Governor’s Day 2006
by Maj. Patrick Osmond
CAMP WILLIAMS, Utah — Governor’s Day 2006, held Sept. 10, saw attendance reach a record high as both Service members and their loved ones attended this annual event. An estimated 10,000 people saw the commander in chief of the Utah National Guard, Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., preside over the event and personally review his troops.
The 23rd Army Band, led by Chief Warrant Officer Mike Cottam, provided patriotic music and set the tone for an inspirational tribute to Guard members, families and the Nation.
At an awards ceremony at Camp Williams Parade Field, the following individuals were recognized for their accomplishments during this past year:
- SrA Mark Craig, 299th Range Control Squadron - Air National Guard Airman of the Year
- TSgt. Gregory Taylor, 130th Engineering Installation Squadron - Air National Guard Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
- Master Sgt. Robert Wright, 299th Range Control Squadron - Air National Guard Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
- Sgt.James Carlson, 1-145th Field Artillery, Army National Guard Soldier of the Year
- Sgt. 1st Class Wyatt Davis, 640th Regimental Training Institute - Army National Guard Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
- 1SG Kevin Martinez, 1-145th Field Artillery - Army National Guard First Sergeant of the Year
Other awards included the Meritorious Unit Commendation, presented to the 141st Military Intelligence Battalion, and the Outstanding Air National Guard Unit for the 109th Air Control Squadron.
After the ceremony which included flyovers by a Utah Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker and Utah Army National Guard AH-64 Apache Helicopters and a cannon salute by the 1-145th Field Artillery, Huntsman gave some brief remarks and praised Airmen, Soldiers and families of the Utah National Guard.
“This tradition is a very important one. It not only honors those in uniform, but it honors the families as well. We have thousands in this state, and we can’t forget that for every person who deploys overseas there is a loved one left behind. Those who are manning the home front are the unsung heroes of today’s modern conflict.”
Once official events concluded, attendees were treated to a variety of activities to include obstacle courses, climbing wall, rappel tower, equipment displays, zip line, BB-gun range and food court.