM members who counsel military members facing stress associated with deployment.

About 100 Missouri National Guardsmen from units in St. Louis, Hannibal and Cape Girardeau joined community volunteers to work in support of flood relief operations in affected areas.

CLARKSVILLE, Mo. – About 50 Missouri National Guardsmen from the St. Louis-area joined dozens of volunteers in Clarksville Friday to do battle with rising flood waters of the Mississippi River.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - A group of Missouri National Guardsmen who responded to a serious traffic accident on Kingshighway in February are being recognized for their actions.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Missouri Army National Guard was recently represented at the Ruckus Run in Grain Valley. A team of five Citizen-Soldiers with the 35th Infantry Division in Lexington competed in the four-mile course, with 25 obstacles, for a little fun and camaraderie, as well as a new way to boost their physical fitness regime.

4/11/2013 - WHITEMAN AFB, Mo -- Chaplain Lt. Col. Michael T. Butler, 131st Bomb Wing, was recently awarded the 2012 Samuel Stone Award, recognizing him as the Chaplain of the Year for the Air National Guard.

Gov. Jay Nixon has mobilized the Missouri National Guard to assist civil authorities in flood relief efforts.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri Army National Guard Lt. Col. Jay Gann was honored for his service with a resolution from the Missouri House of Representatives on Thursday at the Capitol.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri Army National Guard Capt. Nicholas Swoboda received the Army Commendation Medal recently at the Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City for his exceptional service as a company commander on his security forces deployment to Qatar.

MARYVILLE, Mo. - Students and faculty at Northwest Missouri State University are coming together to assist fellow veterans, current service members and military spouses to make an easier transition into the academic community. The Northwest Student Veterans Association provides camaraderie and support to enhance the student veteran experience.

WARRENTON, Mo. - The Warrenton National Guard armory would play a key role in the response to any area-wide disaster that renders Jefferson Barracks in south St. Louis County unusable.

NEOSHO, Mo. – The Missouri Army National Guard 548th Transportation Company out of Trenton closed the final chapter of their recent deployment to Afghanistan. On April 6, nearly one year from returning home, the unit was awarded their first Meritorious Unit Citation for distinguishing itself while conducting tactical convoy operations.

NEOSHO, Mo. - Following five days of intense physical and mental challenges, two Citizen-Soldiers came out on top at the Missouri Army National Guard's Best Warrior contest at Camp Crowder in Neosho.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael McGuire is retiring from the Missouri Guard after 33 years of service.

WEBB CITY, Mo. - Missouri Army National Guard Pvt. 2nd Class Malachi Leece accepted an appointment to West Point in front of family, friends and Missouri Guard supporters at Webb City High School, his signature securing his formal acceptance to the premier U.S. military academy.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri National Guard recruiters are tasked with the job of enlisting and commissioning the best talent to improve the readiness of the Army and Air National Guard.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - When people think of a Guardsman saving someone's life, typically they visualize bullets flying and Soldiers in uniform ducking behind their armored Humvee. The Soldier pulls or carries his comrade to safety.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. - Seven Soldiers recently spent a week learning alternative ways to be more effective military instructors at the Missouri National Guard's 140th Regiment Missouri Regional Training Institute's Small Group Instructor Training Course on post.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. − Fifth and sixth-grade students from Lebanon's Joel E. Barber Elementary School became archeologists for the day at the Missouri National Guard's 2013 Earth Day festivities Friday at the Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Maj. Gen. Jorge Marion Vega, the Argentina defense and military attaché, visited the Missouri National Guard headquarters in Jefferson City to purchase seven Humvees for the Argentine military from the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Service.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - More than 25 married Missouri National Guard couples took part in the Army's Strong Bonds marriage retreat held at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Mo.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri National Guard is releasing a historical collection of information on the Guard's state emergency duty response missions.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A local Missouri National Guardsman and member of a prominent St. Louis-area family has again been recognized for his bravery while serving in Afghanistan last year.

4/3/2013 - WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo -- Since the B-2 "Spirit of Florida" first arrived at Whiteman Air Force Base in July 1996, its stealthiness and massive firepower have been used in missions around the world.

BALLWIN, Mo. - On the advice of his fellow soldiers in the Missouri Army National Guard, Staff Sgt. Robert G. Morley filled out an application for the U.S. Department of Defense Foreign Exchange Program without much expectation.

MARYVILLE, Mo. - Tim Akins, of Albany, was recently promoted to the rank of master sergeant in the Missouri Army National Guard and now serves as the full-time operations sergeant with Headquarters, Headquarters Battalion, 1-129th Field Artillery in Maryville.

MARYVILLE, Mo. - He's proud to call himself a Christian Soldier. Now after 27 years in the Missouri Army National Guard, 1st Sgt. Rodney McKinney has laced up his combat boots for the last time on March 27.

WARRENSBURG, Mo. - The Missouri National Guard, friends, Families and coworkers wished the members of the 1-135th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion good luck on their yearlong deployment with a departure ceremony March 24.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri National Guard was recently recognized with a plaque by their Washington D.C. counterparts for supporting operations on Jan. 21 at the 2013 Presidential Inauguration Parade.

AMORET, Mo. - Nearly one third of the Miami High School senior class is now serving in the Missouri Army National Guard. Although it works out to be only two students out of the class of seven, it still speaks volumes to the commitment and personal courage of these students.

FESTUS, Mo. - Chelsey L. Rubarsky takes a somewhat unique view on her recent decision to enlist in the Missouri Army National Guard.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. - Although he's not retiring, one Missouri National Guardsman is leaving the 35th Engineer Brigade community he's served for more than 20 years.

SEOUL, Republic of Korea - Gov. Jay Nixon today honored the Missourians who fought and died during the Korean War by laying a wreath at the Missouri section of the Hall of Heroes at the Korean War Memorial in Seoul.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard’s biathlon team recently placed 5th in the National Guard Bureau’s Biathlon Championships held between Feb. 22 and March 1 at Camp Ripley, Minn.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – Members of the Missouri National Guard’s command staff checked on Soldiers in the post’s Warrior Transition Unit recently during a Missouri National Guard Education Benefits Day at the Soldier and Family Assistance Center.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard welcomed a new officer and company commander, while another Missouri Guardsman will get the chance to serve where he lives after a recent change of command ceremony.

CLAYTON, Mo. – In preparation for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan, soldiers of the Macon-based 1438th Engineer Company of the Missouri Army National Guard took part in a Yellow Ribbon program event over the weekend at the Clayton Sheridan Hotel.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – All of their lives, Taylor and Tyler Adair, twin brothers, have made a conscious effort to be different. All of that is beginning to change.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – More than 25 Missouri legislators visited the Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City Monday to gain a better understanding of the Missouri National Guard.

DEXTER, Mo. – When he was 19 years old, Sgt. 1st Class Doyle Wicker wanted to be a part of history, be an active force in the ever-changing world around him and beyond.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Missouri National Guardsman with Jefferson City roots recently retired after more than 24 years of service.

DEXTER, Mo. – Leaders of Southeast Missouri Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves recently hosted Stoddard County and Dexter community and business leaders in an effort to build relationships and communication for hiring Guardsmen and Reservists in the local area.

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – Guardsmen primarily from Missouri and Kansas kicked-off Exercise Key Resolve March 14 which is an annual multi-national training exercise with the Republic of Korea Army.

FESTUS, Mo. - Justin Collie left the U.S. Navy in 2005 to pursue a master's degree, but continued to feel the tug of devotion to military service.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Army National Guardsman Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Tune, of Loose Creek, was recently presented a National Guard Bureau coin in recognition of his work to receive a commendable rating during a recent command logistics review team inspection.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The first Missouri National Guard female Soldier to earn the Bronze Star Medal is calling it a career after 24 years of service.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri Army National Guardsman Sgt. 1st Class Scott Beal, of Smithville, was recently presented a National Guard Bureau coin in recognition of his work to receive a commendable rating during a recent command logistics review team inspection. Master Sgt. Ross Strom from the inspection team awarded Beal with the accolade on Feb. 26 while at the Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City.

KENNETT, Mo. - Military service is a tradition in Sgt. 1st Class James Rudd's Family.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Missouri National Guard recently turned the tables on officials at Monsanto who were saluting the efforts of the Guard's last Agribusiness Development Team in Afghanistan.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - For Spc. David Vaughn and his wife, Tricia, the support they receive is more than just helpful, it's life saving.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri National Guard is proud to announce the release if its 2012 annual report.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Jason Kander, Missouri's Secretary of State and former Missouri National Guardsman, pledged to support military members of the National Guard and Reserve by signing a Department of Defense Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Statement of Support recently.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – For the Family of a new Missouri National Guard recruit, the transition from civilian to Citizen-Soldier can be gratifying and difficult.

ANDERSON, Mo. - Following a weekend of heavy weapons training, Company D, 1st of the 138th Infantry Regiment, welcomed a new commander at the Missouri National Guard armory in Anderson. Capt. Gary Fleck took command of the detachment from outgoing commander Capt. Thomas Williams.

BOONVILLE, Mo. - While focusing on training to improve Soldier readiness and combat capabilities, Missouri Guardsmen with the 1-138th Infantry Regiment recently battled the snow and below-freezing conditions to "invade" Boonville with the cooperation of area civilian agencies.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Missouri Army National Guard's 1141st Engineer Company (Sapper) located in Kansas City was recently fielded nine new M1157 10-ton dump trucks which would ideally be used in support of a stateside mission.

WAPPAPELLO, Mo. - As a frigid wind blew light snow into his face, Pfc. Isaac Porch, of Affton, loaded a belt of ammunition into his M-240 machine gun and surveyed the surrounding forest with an air of anticipation. At his side on the balcony was his gun team partner, Spc. Simeon Boda, of Florissant.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Pvt. Coty Wills, of Jackson, recently completed his military training to become a motor transport operator for Missouri National Guard's 35th Infantry Division at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Pvt. Gabrielle Jordan, of Caruthersville, recently completed her military training to become a motor transport operator for Missouri National Guard's Detachment 1, 1221st Transportation Company in Portageville.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Capt. Cody Waters, of Fulton, has been appointed the new commander for the 1140th Forward Support Company in Cape Girardeau.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A service member of 25 years, Command Sgt. Maj. Will Pierce achieved his 'greatest honor' recently when Missouri's adjutant general appointed him as the state command sergeant major of the Missouri National Guard.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri National Guard honored Command Sgt. Maj. James Schulte during a retirement ceremony on Saturday at the Ike Skelton Training Site.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - After serving more than three years as the Missouri Army National Guard's special troops battalion, the 135th Rear Operations Center cased its guidon during a ceremony at the Ike Skelton Training Site on March 2 and transferred its authority to the 229th Multifunctional Medical Battalion.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Pvt. Todd Duckett, of Farmington, recently completed his military training to become an imagery analyst for Missouri National Guard's 35th Infantry Division at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Amid much pomp and ceremony area airborne veterans unveiled a permanent marker to the first parachute jump from an airplane Friday at historic Jefferson Barracks, the 101st anniversary of the event.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – One weekend a month he’s a Citizen-Soldier in Missouri, the rest of the time he’s a modern day cowboy patrolling our nation’s borders in Texas. Meet Staff Sgt. Jefferson Bailey, of Sierra Blanca, Texas, who serves as a U.S. Border Patrol agent on horseback.

SIKESTON, Mo. - Staff Sgt. Clinton Petty is back where he started 13 years ago as a new recruit.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Pvt. Kiara Hayden, of Caruthersville, recently completed her military training to become food service specialist for Missouri National Guard's Detachment 2, 1221st Transportation Company in Sikeston.

NEOSHO Mo. – Fifteen soldiers from around the state are preparing to show their mettle at the Missouri Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition next month at Camp Crowder.

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard, the University of Missouri, and other community leaders met for a day of tours - both on the ground and in the air.

DUGWAY, UTAH – The Missouri National Guard’s 7th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team recently spent two weeks training at the U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground.

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. - Staff Sgt. James Stafford wants to be more than just the local Guard recruiter; he wants to be a positive influence to the area.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Staff Sgt. Steven Bell was 21 when he knew he had to join the Missouri National Guard.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Missouri Air National Guard Col. Richard L. Chapman, Jr., base commander at historic Jefferson Barracks, will host a dedication ceremony Friday marking the site of the first successful parachute descent from an airplane.

JACKSON, Mo. - Sgt. 1st Class Steve Rhodes can't imagine doing anything different than what he's dedicated his life to for the past twenty years.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – As a father, Jay Kurtz, of Wildwood, was slightly amused when his 24-year-old daughter, Amanda, said she needed some discipline in her life. As a veteran of the Air National Guard and part of a military family, he was pleased.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Staff Sgt. Daniel Schaab, of St. Genevieve and the Guard's 880th Haul Team in Perryville, took second place in the Cruiserweight Class of the recent 2013 Missouri National Guard Combatives Tournament at Lincoln University.

BONNE TERRE, Mo. – A local resident, Master Sgt. Leslie T. “Tom” Fambrough, is the 2012 First Sergeant of the Year for the Missouri Air National Guard.

WAPPAPELLO, Mo. – Guardsmen can be called to state emergency duty any time, and Soldiers of the 1137th Military Police Company want to be sure they’re always prepared for that call.

LATHROP, Mo. - As they approach their senior year in high school, students are routinely challenged with making decisions that will take them down their career paths. Which is the best route for them? Should they consider a traditional college, technical school, the military or entering the workforce? There are many choices.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A Missouri National Guardsman, 1st Sgt. James A. Kempker, got an unexpected gift on Saturday; his 22nd wedding anniversary.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Thanks to volunteers at the Kansas City National Guard armory, military service members now have an additional resource available to them when it comes to feeding their Families.

LEXINGTON, Mo. – Tiffany Ray, of Lexington, was recently promoted to the rank of staff sergeant in the Missouri Army National Guard.

NEVADA, Mo. – The Missouri Army National Guard’s Training Center Command greeted a new leader in a formal ceremony at Camp Clark in Nevada when Lt. Col. Jay Gann assumed command from Lt. Col Rick Scism, the latter a Citizen-Soldier well-familiar with the post and area surrounding the historic military installation.

BRIDGETON, Mo. – About two dozen members of the Missouri Air National Guard’s 239th Combat Communications Squadron received an official welcome home from Afghanistan in a ceremony Saturday at Bridgeton City Hall.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Due to a recent validation, the Missouri Army National Guard’s 205th Area Support Medical Company in Kansas City is now able to administer CPR training.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Lance A. Shaffer, executive and administrative officer of the Missouri National Guard's 70th Troop Command, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel during a ceremony Saturday at historic Jefferson Barracks in south St. Louis County.

LAKE OZARK, Mo. - Retired Col. Mitchell Passini, who lives in Rolla, was recently awarded the Silver Order of the De Fleury Medal for his exemplary service as an engineer in the Missouri Army National Guard.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri’s Adjutant General has named a new assistant Adjutant General-Air for the Missouri National Guard at Ike Skelton Training Site on Sunday.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Family members, friends and colleagues honored Brig. Gen. Stephen D. Cotter, a Missouri Air National Guard officer for more than 37 years, during a retirement ceremony Saturday at Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Christopher Knapp, of Freeburg, Ill., was recently promoted to the rank of brigadier general in the Missouri Air National Guard at Ike Skelton Training Site in January.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Soldiers from two Missouri National Guard Military Police companies responded to a serious traffic accident that took place Sunday afternoon in front of the Guard armory on south Kingshighway.

WARRENSBURG, Mo. – A Warrensburg resident and member of the 131st Bomb Wing, Senior Airman Joseph L. Elwell, is the 2012 Airman of the Year for the Missouri Air National Guard.

FESTUS, Mo. – Military service often runs in families and the Cherian Family of Wentzville recently added to its proud tradition of serving the country.

KENNETT, Mo. – Capt. Chase Phillips, of Poplar Bluff, has been appointed the new commander for the Missouri National Guard’s 1137th Military Police Company in Kennett, Doniphan and Jackson.

WAPPAPELLO, Mo. – Guardsmen can be called to state emergency duty any time, and Soldiers of the 1137th Military Police Company want to be sure they’re always prepared for that call.

WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Soldiers with the Missouri National Guard’s 1138th Military Police Company welcomed a new commander while simultaneously honoring the exiting officer who ushered them through multiple, stateside emergency missions during his leadership.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Spc. Dalton Toombs, of Marble Hill, took first place for the third time in the Welterweight Class of the recent 2013 Missouri National Guard Combatives Tournament at Lincoln University.

WAPPAPELLO, Mo. – Brandon Hopper, of Poplar Bluff, was recently promoted to staff sergeant in the Missouri Army National Guard.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Twenty one Missouri National Guardsmen participated in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training at the Missouri Baptist Convention center.

EUREKA, Mo. – A Eureka resident, Master Sgt. Shawn M. Tamborski, has been named the 2012 Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for the Missouri Air National Guard.

WAPPAPELLO, Mo. – Guardsmen can be called to state emergency duty any time, and Soldiers of the 1137th Military Police Company want to be sure they’re always prepared for that call.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 835th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion underwent a change of command ceremony in Jefferson City recently.

WAPPAPELLO, Mo. – Guardsmen can be called to state emergency duty any time, and Soldiers of the 1137th Military Police Company want to be sure they’re always prepared for that call.

LEXINGTON, Mo. – Jennifer Beal, of Smithville, was recently promoted to the rank of sergeant first class in the Missouri Army National Guard.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Missouri National Guard employee is retiring after working in the Missouri Guard’s United States Property and Fiscal Office since July 31, 1961.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard has become the model for agribusiness development teams in Afghanistan. This past year, Missouri sent its sixth and final team overseas.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – That fact that Army Combatives is not a normal part of the Missouri Air National Guard’s training regimen didn’t stop a pair of Airmen from participating in a recent tournament.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri National Guard’s 1-138th Infantry Regiment, headquartered in Kansas City, welcomed a new commander recently at a change of command ceremony at the Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City. Lt. Col. Marty Clay, of St. Louis, stepped in to lead the battalion, taking the reins from Lt. Col. Levon Cumpton, of Jefferson City.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Members of Missouri National Guard’s 1-138th Infantry Regiment said farewell to Lt. Col. Levon Cumpton, of Jefferson City, during a recent change of command ceremony at the Ike Skelton Training Site. After two years with the battalion, Cumpton relinquished his command to Lt. Col. Marty Clay, of St. Louis.

LAKE OZARK, Mo. – Stoney Tyler, who lives in Rolla, was recently named the Missouri National Guard’s 35th Engineer Brigade’s Best Warrior in the Soldier category.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Ronnie Bishop, of Kansas City, was recently promoted to the rank of sergeant and welcomed into the noncommissioned officers corps in the Missouri Army National Guard.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A local soldier, Sgt. Jason M. McVey, 33, of South County, took first place in the Light Heavyweight Class of the recent Missouri National Guard Combatives Tournament at Lincoln University in Jefferson City.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – About 25 Missouri National Guard Soldiers and Airmen closed out a 16-month operation, Operation Cold Case, at the end of 2012.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Florissant Soldier with a passion for martial arts took first place in the Cruiserweight Class of the recent 2013 Missouri National Guard Combatives Tournament at Lincoln University.

FORT LEONARD WOOD Mo. – The Missouri National Guard’s state command sergeant major recently met with Missouri Guardsmen in the Warrior Transition Unit on post at the 35th Engineer Brigade classroom.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Missouri National Guard’s 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade said farewell to Maj. Barbara King, of Jefferson City, as she takes on a new position with the state headquarters in Jefferson City.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Col. William Ward, commander of the 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Kansas City, was recently distinguished with two Meritorious Service Medals, one for state service and the other for federal.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Missouri Army National Guard Sgt. Maj. Timothy Bailie, of Columbia, was recently presented the Army Commendation Medal for his achievement during the planning, coordinating and operational phases of Operation Eastern Accord 12.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Missouri Army National Guard Sgt. Maj. Timothy Bailie, of Columbia, was recently presented the Army Commendation Medal for his achievement during the planning, coordinating and operational phases of Operation Eastern Accord 12.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – After serving 34 years in the military, a Missouri Army National Guardsman was recognized for his time and duty during a retirement ceremony at the Ike Skelton Training Site recently.

JEFFERSON CITY Mo. – Soldiers from the 1-138th Infantry Regiment won five of the seven weight classes Saturday at the third Missouri National Guard Combatives Tournament at Jason Gym on the Lincoln University campus.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Members of the Missouri National Guard’s Company C, 35th Infantry Division in St. Joseph, said farewell to Maj. Justin Bowden, of Odessa, during a change of command ceremony on Jan. 5 at the St. Joseph National Guard Armory. After two years with the company, Bowden relinquished his command to Maj. Shawn King, of Jefferson City.

HANNIBAL, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard’s 2175th Military Police Company has a new commanding officer after a recent change of command ceremony at the Hannibal armory.

JOPLIN, Mo. – Some 20 months after Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon’s initial call up, the Missouri National Guard is winding down operations in Joplin following the devastating tornado that hit the town on May 22, 2011. Currently, one Citizen-Soldier remains as part of the state’s Workforce Investment Board.

GLADSTONE, Mo. – Because of the Army, Staff Sgt. Reda Elkhouddari has seen his fair share of the world and is now bringing his experiences to the Missouri Army National Guard while starting a new chapter in his personal life.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Missouri National Guard’s Company C, 35th Infantry Division in St. Joseph, welcomed a new commander on Jan. 5. Maj. Shawn King, of Jefferson City, stepped in to lead the company, taking the reins from Maj. Justin Bowden, of Odessa.

FESTUS, Mo. – Like many Soldiers before him, Master Sgt. Timothy S. Coleman did not expect to spend 31 years in the military when he enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard shortly after graduating from De Soto High School in 1981.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, the commander-in-chief of the Missouri National Guard, was sworn into office Monday during a ceremony held at the State Capitol.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.—The Missouri National Guard’s 135th Army Band, from Springfield preformed for the public in the inaugural parade and during the inauguration of Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon.

FESTUS, Mo. – For some people, serving in the military conjures up images of heroic action in combat followed by accolades and glory.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. –Missouri Army National Guard field artillerymen honored state tradition during the inauguration ceremony as Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon was sworn in to a second term Monday, Jan. 14, in Jefferson City.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard is in the process of establishing a cyber threat response team that will operate out of historic Jefferson Barracks in south St. Louis County.

KIRKWOOD, Mo. – The Kirkwood High School football team received yet another honor Friday night in the wake of their state championship over Fort Osage last November.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - The Army National Guard's 35th Infantry Division, headquartered at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., is in the process of establishing a joint reserve military intelligence program at Jefferson Barracks.

The year 2012 will forever be remembered in the Missouri National Guard as a year where we made great strides both as Soldiers and Airmen serving around the world, and as leaders at home and abroad.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Halfway through a nearly yearlong deployment to southwest Asia, Missouri National Guard Citizen-Soldiers miss friends, loved-ones and holiday rituals of home. But as a quasi family, they make the best of the situation.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – While many are hustling and bustling through shopping malls and office parties, state of Missouri employee Mike Rainey spends his holiday time helping those less fortunate as part of the Crosslines Toystore extravaganza at the Missouri National Guard armory in Springfield.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Missouri couple has parlayed their love for country into a continuing long tradition of military service.

DIXON, Mo. – A Missouri Army National Guard recruiter recently conducted a one-hour situational awareness class for some Dixon High School students.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Pvt. Carla Williams, of West Plains, recently completed her military training to become a laundry and textile specialist for Missouri National Guard’s 335th Engineer Platoon (Area Clearance) in Rolla.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – A St. Louis soldier, Sgt. 1st Class Joseph M. Schicker, of the Missouri National Guard’s 70th Troop Command, was honored Friday by the St. Louis Board of Aldermen for his bravery while serving in Afghanistan.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A retired Missouri Army National Guardsman is a new small business owner.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – With nearly 30 years of military service, Maj. Willie Smith, recently retired at a ceremony honoring his service and dedication.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – A St. Louis soldier, Sgt. 1st Class Joseph M. Schicker, of the Missouri National Guard’s 70th Troop Command, was honored Friday by the St. Louis Board of Aldermen for his bravery while serving in Afghanistan.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard’s Patriot Center, located at the Ike Skelton Training Site, received a new family and warrior support division noncommissioned officer in charge and state casualty noncommissioned officer.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Pvt. Larry Jackson, of Dexter, recently completed his military training to become a petroleum supply specialist for Missouri National Guard’s 1221st Transportation Company in Dexter, Mo.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Pvt. Dalton Smith, of Sikeston, recently completed his military training to become a truck driver for Missouri National Guard’s 1138th Transportation Company at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis, Mo.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Pfc. Sara Nowothy, of Cape Girardeau, recently completed her military training to become a military policeman for Missouri National Guard’s Detachment 1, 1137th Military Police Company in Jackson, Mo.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Pvt. Blake Story, of East Prairie, recently completed his military training to become a wheeled-vehicle mechanic for Missouri National Guard’s 1137th Military Police Company in Kennett, Mo.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Pvt. 1st Class Rodtrellius Amos recently completed his military training to become an infantryman for Missouri National Guard’s Company C, 1/138th Infantry Battalion in Perryville.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Missouri Army National Guard’s Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 1-138th Infantry Regiment recently had a change of command at the Kansas City armory. Capt. David Hamilton, of Seymour, Tenn., relinquished his command of the unit on Dec. 2, to Capt. Tyson Erdman, of Kansas City, during the ceremony.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard’s only engineer brigade has a new commander.

LAKE OZARK, Mo. – Missouri’s adjutant general invited Soldiers, Airmen and family members from across the state to gather in celebration of the National Guard’s 376th birthday during a formal ball at the lake of the Ozarks recently.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Pvt. Robert Willoughby, of East Prairie, recently completed his military training to become a wheeled-vehicle mechanic for Missouri National Guard’s 1221st Transportation Company in Dexter, Mo.

JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Jay Nixon is encouraging the nomination of deserving Missourians for the Citizen Service Before Self Honors, which recognize and honor ordinary Americans who become extraordinary through their indomitable courage and selflessness. The Governor said there have been many recent instances of Missourians distinguishing themselves in serving others.

FESTUS, Mo. – When considering higher education, college loans and heavy student debt did not sound like an appealing option to Tess P. Kliethermes, of High Ridge, a recent graduate of Northwest High School.

ALBANY, Mo. – It was 1975 and Mike Fletchall was a 17-year-old junior in high school when he made the life-altering decision to join the Missouri Army National Guard. Now after 33 years of service the retired master sergeant has hung up his combat boots.

ALBANY, Mo. – Staff Sgt. Patrick Jennings, of Columbia, is the reigning Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for the Missouri Army National Guard. On Dec. 1 at the Albany armory, he was presented with an Army Commendation Medal for achieving the title, as well as a Meritorious Service Medal for distinguishing himself with the unit in other areas throughout the year.

ALBANY, Mo. – Robyn Akins, wife of Sgt. 1st Class Tim Akins of Battery A, 1-129th Field Artillery Battalion in Albany, was recently presented with the Honorable Order of Molly Pitcher award. Akins received a gold medallion signifying her service to the men of the field artillery on behalf of the U.S. Field Artillery Association and the Air Defense Artillery.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – After serving 20 years in the military, a Missouri Army National Guardsman was recognized for his time and duty during a retirement ceremony at the Ike Skelton Training Site recently.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard held it’s first-ever Army and Air Guard joint retirement ceremony this weekend for three Missouri National Guard officers.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – After 28 years of service in the United States military, Lt. Col. Regina Kilmer was recognized for her time and service during a joint retirement ceremony at the Ike Skelton Training Site.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – After 30 years of service in the United States military, Lt. Col. Nancy Jones was recognized for her time and service during a joint retirement ceremony at the Ike Skelton Training Site.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – After 30 years of service in the Missouri National Guard, Col. Paula Dayringer was recognized for her time and service during a joint retirement ceremony at the Ike Skelton Training Site.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – The 35th Combat Aviation Brigade welcomed special visitors from the Missouri Army National Guard to the Thanksgiving table recently to a bountiful feast here at Camp Buehring.

BRANSON, Mo. – More than 40 Veterans of the Vietnam War were given medals, medallions and certificates of appreciation at a Veterans Recognition Ceremony in Branson in late November.

SEDALIA, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard’s 35th Combat Aviation Brigade’s Family Readiness Group is planning to give Family members a wonderful holiday event, even though their loved ones are deployed to Kuwait.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – While many Missouri National Guardsmen seek higher education, not many Guard units can boast an enlisted Soldier with a doctorate degree.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – After serving more than 27 years in the military, a Missouri Army National Guardsman was recognized for her time and duty during a retirement ceremony at the Ike Skelton Training Site recently.

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Twenty four of the Missouri Army National Guard’s newest citizen-Soldiers from Company F of the Recruit Sustainment Program based in Columbia, participated in a swearing in ceremony recently on Faurot Field at the University of Missouri’s football game against Syracuse.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – During a ceremonial promotion to the rank of chief warrant officer 5, the fifth and highest warrant officer ranking in the Army, the Missouri National Guard named its new command chief warrant officer,

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard offers a variety of free programs, ranging from personal safety to career counseling, which is presented to students across the state. The newest of these programs is Building an Athlete of Character and Teams of Significance.

WINSTON, Mo. – The small village of Winston in northwest Missouri boasts a population of about 250 residents. Two of those residents are among the newest Citizen-Soldiers in the Missouri Army National Guard.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – Deployed Missouri National Guard engineers should receive a little something extra in their stockings this year.

Through the Missouri National Guard’s State Partnership Program with Panama, several civilian and military Panamanians received briefings on, and observed disaster response techniques during Vigilant Guard.

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La -- The combined teamwork of 509th Bomb Wing and the 131st Bomb Wing resulted in Team Whiteman winning the Fairchild Trophy for the Best Bomb Wing as Air Force Global Strike Command officials announced the winners of the third-annual Global Strike Challenge during a score posting event here Nov. 7.

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. – Guardsmen of the 205th Military Police Battalion operated a tactical command post during the Missouri’s Vigilant Guard exercise

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri Army National Guard family members toughed out over 96 hours straight in the cold weather to support their soldiers throughout the Vigilant Guard training exercise at the Columbia armory.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard, Family and friends welcomed home the remaining nine members of the Agribusiness Development Team VI that were a part of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan during a ceremony at Ike Skelton Training Site’s Fallen Warrior Auditorium Nov. 8.

DEXTER, Mo. – Soldiers of the Missouri National Guard’s 1221st Transportation Company recently participated in their annual Truck Rodeo in Dexter.

ST. LOUIS – In the event it would ever need to respond to a call on the Mississippi River, a team from the Missouri National Guard recently spent a day conducting vessel and river boat orientation with the U.S. Coast Guard.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo – The 1438th Engineer Company of Macon conducted a training mission at the Ike Skelton Training Center this week.

First night missions of Vigilant Guard take place

COLUMBIA, Mo. – As Daylight Savings time rolled around early Sunday morning, the 1140th Military Police Company of Mexico, Mo., was hard at work, doing missions far different from what an MP unit usually does.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – About 30 Soldiers from the Missouri National Guard’s 1438th Engineer Multi-Role Bridge Company, of Macon, recently spent two weeks at a course on post learning to put together the Acrow military bridge.

CENTRALIA, Mo. – A local Missouri National Guardsman has joined with the Centralia Fireside Guard newspaper to help recognize outstanding high school students in the area.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A Pennsylvania native is the new administrative officer of the 70th Troop Command, the Missouri National Guard’s largest brigade, headquartered at historic Jefferson Barracks in south St. Louis County.

LEXINGTON, Mo. – Missouri National Guard’s 311th Brigade Support Battalion, headquartered in Lexington, is gearing up for a national-level earthquake exercise known as Vigilant Guard. From Nov. 3-7, more than 275 Citizen-Soldiers from the battalion will train with the scenario that a catastrophic earthquake has hit the New Madrid fault line in southeast Missouri.

LEXINGTON, Mo. – From their haircuts to their boots, to even the nose on their face, Eric and Derek Morgan are pretty much the spitting image of each other. As twin brothers who serve in the Missouri Army National Guard, the similarities between the two don’t just end with their appearance.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – After reaching retirement, some people turn to volunteering to help keep them busy. Kathy Shuler, of Belle, decided to do just that.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. –Timothy Saul Hathcock, of Springfield, has enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard.

CAMDENTON, Mo. – Joseph Richard Johnson, of Camdenton, has enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard.

LEBANON, Mo. – Ethan Dale Gregory, of Lebanon, has enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Rush Benson Loftis of Springfield, has enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard.

CONWAY, Mo. – Dakota Wayne Hileman, of Conway, has enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard.

CAMDENTON, Mo. – Renee Mae Kramer, of Camdenton, has enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard.

MONETT, Mo. – Joshua Lyman, of Monett, has enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard.

CAMDENTON, Mo. – Stephen Joseph Riner, of Camdenton, has enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Seth Kenneth Weathers, of Springfield, has enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard.

GRANBY Mo. – Austin Stephen Ball, of Granby, has enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard.

OZARK, Mo. – Alexander Joseph Cavillo, of Ozark, has enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard.

LEBANON, Mo. – Anthony Clay Carter, of Lebanon, has enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard.

CAMDENTON, Mo. – Blane Scot Curley, of Camdenton, has enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Students of a Level 1 trauma treatment program created by the Missouri Air National Guard got a real test of their medical skills Wednesday during a mass-casualty exercise hosted by Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – With a work-study allowance from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Missouri Guardsmen can earn their degree and help pay for it.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Military service is known for building camaraderie amongst servicemen and women, a fact evident at a reunion of veterans of the Missouri Air National Guard’s 131st Civil Engineer Squadron.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – After serving 35 years in the military, a Missouri Air National Guardsman was recognized for his time and duty during a retirement ceremony at the Ike Skelton Training Site recently.

ARLINGTON, Va. – Gen. Frank Grass, a native of Arnold, Mo. and long time Missouri National Guard Citizen-Soldier, became the 27th chief of the National Guard Bureau in a Pentagon ceremony recently. Grass enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard in October 1969. He attended the Missouri Army National Guard Military Academy Officer Candidate School and was commissioned in the Engineer Corps in 1981. He has served in a variety of command and staff positions as a traditional National Guard Soldier, in the Active Guard and Reserve program, and on active duty.

MACON, Mo. – The Macon-based 1438th Engineer Company of the Missouri Army National Guard has received mobilization orders for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A University of Missouri history student recently completed a historical display at the Ike Skelton Training Site as part of a fall internship at the Museum of Missouri Military History.

FESTUS, Mo. – It sounds cliché, but Pvt. Cara N. Chilton actually enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard to be all she can be.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Governor Jay Nixon launched the Show-Me Heroes program in January 2010 to help Missouri veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserve reconnect with meaningful careers. Show-Me Heroes continues to help veterans and Service members with their job hunt as well as recognizing Missouri employers for their support.

WASHINGTON D.C. – For 91-year-old Doris Amison, the significance of the National World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. can be summed up in one word; inclusive.

HILLSBORO, Mo. – If you’re a fan of HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” or the Fox-TV hit, “House,” you’ve probably heard the music of Master Sgt. Chris R. Carlisle without even knowing it.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Two Missouri Guardsmen received the Presidential Choice Award at the Jefferson City branch of the NAACP 49th annual Freedom Fund Dinner.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard’s 27th Recruiting and Retention Battalion recently held its third annual Future Leader Conference at the Capitol Plaza Hotel.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Historic Jefferson Barracks in south St. Louis County is becoming very popular with British government officials wanting to learn more about the National Guard response to natural and made-man disasters.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – As Election Day approaches, Missouri National Guard leadership are encouraging Guardsmen to become familiar with voting procedures and to vote on November 6.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The 2nd General Studies Battalion, 140th Regiment Missouri Regional Training Institute, of Fort Leonard, recently held a change of command ceremony at the Capitol Plaza Hotel.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard Officer Candidate School recently celebrated the graduation of its 50th class and honored the previous 49 classes with a dining out event at the Capitol Plaza Hotel.

NEOSHO, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard’s 7th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team recently spent three days at Camp Crowder refreshing on basic military skills.

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Several Missouri National Guardsmen and staff participated in the Air Force Epic Mud Run recently at Midway Travel Plaza.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Sixteen Missouri National Guardsmen trained on communication equipment at the Ike Skelton Training Site in preparation for Vigilant Guard, a statewide exercise that is scheduled for early November.

ARUSHA, Tanzania – While conducting a counter violent extremism exercise in Africa, Missouri Guardsmen from the 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade based in Kansas City took time to meet with the mayor of Arusha, Tanzania, bridging the two sister cities.

FESTUS, Mo. – As a child, Peter L. Emerson, 31, of Maryland Heights, had dreamed of being a soldier and wearing the uniform of the U.S. Army.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Missouri Army National Guard’s 1141st Engineer Company (Sapper) out of Kansas City recently had a change in leadership. Capt. Troy D. Sandbothe, of Joplin, relinquished his command Sept. 8, to Capt. Paul E. Goode, of Fayette, during a ceremony at Camp Clark in Nevada.

CANTON, Mo. – Students at Culver Stockton College are gaining a new perspective on the military and life outside of college thanks to a partnership between the school and the Missouri National Guard.

IRONTON, Mo. – Staff Sgt. Norman Inman is known throughout the 1140th Engineer Battalion as a tough, strong and reliable Soldier.

FORT RILEY, Kan. – It was a big weekend for Missouri Guardsmen Sgt. Brian Hinnen, of Chula, as he took control over gun two for Battery B, 1-129th Field Artillery in Chillicothe.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard, Family and friends welcomed home 33 Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen from the Agribusiness Development Team VI Sept. 12, at Ike Skelton Training Site’s courtyard.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Aleks Kisseloff’s dream of becoming an ornithologist recently got a little closer to reality in the wake of a $50,000 donation toward his education and to that of his sister, Serena.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – The camaraderie of military service was in evidence Monday as retirees of the St. Louis Area 5 Chapter of the National Guard Association met at an old haunt for many, historic Jefferson Barracks.

The 35th CAB is supporting the Mizzou Tigers all the way from Camp Buehring, Kuwait as they passed the one-month mark since arriving in the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – A Cook Station native and 1994 graduate of Steeleville High School is the new commanding officer of a St. Louis-based Missouri National Guard infantry unit.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – A Warrensburg soldier and Kansas City native is the new commanding officer of a St. Louis-based Missouri National Guard infantry unit.

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany – A six person team of Missouri Army National Guardsmen with the judge advocate general corps recently returned from a three-week overseas training event in Germany under the 7th U.S. Army Joint Multinational Training Command.

For the 50th time, the Missouri National Guard recognized a dedicated group of Citizen-Soldiers for completing its officer candidate school.

ARUSHA, Tanzania – Spc. Juliette Sondano, a member of the Missouri Army National Guard’s 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, based in Kansas City, Mo., reunites with her sister Vincy, who currently lives in Kenya.

LAWSON, Mo. – The career path of a new Citizen-Soldier in the Missouri Army National Guard interestingly enough began in her 5th grade gym class.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard has recognized Fox Sports Midwest, the television network of the St. Louis Cardinals, with a Center of Influence Award for the network’s outstanding support of Guardsmen deployed overseas.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait - The 35th Combat Aviation Brigade conducted a ceremonial event, awarding the combat patch, while currently deployed to a combat theater Aug. 29, 2012 here at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Leaders of the Missouri National Guard and Southeast Missouri State University recently launched the new Show-Me Gold program, an officer training program to instruct and guide new officer recruits.

LEXINGTON, Mo. – Matthew Walker, of Vienna, recently enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard and will serve as a nodal network system operator with Company C, 35th Infantry Division in St. Joseph.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard’s 35th Engineer Brigade recently had an informal going-away ceremony for a pair of officers and welcomed in another.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve held an award ceremony recently at the Capitol Plaza hotel to recognize employers who provide extraordinary support to employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Full-time Missouri National Guardsmen in select facilities around the state will see a new work schedule at the start of the new fiscal year.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – About 20 personnel from the Missouri National Guard’s 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, based in Kansas City, are headed to Arusha, Tanzania for Operation Eastern Accord.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Missouri Air Guardsman received a Suicide Prevention Award from the Missouri Department of Mental Health for her actions in intervening a suicide attempt.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Missouri employers from the Kansas City and St. Louis areas spent a day experiencing a glimpse of military life thanks to the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard’s Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment of the 175th Military Police Battalion and members of other elements deployed to Qatar were welcomed home by Family, friends and the community of Columbia during a ceremony Saturday afternoon at Columbia College.

HANNIBAL, Mo. – Hundreds of family, friends and well-wishers crowed the steamy Maybee Sports Center at Hannibal LaGrange University on Sunday to welcome home the Missouri National Guard’s 2175th Military Police Company from the unit’s year-long Mideast deployment.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Hundreds of family, friends and well-wishers crowded the Joint Armed Forces Reserve Center at Jefferson Barracks Saturday to welcome home a St. Louis-based National Guard unit from a Middle East deployment.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – After serving more than 27 years in the military, a Missouri Air National Guardsman was recognized for his time and duty during a retirement ceremony at the Ike Skelton Training Site recently.

LOS ALAMOS, N.M. – The survey section from the Missouri National Guard’s 7th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team recently won the technical and overall competitions at the 2012 National HAZMAT Challenge.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – In September, in recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, the U.S. Army is preparing to conduct a two-phase suicide prevention stand down for all Soldiers, Army civilians, and Family members to help reduce the number of suicides within the Army community.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri National Guard recently welcomed home 93 Citizen-Soldiers from a deployment to Egypt at the Ike Skelton Training Site.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard recently added a new officer to its ranks.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard is laying the foundation for its future by implementing and refining a strategic plan.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 35th Engineer Brigade spent part of their annual training recently concentrating on basic convoy operations.

PANAMA CITY, Panama – When the Missouri National Guard works with its partner country Panama as part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program there are Missouri Guardsmen liaison bridging the gap.

PANAMA CITY, Panama - Members of the Missouri National Guard public affairs team brought their skills and expertise to an event in the Republic of Panama hosted by the State Partnership Program last week.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – About 20 Missouri National Guardsmen recently had the chance to display personal courage by overcoming any fear of heights they might have during a rappelling exercise.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Col. David W. Newman, chief of the Missouri National Guard Joint Staff, was promoted to brigadier general in the Air National Guard during a ceremony Sunday at the Guard’s Joint Commander’s Conference at the Union Station Marriott.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – After serving more than 30 years in the military, a Missouri Army National Guardsman was recognized for his time and duty during a retirement ceremony at the Ike Skelton Training Site recently.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard’s joint force chaplain discussed a program designed to help meet needs of Soldiers and Airmen at Praise Assembly.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Staying physically fit is a priority throughout the military ranks. For Guardsmen, staying fit can sometimes be a challenge. Soldiers and Airmen have to balance civilian jobs, Families, school, and military obligations while still making time for regular workouts. One Missouri Guardsman has found a workout routine that works for him and his schedule.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Brig. Gen. Jon “JB” Kelk, the chief of staff of the Missouri Air National Guard, was honored during a farewell ceremony that marked the end of his distinguished service as a Missouri Guardsman.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri National Guardsmen live by the motto of “always ready, always there” to serve the people of this nation.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Ask Bill Yancy about his more than four decades of military service and there is no hesitation in his answer.

FORT MEADE, Md. – The Missouri National Guard is being praised for its performance during a recent national defense cyberspace operations exercise at Fort Meade.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard’s Regional Training Site-Maintenance recently saw 17 individuals graduate from its wheeled vehicle recovery specialist course.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – Senior officers from the Chilean Army recently met with members of the Missouri National Guard for a briefing on homeland response and how to work with nongovernment organizations in times of crisis.

ST. JOSEPH, MO. - The ball fields are set and citizen-Airmen are primed to arrive here as the final two weeks build up to the Air National Guard's largest team sporting event.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Missouri Army National Guard’s 205th Area Support Medical Company recently had a change in leadership at the Kansas City armory. Maj. Douglas Crandall, of St. Louis, relinquished his command of the unit July 7, to Capt. Eric Dier, of Russellville, during their change of command ceremony.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard welcomed home five of its Citizen-Soldiers from Detachment 3, Company I, 185th Theater Aviation Company on Tuesday at the old airport terminal building.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – An Illinois resident, Col. David W. Newman, is the new chief of the joint staff of the Missouri National Guard at Joint Force Headquarters in Jefferson City.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – For U.S. ground troops facing enemy fire, nothing is more welcome than close air support; combat aircraft that can neutralize the enemy threat.

ST. JOSEPH, MO. – At least 50 combat operations experts met at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base here this week for a working group on air mobility tactics to analyze and report on current air and air defense operations across the globe.

WARRENSBURG, Mo. – The Missouri Army National Guard is partnering with the University of Central Missouri in the most comprehensive sponsorship UCM Athletics has ever entered into with one organization.

FORT RUCKER, Ala. – Before the Missouri Army National Guard’s 35th Combat Aviation Brigade deploys to Kuwait this month, they will complete a 10-day final training program coordinated by Division West’s 166th Aviation Brigade at the aviation simulation center here.

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Missouri Agribusiness Teams have helped Afghan farmers in the Nangarhar Province create a sustainable agriculture program for years and this past May a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Finely Shields marked the end of the Missouri National Guard’s Agribusiness Development Team’s mission.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Jason Allabaugh recently became the first Missouri National Guardsman to earn the National Guard Bureau’s Einstein Award, an award that recognizes dedication to excellence in the analytical medical field.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – A Missouri National Guardsman recently received some overdue closure for his service on a 2004 deployment to Iraq.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Though she wears her military uniform with pride, Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Pawli of the Missouri Army National Guard also likes to don a much different uniform representing her alter ego.

TOWN AND COUNTRY, Mo. – While completing a pain medicine fellowship at the University of Iowa in 2004, Dr. James D. Toombs received a phone call from his other employer, the Missouri Army National Guard.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Missouri National Guardsmen from Springfield, Warrenton, St. Clair, De Soto and the St. Louis area took part in Fair St. Louis activities over the course of the three-day festival downtown and under the Gateway Arch.

FARMINGTON, Mo. – Ninty-three Citizen-Soldiers from the 1138th Engineer Company from Farmington and Fredericktown departed for mobilization training at Fort Bliss, Texas.

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan Uniformed Police noncommissioned officers operating the City Gates recently received training from U.S. Soldiers at the City Gates headquarters to improve operations at entry points into the city.

PARKVILLE, Mo. – Second lady Dr. Jill Biden met with Missouri Army National Guardsmen and their Families on Monday, July 9 at Park University to learn more about Partners in Care, a faith-based partnership between the Guard and the Missouri faith community.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – With the new fielding of the Standardized Integrated Command Post System, the Missouri National Guard’s 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade is now better prepared to carry out their stateside mission.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – By providing realistic and challenging training scenarios, the 1-138th Infantry Regiment strives to ready infantrymen for both their stateside and federal missions. With the unit being spread across the state they must take advantage of every opportunity to train together as a whole.

QUIMISTAN, Honduras – When Task Force Tropic came to Honduras, their orders were clear: its Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen were expected to complete four construction projects.

NACO, Honduras – The commander and sergeant major of Task Force Tropic thanked and recognized the accomplishments of their Soldiers in a final formation in Naco, Honduras on June 29.

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras – As U.S. Army South’s Beyond the Horizon 2012 exercise draws closer to the finish line, engineers are putting in a final effort to take on and complete new tasks.

Missouri National Guard Staff Sgt. Robert J. Traxel, 34, of Union died Monday, while performing his annual training duties in support of Beyond the Horizon Guatemala exercise.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Soldiers and Airmen of the Missouri National Guard are again being offered some assistance with their electric bills, courtesy of Ameren Missouri.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – Infantrymen with the Missouri National Guard set out this summer to earn the prestigious Expert Infantry Badge. While conducting their two-week annual training at Fort Leonard Wood, 75 members of the 1-138th Infantry Regiment headquartered in Kansas City battled it out for the esteemed badge, with an elite 12 earning the honor to wear the rifle emblem on their chests.

NACO, Honduras – The Missouri National Guardsmen of the 1438th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge) took on a new project, building a retaining wall at a school outside Naco, Honduras on June 28.

NACO, Honduras – A promotion ceremony was held at final formation for a Jackson resident who is currently serving on his annual training mission to Honduras on June 28.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – A Missouri National Guard officer and veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom has written a book on her painful transition from the war zone back to the Homefront.

COFRADIA, Honduras – A small team of Missouri National Guard Soldiers helped a school in Cofradia, Honduras, by building a stone walkway in its courtyard June 28.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard will again play a major role in the Fair St. Louis events planned over the July 4th holiday.

LA LIMA, Honduras – Soldiers and Seabees joined the people of Oriente and Morales, Honduras for a ribbon-cutting celebration for a clinic and school on June 27.

NACO, Honduras – A ribbon cutting and closing ceremonies were held to mark the impending conclusion of U.S. Army South’s Beyond the Horizon-2012 mission June 26.

JALALABAD, Afghanistan – An unsuccessful April 15 Taliban attack on Missouri National Guardsmen at a forward operating base in Afghanistan has resulted in numerous medals and awards for members of the Guard’s Agribusiness Development Team.

NACO, Honduras – Five Missouri National Guard Soldiers received special recognition from the Honduran army for their contributions to a months-long training exercise and humanitarian mission during a ceremony June 26.

MICHELETTI, Honduras – In the small town of Micheletti, Honduras, children have to walk 35 minutes through searing heat and driving rain to get to school – but soon, thanks to the National Guard, Army Reserve and U.S. Army South, that will just be a story they tell their grandchildren.

QUIMISTAN, Honduras. – Missouri National Guard engineers from four different companies have joined together to finish a months-long project to build a clinic in Quimistan as part of U.S. Army South’s Beyond the Horizon-Honduras exercise.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A Missouri Air National Guard unit headquartered at Lambert-St. Louis Airport has temporarily set up shop at historic Jefferson Barracks in South County as part its annual training requirement.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard’s Partners in Care initiative and Second Harvest Community Food Bank based in St. Joseph, has announced a new partnership in an effort to assist Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen with another layer of support.

FORT HOOD, TEXAS -- One of the toughest challenges for military marriages is the glaring truth that deployments create separation.

FORT HOOD, Texas – Members of the Headquarters Support Company, 35th Infantry Division from Missouri and Kansas cross their state borders and rivalries to join forces during a field support exercise at Fort Hood, Texas, June 3-23 for their annual training.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard continues to prepare for the national-level earthquake exercise known as Vigilant Guard this November. The training scenario, based on a catastrophic earthquake along the New Madrid fault line in southeast Missouri, will test the readiness of the Missouri Guard along with its civilian, military and federal partners.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Guardsmen with Company B, 1st Battalion, 376th Aviation Regiment, conducted a disaster relief training exercise during their two-week annual training.

NACO, Honduras – Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner (MO), the Adjutant General of the Missouri National Guard, along with other leadership from the MOARNG visited Honduras the past couple of days, touring the engineering sites and visiting with the troops who are working here in support of the Beyond the Horizon 2012 mission.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard is hoping to locate more than 900 alumni of the state’s Officer Candidate School in time for the program’s 50th anniversary on Sept. 8, 2012.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – A St. Louis Missouri Army National Guardsman continues to rack up honors while deployed to the Middle East.

WILDWOOD, Mo. – A partnership between the Missouri National Guard and a summer camp for disabled children resulted in plenty of smiles this week at Edmond A. Babler State Park in Wildwood.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – More than 55 representatives from numerous religious organizations took part in a Partners in Care event at the Ike Skelton Training Site recently. Those in attendance had the opportunity to learn about the program and to sign a memorandum of understanding.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – As it faces decommissioning due to manpower reductions within the Air Force, the St. Louis-based 571st Missouri Air National Guard Band is hoping to draw a crowd of band alumni and retirees to one of its final concerts.

One Missouri National Guard Citizen-Soldier has returned to duty and two have been transferred to the University of Kansas Medical Center after being injured during annual training at Fort Leonard Wood on Wednesday afternoon. The Soldiers at KUMC are in stable condition.

Lt. Col. Timothy House, 157th Air Operations Group Strategy Plans Team Chief, received a coin and recognition certificate from Lt. Gen. Stanley T. Kresge, 13th Air Force Commander.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - It’s instilled in Soldiers to put the mission first, refuse to accept defeat, never quit, and never leave behind a fallen comrade - it’s the foundation for the American Soldier’s spirit and total commitment to victory - in peace and war – to always exemplify ethical behavior and Army values. So goes the warrior ethos.

COBAN, Guatemala – A National Guard partnership exercise with another country takes a lot of planning, training and logistics to succeed.

COBAN, Guatemala – For Task Force Arriero, running an exercise as large and diverse as Beyond the Horizon (BTH) Guatemala 2012 is no small or simple task

COBAN, Guatemala – Chaplains in the Army are expected to provide religious services and counseling for Soldiers. Especially during overseas missions, Soldiers often count on chaplains to provide spiritual guidance.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Standing on the immaculate, sunlit field at Busch Stadium Monday afternoon, 1st Sgt. Robert Wendell, of Holts Summit, marveled at his surroundings.

FESTUS, Mo. – Patty Warmbrodt, of Fenton, grimaced as she watched her son, Pvt. Matt Warmbrodt, work his way through an obstacle course Saturday at the Festus National Guard Armory.

QUIMISTAN, Honduras – A Missouri Army National Guardsman is serving as project manager at a medical clinic construction site for Beyond the Horizon 2012 Honduras, a civil-military exercise that is dedicated to working with the Hondurans to provide humanitarian and engineering assistance.

ORIENTE, Honduras – When you are in the U.S. military, you never know where Uncle Sam might send you. For some National Guard and Reserve units, Soldiers have found themselves working on construction sites in Honduras for the Beyond the Horizon 2012 exercise.

NACO, Honduras – A Missouri Army National Guardsman is serving as the personnel officer for Beyond the Horizon 2012 Honduras, a civil-military operation that is dedicated to working together with the Hondurans.

NACO, Honduras - A Missouri National Guardsman participating in Beyond the Horizon 2012 returned home to St. Louis earlier this month for the birth of his first child.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, MO - The 35th Combat Aviation Brigade recently conducted a simulated mission with a five-member team from Joint Terminal Attack Controller during reserve component unit training.

JOPLIN, Mo. - Within hours of the deadly Joplin tornado on May 22, 2011, Gov. Jay Nixon activated the Missouri National Guard and told the people of Joplin they would remain on duty as long as needed.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Missouri National Guard’s Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade said farewell to Capt. Alan Brown, of Wardsville, during a change of command ceremony on May 6 at the Kansas City National Guard Armory. After two years with the company, Brown relinquished his first command to Capt. Travis Neely of Lenexa, Kan.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard’s Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade ushered in new leadership at a change of command ceremony on Sunday, May 6 in Kansas City. Capt. Travis Neely took command of the company from Capt. Alan Brown.

CAMP AL SAYLIYAH, Qatar – A St. Louis Missouri National Guardsman deployed to the Middle East has been named Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for Area Support Group Qatar.

TRENTON, Mo. – Though the mission in Afghanistan for the Missouri Army National Guard’s 548th Transportation Company was completed in April, the unit felt it had some loose ends to tie up now that they are home.

MACON, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard is planning a more than 30,000 square foot maintenance facility for its armory property in Macon.

NEVADA, Mo. – In November, the Missouri National Guard will participate in a large-scale exercise known as Vigilant Guard in response to the possibility of a catastrophic earthquake near the New Madrid fault. Should such a disaster occur, the Guard is working on a response plan, while fostering relationships with its civilian, military and federal partners.

CAMP AS SALIYAH, Qatar – Missouri National Guardsmen from two deployed units are undergoing the very tough Army Warrior Leader’s Course while on a base security mission in the Middle East.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The 835th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion underwent a change of command ceremony in Jefferson City recently.

SEDALIA, Mo. – Missouri National Guard’s 35th Combat Aviation Brigade, headquartered in Sedalia, left Tuesday morning to begin their yearlong deployment journey.

MANCHESTER, Mo. – Nearly 800 people filled the First Evangelical Free Church in Manchester Saturday to welcome home the Missouri National Guard’s 1138th Transportation Company from a 10-month convoy operations mission in Afghanistan.

FORT CHAFFEE, Ark. – Citizen-Soldiers with Missouri National Guard’s 1-129th Field Artillery and 1128th Forward Support Company recently had the opportunity to show their employers what life is like when they step away from their full-time jobs and serve as modern day Minutemen.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard’s Field Maintenance Shop in Cape Girardeau recently earned first place in the Department of the Army’s Award for Maintenance Excellence competition.

NACO CORTES, Honduras – A run down store and an old barn sat on the corner lot in the middle of town - what wasn’t destroyed by a hurricane was recently torn down by the locals to make way for a new clinic.

COBAN, Guatemala -Missouri National Guard Soldiers are currently deployed to Guatemala in support of the Beyond the Horizon 2012 exercise.

FORT BLISS, Texas – Soldiers of the Missouri Army National Guard’s 1138th Transportation Company are back on U.S. soil after arriving at Fort Bliss, Texas last night ending a 10-month convoy operations mission in Afghanistan.

WARRENSBURG, Mo. - KMOS-TV (PBS) will broadcast a half hour special program titled "We are the Guard: Always Ready, Always There" tonight at 8:30 p.m. on KMOS Channel 6.1.

COBAN, Guatemala - A Carthage Soldier has deployed with the Missouri National to support the Beyond the Horizon 2012 exercise in Guatemala.

COBAN, Guatemala - An Oronogo Soldier has deployed with the Missouri National to support the Beyond the Horizon 2012 exercise in Guatemala.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Gus Nelson, of south St. Louis County, was just 11 years old when his uncle, Jim Larkin, Jr., went off to fight the Korean War nearly 62 years ago.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri's fifth Agribusiness Development Team was welcomed home by Gov. Jay Nixon, the Missouri National Guard and a room full of Family and friends at the Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City on Wednesday.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. - The Missouri National Guard's 35th Infantry Division ushered in new leadership at a change of command ceremony on Saturday, April 14, at their division headquarters in Leavenworth, Kan.

LEXINGTON, Mo. - Standing in front of his unit and with his Family, Steven Carter, of Clinton, was promoted to captain with the Missouri Army National Guard on April 1.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Whether they are on the firing line in national marksmanship competitions or doing their day-to-day military mission, Missouri's Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen are setting the standard for National Guardsmen across the country.

DEXTER, Mo. - Capt. Matthew Knoderer, of Cape Girardeau, is the new commander for the 1221st Transportation Company in Dexter, Sikeston and Portageville.

BAGRAM AIRBASE, Afghanistan - A Holts Summit, Mo. Army National Guardsman was awarded the Bronze Star Medal during ceremonies Wednesday at Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. - To prepare for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Soldiers of the 1138th Engineer Sapper Company use Virtual Battlespace 2 to create realistic route clearance scenarios and practice team building.

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. - After a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan, the Agribusiness Development Team V is back on U.S. soil and closer to seeing their loved ones.

NACO CORTEZ, Honduras - The Missouri Army National Guard this week took part in the U.S. Army South and host nation opening ceremonies for Beyond the Horizon 2012. Festivities took place in both Honduras and Guatemala - where Missouri Guardsmen are slated to conduct real-world missions and provide humanitarian services.

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. - Growing up, Spc. Drake Mann, of West Plains, always knew he wanted to join the military.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Lt. Col. Larry D. Crowder, of Jefferson City, was installed as president of the Missouri National Guard Association at the organization's 65th annual conference, which concluded Saturday at the University Plaza Convention Center.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri National Guard Public Affairs office took home honors in three categories in the public affairs awards communication competition and was an honorable mention in another.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. - Staff Sgt. Jericho Ingold, who lives in St. Louis, was recently selected as the Training and Doctrine Command Noncommissioned Officer Instructor of the Year in the National Guard Bureau category. Ingold earned the award while working as an instructor for the Missouri National Guard's 140th Regiment Missouri Regional Training Institute, of Fort Leonard Wood.

ST. CHARLES, Mo. - Being the new kid at school or a rookie safety in the National Football League can be intimidating.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - In an effort to raise the physical fitness bar of new Kansas City area National Guardsmen, local leadership has stepped up and challenged its recruits.

ST. CHARLES, Mo. - If there is a match made in marketing heaven Master Sgt. Bradley Kohler believes it may be the Missouri National Guard's partnership with the Lake St. Louis-based Mixed Martial Arts Sports League.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Vietnam-era veterans were honored with medals, medallions and certificates of appreciation in an early morning ceremony at the Missouri National Guard Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group facility in Springfield.

BAGRAM AIRBASE, Afghanistan - A Festus, Mo. Army National Guardsman was awarded the Army Commendation Medal during ceremonies Wednesday at Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan.

FORT BENNING, Ga. - Running 100 miles in 60 hours and maneuvering some of the most physically and mentally grueling objectives with minimal food and a few hours of sleep -- sound like fun?

CAMP CROWDER, Mo. - After five days of mentally and physically challenging tests, Sgt. Patrick Jennings and Spc. James Heatherly were named the best noncommissioned officer and soldier of the year.

FESTUS, Mo. - After graduating from Valley Park High School in 2004 and earning a degree in exercise science from St. Louis University, Marcella R. MacDermott decided she wanted yet another advantage in life.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - More than 50 Missouri Guard retirees attended the first muster of the State of Missouri Reserve Military Force at the Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City.

FESTUS, Mo. - Missouri National Guard Soldiers of the Festus-based 220th Engineer Company will be among hundreds of Guardsmen performing a humanitarian mission in Honduras over the next several months.

TRENTON, Mo. - After traveling more than 450,000 miles while in Afghanistan, the Missouri Army National Guard's 548th Transportation Company, based in Trenton, travelled its last deployment mission - their journey home.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A group of Missouri residents visited the Missouri National Guard headquarters at Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City as a part of a program to enhance their leadership skills.

BAGRAM AIRBASE, Afghanistan - A Missouri Army National Guardsman was awarded the Bronze Star Medal during ceremonies Wednesday at Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan.

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - With support from the Nangarhar Agribusiness Development Team, the Afghan Ministry of Education celebrated another important milestone in their quest to provide all children in the nation equal access to a quality education.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - British government officials continue to tap the disaster response expertise of the Missouri National Guard.

NEVADA, Mo. - The landscape at the Missouri National Guard's Camp Clark in Nevada has changed with the demolition of more than 60 structures originally built in the 1920s. Once used as barracks, the outdated buildings were most recently used for storage.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. - Shawn Skelton, of Jefferson City, was recently promoted from the rank of chief warrant officer 2 to chief warrant officer 3 in the Missouri Army National Guard.

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Missouri National Guard Agribusiness Development Team VI reports no fatalities or life threatening injuries following an attack on the forward operating base where they are stationed in Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - After 26 years of service in the U.S. Navy and Missouri Army National Guard, a local Guardsman is retiring.

FORT BLISS, Texas - They are back -- almost. After a year-long deployment to Afghanistan, the 548th Transportation Company based in Trenton is now back on U.S. soil. Though not in Missouri yet, these Road Warriors are one step closer.

NEOSHO, Mo. - In a friendly but spirited event, veteran shooters shared tips with less-experienced competitors at the Missouri National Guard's 2012 Adjutant General State Combat Match Rifle/Pistol Championships March 23-25 at Camp Crowder in Neosho.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard is reaching out to his Soldiers and Airmen this month at their drill.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - A regional disaster response force of Missouri National Guardsmen is now certified as mission ready after participating in a large-scale validation exercise involving several explosions in St. Louis.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. – The region’s military Homeland Response Force has received its validation certification thanks in part to the St. Joseph-based 139th Medical Group of the Missouri Air National Guard.

FORT BENNING, Ga. – Hot on the heels of the Missouri National Guard marksmanship team placing second at ‘All Army’ matches at Fort Benning, Ga., in mid March, the Show-Me State Guard combatives team walked away with second place at the fifth annual National Guard Combatives Tournament hosted by the Warrior Training Center at Fort Benning March 18.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A local Missouri National Guard Soldier closes one chapter and begins a new one after spending 26 years with the military.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sidewinder, the rock band element of the St. Louis-based 571st Air National Guard Band made famous by a YouTube video, will perform at the White House next week.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Guard is becoming a Family business for the Hash family.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – Two A-10 Thunderbolt bombers flew 16,000 feet above the Missouri Air National Guard’s Cannon Range before firing their 30 mm guns at ground targets in a planned firing exercise this week.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. – A regional disaster response force is now validated and ready for action thanks in part to the Mexico-based 1140th Military Police Company of the Missouri National Guard.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – Missouri National Guardsmen from the 35th Engineer Brigade recently deployed to Coban, Guatemala, to coordinate a real-world mission that will develop Soldiers’ skills.

CAMP AL SAYLIYAH, Qatar – A De Soto National Guardsman deployed to the Middle East has been named soldier of the quarter for his unit, the 3175th Chemical Company, based at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis County.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Having joined the National Guard, second grade teacher Spc. Zachary Lutjen, of Lincoln, Mo., has now become the student.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A local Missouri National Guardsman helped rescue his neighbor from high waters on Big Tavern Creek near Iberia, last week.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Keith Hon and Breanna New, of SEMO Imprints in Cape Girardeau, were recently presented with a Patriot Award in recognition of their extraordinary support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserves.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Missouri Army National Guard Family was recently presented the Combat Action Badge on behalf of their son at the Ike Skelton Training Site.

RICHMOND, Mo. – They call him ‘Mr. Richmond.’ That’s how students and staff at Richmond High School refer to Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Wells of the Missouri Army National Guard.

FESTUS, Mo. – William M. Vedder, of Ballwin, enlisted in the Missouri National Guard last year with the expectation that the training regimen would not be “lenient.” He was not disappointed.

FORT BENNING, Ga. – The Missouri National Guard’s top marksmen continue to rank nationally for shooting skills, placing second in the nation as a team at the U.S. Army Small Arms Championships at Fort Benning, Ga., for matches taking place March 1-10. Individually, the four-man team placed high as well.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – In an effort to help Afghanistan recover from economic devastation brought on by decades of war, the Missouri National Guard became the first to deploy an Agribusiness Development Team in 2007 with a mission of facilitating agricultural reconstruction and development in the Nangarhar Province.

CAMP ETHAN ALLEN TRAINING SITE, Vt. – A three-man Missouri National Guard biathlon team recently competed at the 2012 Chief of the National Guard Bureau Biathlon Championships beginning in late February. This would be a test of their skiing abilities, endurance and marksmanship skills.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – On Dec. 7, 1941, the attacks on Pearl Harbor immediately affected millions of Americans. It put into motion a chain of events that would set the course of a then 16-year-old boy.

NEOSHO, Mo. – More than 100 Soldiers and Airmen graduated recently from the Missouri National Guard’s first Air Assault School held at Camp Crowder.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Nakeisha Ekpe, of St. Joseph, recently enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard and will serve with the 548th Transportation Company in Trenton.

ST. PETERS, Mo. - Fourteen soldiers and airman that make up the Missouri National Guard Combatives Team are training in St. Peters for the All Guard Combatives Tournament March 18-19 at Fort Benning, Ga.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Friends and Family gathered at Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City to wish their loved ones well as the Missouri National Guard’s Agribusiness Development Team VI departs for more training before arriving in Afghanistan.

FESTUS, Mo. – In some professions, when you do a good job, you get more money. In the military, you get more responsibility.

FLORISSANT, Mo. – By her own admission, serving in the military was not on Stephanie Mundwiller’s radar while attending McClure North High School. But after graduating in 2006 a conversation with her cousin, Master Sgt. Jennifer Kuhl, an Air Guard recruiter, lead Mundwiller to enlist in the Missouri Air National Guard, a decision she now calls one of the best she ever made.

ST JOSEPH, MO. – A 139th Airlift Wing veteran, who achieved the top enlisted title in the Missouri Air National Guard, gave his parting words to a formation comprised of time-honored friendships forged from nearly 41 years of service.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard’s assistant adjutant general was promoted to the rank of brigadier general this week at the Ike Skelton Training Site.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – First lady Michelle Obama visited with nine Missouri National Guardsmen and their Families on March 5 when her plane touched down at the Kansas City International Airport.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Hundreds of people, from elementary school children to aging military veterans, were on hand Thursday at Jefferson Barracks to mark the 100th anniversary of the first parachute descent from an airplane.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - After 42 years of service with the Missouri National Guard, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Dennis Koeberl retired during a ceremony to honor his service and dedication.

BRANSON, Mo. - Missouri National Guard engineers are supporting local law enforcement in southwest Missouri following this week's severe storms.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – After graduating college and earning his teaching certificate, Jesse Meek, of St. Joseph, knew his education was long from being complete and turned to the Missouri National Guard to broaden his career path.

NEOSHO, Mo. – Nearly 200 Missouri Citizen-Soldiers began strenuous training this week at the Missouri National Guard’s first air assault course at Camp Crowder in Neosho, Mo. this week.

Korat, Thailand - Nearly 30 Missouri Guardsmen traveled from St. Louis to Thailand to participate in Pacific Command's largest joint force, multinational exercise, Cobra Gold 2012, held here February 5 through 17.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Jefferson Barracks in south St. Louis County will open its gates to the public Thursday to mark the 100th anniversary of the first parachute descent from an airplane.

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – To the residents of Saidan e’Foulade - a small village within the District of Surkh Rod, Nangarhar Province - drought was an all too common occurrence.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The unique journey of one Missouri Guardsmen begins more than 6,500 miles away in Nigeria.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - Ask Missouri Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Angie Johnson what her life has been like for the past six months, and one word immediately comes to mind: surreal.

WEBB CITY, Mo. – A gymnasium filled with basketball fans, football coaches and players watched as the Webb City football team picked up a National Guard trophy noting the team as one of the 50 best high school line-ups in the nation.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Meet the Family Stone, two of the Missouri National Guard’s newest recruits. Cheyenne and Edwin Stone are not only connected as siblings, but also as Citizen-Soldiers.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Citizen-Soldiers with the Missouri National Guard gained valuable training while partnering with Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield during February’s monthly drill, using state-of-the-art manikins known as “SimMan 3Gs” to sharpen their skills.

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The second annual Missouri National Guard 2012 Combatives Tournament is coming to the St. Charles Family Arena on Feb. 25 with competition slated to begin at 8 a.m.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – It was the first dusting of snow of the season, with southwest and central Missouri streets and highways covered in a thin layer of ice and snow. That morning, Dec. 6, four Missouri National Guard Soldiers headed northeast on Missouri 54 toward Jefferson City.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – After 22 years of service, a Missouri Army National Guardsman was recognized for his time and duty during a retirement ceremony Friday at the Ike Skelton Training Site. Sgt. 1st Class Bill Bolles, a Reed Point, Mont. native and Mexico, Mo. resident, began his military career in July, 1989.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard is expanding its on-line presence by joining new social media sites. Google+ and Pinterest are the newest sites to gain Missouri Guard involvement, and reflect the Missouri National Guard’s commitment to reaching its Soldiers, Airmen and Family members through all available means, said Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard’s state partnership program is working with local Rotaries to install two water purification systems in Panama.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard has selected a new state command chief master sergeant to serve as the senior enlisted Airman for the Missouri Air National Guard.

SALIMA, Malawi – In conjunction with U.S. Army Africa, Missouri Guardsman Sgt. 1st Class Brian Underwood, of Pleasant Hill, traveled in January to Salima, Malawi in southeast Africa to instruct some 20 Soldiers from the Malawi Defense Forces.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – In recognition of African American history month, the Museum of Missouri Military History is hosting the “Learning to Read, a Soldier’s Story” exhibit at the Ike Skelton Training Site this month. The display features six paintings portraying what it was like for African American Soldiers learning to read during the Civil War.

JEFFERSON CITY – On the afternoon of February 7, 1812, residents of southeast Missouri experienced the rocking and shaking of a 7.7 magnitude earthquake. It was the third and largest earthquake in less than two months, and would cause devastation that can still be seen 200 years later.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – One of Missouri’s newest Citizen-Soldiers has been serving in the military since the age of 14 as a Confederate Soldier with the 1st Missouri Cavalry (dismounted). James Shipman, a Civil War reenactor recently promoted to captain, is the youngest officer in his 200-man battalion of relic Soldiers.

SOUTH ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Despite having retired from the Missouri Army National Guard more than 20 years ago, Bill Leeper, of south St. Louis County, is a familiar sight at the Guard’s Joint Armed Forces Reserve Center at Jefferson Barracks.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Many Service members across the country are struggling with finding employment. One Missouri Army National Guard Soldier is dedicated to helping those in need find jobs.

CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar – One of the most difficult things a child can experience is having a parent deployed to a war zone. Spc. Gessee Luos and Spc. Erica Guzman have stepped in to help ease this burden – they are helping Soldiers participate in the United Through Reading program.

PANAMA CITY, Panama. – The Missouri National Guard visited counterparts in Panama to share law enforcement and emergency response experiences.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Though having served in the military for nine years, Sgt. Jerry Simons is one of the newest troops to join the ranks of the Missouri Army National Guard.

FESTUS, Mo. – Attending drill while on leave from Afghanistan might not be on the list of things to do for some soldiers, but that’s exactly what Spc. Kerry A. Franklin of the Missouri Army National Guard recently did.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri’s adjutant general and the president of the University of Central Missouri signed a memorandum of agreement at the Ike Skelton Training Site last week.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Three World War II veterans received the Legion of Honor for valorous actions at the Capitol building in Jefferson City.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – From his office at the Ike Skelton Training Site on the outskirts of town, Sgt. 1st Class Joe Spencer is tracking just how “green” the Missouri National Guard really is.

ALBANY, Mo. - With the most recent enlistment of their youngest son, one northwest Missouri Family serving in the National Guard could all but make up their own squad of artilleryman. One dad and four sons now serve with the 1-129th Field Artillery Battalion making for some interesting war stories.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – You just can’t keep a good retiree down - at least not Mike Lewis, who left the Missouri Army National Guard in 2007, yet continues to serve. Lewis, who was recently hired as a state employee as a property books manager at the Missouri Guard’s Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group facility in Springfield, has spent more than 30 years working with the military, in aviation, especially, and it appears he’s just not quite ready to quit.

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The Jan. 13 Fight-Me Mixed Martial Arts League event at the St. Charles Family Arena attracted more than the usual young, enthusiastic martial arts fans.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard is scheduled to conduct its first Air Assault Course in late February at Camp Crowder, near Neosho.

NEOSHO, Mo. – Thirty-seven years following enlistment, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Tommy Shields has retired from the Missouri Army National Guard.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard has moved up in the ranks, according to a tool used by the National Guard Bureau to rate each state.

CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar – A St. Louis Missouri National Guardsman deployed to the Middle East has been named Soldier of the Quarter for the 175th Military Police Battalion, headquartered in Columbia.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Missouri National Guardsmen who will make up the Region 7 Homeland Response Force are undergoing intensive training to meet a Department of Defense deadline to be fully operational by September.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Five Citizen-Soldiers from Detachment 3, Company I, 185th Theater Aviation Company said goodbye to friends and family at a departure ceremony in Springfield Jan 6.

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard’s 1-135th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion held a roll-out ceremony that officially transitioned the battalion to a AH-64D Apache Longbow unit.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – When a Soldier prepares for a deployment, he must first complete the necessary training. The training consists of physical training, military occupation specialty training, and mental preparation. But many Soldiers aren’t prepared to be injured before they leave their home country.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – Following the active Army component, the Missouri National Guard is pushing its Soldiers to be more all-around physically fit as opposed to simply being able to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – While most people were making plans for New Year’s Eve festivities, the commanding general of the Missouri National Guard was in Afghanistan visiting the troops.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The year 2011 is quickly coming to a close, giving the Missouri National Guard a time to reflect on the many missions accomplished in the past 12 months during a town hall meeting at the Ike Skelton Training Site.

As I reflect on 2011, I am filled with pride at what your Missouri National Guard Soldiers and Airmen accomplished at home and abroad. They faced some of the toughest challenges in our organization’s history, and bested them all.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard cut a red ribbon to note the opening of a Corrosion Control Center on the campus of the Guard’s Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group facility in Springfield.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – More than four decades after being deployed to Vietnam, Larry Payne, of St. Joseph, was recently presented with a Bronze Star for his meritorious service in connection with armed conflict operations during the siege of Khe Sanh in 1968.

RICH HILL, Mo. – An outpouring of love and generosity has been shown to the Family of a deployed Missouri National Guard Soldier after a fire consumed the Family’s house and all of the contents inside. In the early morning hours of Oct. 31, the home of Pfc. Lee Hatt, of Rich Hill, was devastated by fire when the wood stove area in the living room ignited and quickly spread.

Building relationships with and giving back to the community is one of the strongest aspects of any Missouri National Guard Soldier. Lt. Col. Ed Gargas and Maj. Craig Gatzmeyer recently visited with members of the Jackson Optimist Club to share their stories and knowledge of the 1140th Engineer Battalion.

ALBANY, Mo. – Phillip Green, of Cameron, was recently recognized for his 20 years of service with the Missouri National Guard in front of his former unit, Battery A, 1-129th Field Artillery in Albany.

LAKE OZARK, Mo. – Missouri’s adjutant general invited Soldiers, Airmen and Family members from across the state to gather to celebrate the National Guard’s 375th birthday during a formal ball at the Lake of the Ozarks on December 17.

MOLENA, Ga. – Members of the Waynesville High School JROTC Raiders with ties to the Missouri National Guard recently helped their team take second overall and garner individual honors in the mixed division of the 2011 Raider National Championships.

SHINDAND, Afghanistan – Since early spring about 170 Citizen-Soldiers with the Trenton-based 548th Transportation Company have been serving on a year-long mission in western Afghanistan. Most of these Citizen-Soldiers will spend the holidays away from Family and friends halfway around the world.

FESTUS, Mo. – A new training opportunity for Missouri Army National Guard recruits was recently installed at the Festus Armory and used for the first time on Saturday.

New recruits with Delta Company, Missouri National Guard, work in small groups as Sgt. 1st Class Kevin LaChance gives instruction on medical care for injuries ranging from a broken leg to an open chest wound.

Lt. Col. Rodney Ginter, of Columbia, has been appointed the new commander for the 205th Military Police Battalion in Poplar Bluff.

The Southeast Missouri Retired National Guard Association recently hosted a Retiree Appreciation Day for retired Soldiers of the Missouri Guard.

SHINDAND, Afghanistan – Since early spring about 170 Citizen-Soldiers with the Trenton-based 548th Transportation Company have been serving on a year-long mission in western Afghanistan. Most of these Citizen-Soldiers will spend the holidays away from Family and friends halfway around the world.

SHINDAND, Afghanistan – Since early spring about 170 Citizen-Soldiers with the Trenton-based 548th Transportation Company have been serving on a year-long mission in western Afghanistan. Most of these Citizen-Soldiers will spend the holidays away from Family and friends halfway around the world.

SHINDAND, Afghanistan – Since early spring about 170 Citizen-Soldiers with the Trenton-based 548th Transportation Company have been serving on a year-long mission in western Afghanistan. Most of these Citizen-Soldiers will spend the holidays away from Family and friends halfway around the world.

Luiz Goez, operations manager at Blue Chip Midwest LLC., was recently presented with a Patriot Award in recognition of his extraordinary support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserves.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Deployed Missouri National Guardsmen are sending holiday greetings to their loved ones at home.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – A St. Louis native now living in Belleville, Ill. is the Missouri Air National Guard’s Outstanding First Sergeant of the Year for 2011.

Though he no longer wears the Army uniform or serves with the National Guard, Ted Snodgrass still makes a point to visit his former unit while donning a new red uniform.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – A St. Louis infantry unit that traces its lineage to 1832 celebrated that history Saturday night at, appropriately enough, the Soldiers Memorial and Military Museum downtown.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Stephen Danner is hosting the third annual birthday ball Dec. 17, at The Lodge of the Four Seasons in Ozark, Mo. with music from rock ensemble, Sidewinder.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After serving nearly three decades with the Missouri Army National Guard, Master Sgt. Bill Hodson closed a chapter in his military service, only to turn around and begin a new one.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, and Panama’s vice-minister of public security signed a historic agreement at the State Capitol on Friday.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Jefferson City unit joined Guardsmen across the state in honoring its Soldiers during their monthly weekend drill at the Blue Armory in Jefferson City.

SHINDAND AIR BASE, Afghanistan – The Missouri National Guard’s 548th Transportation Company has been busy moving supplies during its current deployment.

The Missouri National Guard is honoring its Soldiers and Airmen in ceremonies across the state as part of a project to capture the Guard's history and honor those who have worn the uniform since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

NANGARHAR, Afghanistan – Decades of drought, conflict and economic strife has contributed to the decimation of critical irrigation infrastructure within Afghanistan. With the support of United States Agribusiness Development Teams, canals across provinces in eastern Afghanistan are being restored to protect the nation’s valuable water resources.

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Participation in the Army Combatives Program came in handy for two Missouri National Guard Soldiers who took part in the Fight-Me Mixed Martial Arts event at the St. Charles Family Arena on Veteran’s Day.

FOREST CITY, Mo. - It has been five months since the Missouri National Guard was activated to respond to flooding along the Missouri River in the northwest portion of the state. The urgency of the flood has subsided, but the battle continues for many.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – When Missouri National Guard Staff Sgt. Ryan Houk takes off from the starting line at the Arizona Ironman contest in Tempe, Ariz., Nov. 20, the event will mark a milestone in the Citizen-Soldier’s physical transformation, as well as commemorate the anniversary of the death of fellow Guardsman Master Sgt. Mark Turner who died on that date two years before.

JOPLIN, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard’s 203rd ‘Houn Dawg’ Retiree Association received a grant in recognition of efforts put forth by Guard Citizen-Soldiers since Joplin’s devastating tornado.

Missouri National Guard engineer units have a long-standing tradition of completing valuable construction projects in Central and South America that continues to this day as part of their training. The projects are not only valuable to the countries they serve, but also in the training received by the Guardsmen.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri National Guard’s Patriot Center hosted their second annual Halloween open house at the Ike Skelton Training Site for local area children. The Patriot Center staff hosted activities for Service member’s children and community daycares – including providing candy for trick or treat and hay rides.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Sgt. Benjamin Pharris stood in the foyer of the Missouri National Guard armory in Springfield and was sworn in by Maj. Brad Leonard as the new enlistee’s mother looked on, following in the footsteps of his father, Sgt. 1st Class Robert Pharris, who was killed in action in Afghanistan January 5 of this year.

Col. Wendul Hagler, the chief of staff of the Missouri National Guard, and Command Sgt. Maj. James Schulte, the state command sergeant major of the Missouri National Guard, went ‘Over the Edge’ for Special Olympics Missouri at the Jefferson State Office Building on Saturday.

Sixteen southwest Missouri Soldiers were welcomed home with open arms following a yearlong deployment to the Middle East. The Missouri National Guardsmen, primarily members of Springfield’s 1107th Aviation Group, deployed as part of the Aviation Depot Maintenance Round-out Unit, or ADMRU.

ST. LOUIS - A pair of Missouri National Guardsmen had the opportunity to meet some of their heroes while working at the 2011 World Series Oct. 20 at Busch Stadium.

Members of the Missouri National Guard’s 7th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team were called Tuesday morning to support first responders at the remnants of a trailer fire in rural Howard County.

The Missouri National Guard’s Retirement Services Office, along with Joplin’s 203rd Houn Dawg Retiree Association and Springfield’s Patriot retiree associations, hosted a Retiree Appreciation Day for retired Soldiers of the Missouri Guard at Camp Crowder Saturday, October 22.

After about four years planning and training, the Missouri National Guard’s 1-135th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion received three new Apache Longbow helicopters.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Missouri Army National Guard recruiter, Sgt. 1st Class Charles Wood, was recently awarded the Recruiting and Retention Command, Sergeant Major Award for Recruiting and Retention Excellence in 2011. This is a state-wide recognition for the St. Joseph-based recruiter.

When someone stumbles upon the greatest thing since sliced bread, it's only natural to want to share the treasure with others. Such is the case for Missouri Army National Guard Recruiter, Sgt. 1st Class Kimberly Komar.

It’s probably a safe bet that this Veterans Day won’t be quickly forgotten by Spc. Miles McDonald, Sgt. Jeremy Koerper and Staff Sgt. Jay Powell, of the Missouri Army National Guard.

CHILLICOTHE, Mo. – The Chillicothe armory recently opened its doors to local National Guard retirees and military veterans for a special breakfast to honor their service during the unit’s October drill weekend.

As the St. Louis Cardinals prepare to play the Texas Rangers in the World Series, a member of the St. Louis-based 571st Air Force Band of the Missouri Air National Guard, is still savoring his opportunity to be a part of the National League Championship Series.

Mr. Edward Farnsworth, president of the Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City, was presented a Patriot Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve in recognition of extraordinary support of his employees who serve in the Missouri National Guard and Reserve.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Christopher Petty, of St. Joseph, recently enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard and will serve with the 1135th Engineer Company (Clearance) in Richmond, one of three newly formed engineer units in the state.

CHILLICOTHE, Mo. – After serving more than two decades with the Missouri Army National Guard, Sgt. Todd Wilson, of Marceline, reported to his final monthly drill with Battery B, 1-129th Field Artillery on Oct. 1 in Chillicothe.

Retired Senior Master Sergeant John A. (Jack) Argent, retiree service officer, Eastern District Representative with the Missouri National Guard, was recently honored as the “Scott AFB Retiree Activities Office 2010 Volunteer of the Year” acknowledged by the United States Air Force Retiree Council’s “Certificate of Appreciation” in recognition of his dedicated service to the United States Air Force.

ALBANY, Mo. – Caleb Newman, of Albany, recently enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard and will serve with the Headquarters, Headquarters Co., 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Kansas City.

Missouri National Guard Soldiers and Airmen across the state are participating in a national level exercise to prepare and coordinate an effective response to earthquakes in the New Madrid Seismic Zone.

After two weeks of sandbagging and security missions, the Missouri National Guard transitioned to a different mission – hauling much-needed water pumps to the St. John’s Bayou in New Madrid.

When the National Guard arrived in Caruthersville, a small town on the bank of the Mississippi River, they quickly learned they would not be fighting the rising waters alone.

Two members of the 7th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team, of Jefferson City, are in southeast Missouri helping keep Missouri National Guard communication flowing throughout the region as part of Operation Show Me Rising Tide.

For the average Guardsmen, their first experience of the Army National Guard after training is generally a drill weekend. However, for Pvt. Lauren Coffey, her experience was far from the norm.

The Missouri National Guard’s 35th Combat Aviation Brigade has been conducting air missions for local communities during state emergency duty in response to historic flooding in southeast Missouri.

While conducting a foot patrol from the Surkh Rod District Agriculture Extension Compound the security force platoon leader noticed a woman hurrying along with an injured infant in her arms.

Two Missouri National Guard Citizen-Soldiers earned the title Citizen-Heroes after being caught on videotape while completing a daring rescue of a 93-year-old woman on the swollen Black River today.

St. Louis is serving as a nerve center for the Guard’s flood response, called Operation Rising Tide, in southeastern parts of the state.

Social media is playing a role in the National Guard's flood response efforts in southeast Missouri. Soldiers of the 70th Troop Command, who are coordinating flood response missions from a tactical operations center at Jefferson Barracks, have been monitoring facebook since Gov. Jay Nixon mobilized the National Guard on Monday.

Citizen-Soldiers come from all over the state to help their neighbors as flood waters threatened southeast Missouri communities.

1st Lt. Matthew Martz, of St. Joseph, took command of Missouri National Guard’s Battery D, 1-129th Field Artillery from Capt. Shannon D. Holaday, of Bolckow, during a change of command ceremony in January at the Independence National Guard Armory.

The Missouri National Guard Child and Youth Program has taken on a new focus: leadership development and community service among teens.

The Missouri National Guard's adjutant general crowned the state's first-ever state Army Guard combatives champions in seven weight brackets Sunday morning during an awards ceremony at Davidson Fitness Center.

Master Sgt. Stephen Bradley is the non-commissioned officer in charge of the agriculture section deployed to Afghanistan supporting the Agri-business Development Team IV.

Funeral Information for Sgt. 1st Class Robert Wayne Pharris.

Missouri Guardsmen present the nation’s colors at Chiefs playoff game.