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July-August 2021
Official Publication of the North Carolina National Guard Association
Register Now
for the
2022 NCNGA Convention
2022 Convention Registration 6 NCNG Museum Spotlight 7 Memories of War: Always Forward 10
TARHEEL GUARDSMAN
Official publication of the North Carolina National Guard Association
JULY/AUG 2021 Volume 55 Number 4
Contents:
NCNGA Insured Members
We Remember 3 — Has Your Child Aged Out
Your Association is Here for You! 4 of SSLI?
NCNG Pension Fund 5
If your child has recently turned
2022 NCNGA Convention Registration Form 6
23 (25 if in college), please contact
NCNG Museum and the Hank Stairs Legacy 7
245th CEF and 578th FEST Host Joint Training 9 Rhonda Mooring at 919-851-3390 ext.1
Memories of War; Always Forward 10 or rhonda@ncnga.org and she will be
2021 Retiree Homecoming Registration 13 glad to go over your policy and make
2021-22 Educational Foundation Scholarship Recipients 14 any necessary changes.
Heros of Old Hickory Documentary Fundraiser Back Cover
Officers Executive Council Executive Council
President
30th ABCT Meeting Dates:
Leo Scott Schnack
Charles Britt July 22, 2021, 3:00 pm
Vice President October 21, 2021, 3:00 pm
James McKee 130 MEB
th
Jan 13, 2022, 12:00 pm
Gregory Gebhardt
March 18, 2022, Convention
Co-Treasurer
60th Troop Command
Jacqualynn (Jackie) Lallo
Chelsea Martinez LaShonda Johnson-Joyner
449th TAB Deadline for submitting
Secretary articles for the Sept/Oct issue of
Bethany Barden
Larry Coleman the Tarheel Guardsman:
113th Sustainment BDE
1 August 2021
Judge Advocate Daina Key
Russell B. Niemyer
JFHQ-NC
Chaplain Linda Horton Address changes or questions?
John C. Mozingo Contact us at
139th Regiment (CA) 919-851-3390
STAFF Mark Almond info@ncnga.org or www.ncnga.org
Air Guard
Executive Director Raveena Boler The Tarheel Guardsman, (ISSN 10618392) is published bi-monthly for the
Army and Air National Guard of North Carolina, by the North Carolina
Larry Coleman National Guard Association, 7410 Chapel Hill Road, Raleigh, NC 27607-5047.
Junior Council Periodicals postage paid at Raleigh, NC 27676-9651. POSTMASTER: Send
address changes to: Tarheel Guardsman, 7410 Chapel Hill Road, Raleigh,
Bradley Thompson NC 27607-5047.
Executive Assistant The Tarheel Guardsman is the official publication of the North Carolina
National Guard Association, a non-profit organization. The publication’s
Erin Jordan Active Associate Class mission is to promote the general welfare of the NCNGA, assist in increasing
John Brady the readiness of the NC Army and Air National Guard of North Carolina and
serve as a vehicle of expression for members of the National Guard.
Insurance Administrator Members receive the publication free with their membership. The annual
At Large subscription rate for non-members of the Association is $15.00. Please include
Rhonda Mooring your old address when requesting change of address.
Brad Colburn Deadline for submitted material to the Tarheel Guardsman is the 5th of the
month, two months preceding the calendar date of issue. Manuscripts and
Darryl Jordan photographs on subjects of general interest are invited. Unless otherwise
NCNGA Educational Marie Selzer
indicated, material may be reprinted provided credit is given to the Tarheel
Guardsman and the author where listed. Articles and photos will not be
Foundation Administrator returned, unless requested. (USPS 533-640)
Advertising is accepted. For details contact the Association headquarters.
Ken Tyndall Advertising, including political ads, published in this publication does not
represent the endorsement or approval of the North Carolina National
Guard Association.
Erin Jordan, Editor
Page 2 – Tarheel Guardsman —July/August 2021
We Remember...
We remember the following members or the family members of the NC National Guard Association or NC
National Guard Soldiers and Airmen that have passed away since our last magazine publication. Listed below are
those members (and non-members), spouses and dependent children that have recently passed away. If we have
missed someone, please contact Rhonda Mooring at rhonda@ncnga.org or 919-851-3390 ext 1.
Jerry F. Freeze Alonza J. Walston Carolyn E. Tillman
Kannapolis, NC Middlesex, NC Donnie E. Cook Spouse of
November 2, 2018 April 1, 2021 China Grove, NC Phillip L. Tillman
April 22, 2021 Burlington, NC
Rita R. Fennell Lamonte Powell May 16, 2021
Spouse of Graham, NC Paul D. Price, Jr.
Thomas M Fennell April 3, 2021 Garden City Beach, SC Allen Massey
Como, NC April 27, 2021 Mooresville, NC
December 22, 2019 Robert W. Blackford May 17, 2021
Apex, NC Barry N. Rumfelt
Lee F. Meador April 5, 2021 Mt. Holly, NC Reese E. Untz
Lemon Springs, NC April 27, 2021 Charlotte, NC
February 13, 2020 Warnie L. Dixon May 20, 2021
Greenville, NC William E. “Gene” Davis
Lucy Hawkins April 6, 2021 Ahoskie, NC Harold D. Hammer
Spouse of May 1, 2021 Taylorsville, NC
Randall Hawkins Sam J. Stamey May 22, 2021
Timberlake, NC Canton, NC John D. Carlise
February 2 , 2021 April 6, 2021 Asheboro, NC Johnny L. Conner
May 2, 2021 Waynesville, NC
Darla Dugger Carter Clyde Davis, Jr. May 26, 2021
Spouse of Macon, NC Janet J. Dillard
John F. Carter III April 7, 2021 Spouse of Gorden A. Harrell
Granite Falls, NC Billy D. Dillard Oriental, NC
February 4, 2021 Tanner E. Kalasz North Wilkesboro, NC May 26, 2021
Greenville, NC May 5, 2021
Emmanuel Wallace, Jr. April 10, 2021 Edgar C. Lewis, Jr.
Roxboro, NC Janis Hough Cocoa, Fl
March 7, 2021 Tammy S. Graham Spouse of May 28, 2021
Ocean Isle Beach, NC Joseph A. Hough
Johnny R. Hayes April 12, 2021 Charlotte, NC James T. Vaughn
Vilas, NC May 5, 2021 Mill Springs, NC
March 12, 2021 Ronald L. Jones May 31, 2021
New Bern, NC Jamie F. Bueno
Brion L. Ormond April 13, 2021 Clayton, NC Kenneth H. Frady
Son of March 10, 2021 Sylva, NC
Garfield Ormond Hilda B. Sasser June 3, 2021
Kinston, NC Spouse of Eldridge L. Starling
March 18, 2021 Preston C. Sasser Fayetteville, NC Norman Walls
Wade, NC May 11, 2021 Creedmoor, NC
Lyman G. Worthington April 4, 2021 June 5, 2021
Raleigh, NC
March 27, 2021 Mansfield F. Aycock Thomas A. Pilon
Henderson, NC Bath, NC
April 16, 2021 June 13, 2021
www.ncnga.org Page 3 – Tarheel Guardsman —July/August 2021
Your Association is Here for You!
W hile we haven’t been able to personally
visit with our members much lately, your
Association’s full-time staff and volunteer network have
taking advantage of SSLI benefit and to improve SSLI
enrollment, your Association is adding a part-time
benefits administrator in July. This new hire will allow
been staying busy on your behalf, and we’re looking Rhonda to focus on updating our current insurance
forward to reconnecting in person soon. Although, database. Once a candidate is selected, we will make a
like you, during this past year your Association faced formal announcement so you can welcome them to the
a number of unique challenges and opportunities, team.
we’re excited about the upcoming year, which will
include the Tarheel Homecoming, the 2022 convention As if planning fun and informative events and
in Wilmington, insurance program updates, and growing our staff isn’t enough, the Association is also
improvements to the Association’s communication with going to improve how we communicate with you. If you
members through social media, our website, and the follow us on Facebook or Instagram, you have likely
Tarheel Guardsman. noticed our improved posts. This is completely due to
our two wonderful interns, Sydney and Kiara. Both
By now most of the annual training season is over, are children of retired North Carolina National Guard
and it will be time to start the new training year. For a members. Erin, who took control of the website during
number of units this often means personnel readiness the past year, is now working on the launch of the
events during drill weekends. This is a great time for an revamped website sometime this fall. And, as always,
Association representative to visit your unit and make we continue to look for meaningful and insightful
sure your Soldiers and Airmen are taking advantage of content for the Tarheel Guardsman. In this edition
the State Sponsored Life Insurance (SSLI) benefit. In you will find a reflective essay on the deployment
addition to our great volunteer network, we will have a experiences of a former member of the North Carolina
new part-time employee reaching out to units to ensure National Guard. If you or someone you know would
they are aware of the SSLI benefit. If you have a need like to contribute articles in the future, please don’t
for any of our staff or volunteers to visit your unit or hesitate to contact any member of our staff.
retiree events, please let us know.
As we look to the future, I’m excited about what’s on
Speaking of retirees, in this edition of Tarheel the horizon for our Association and you, its members.
Guardsman you will find the registration form for this The North Carolina National Guard Association is
year’s Tarheel Homecoming retiree event, to be held successful because of you. If you have any suggestions
on December 10th at the Joint Force Headquarters for improvements or for new programs, please contact a
building. The format will be similar to past events. If member of the staff at any time.
you have something you would like to hear about or
have presented during the event, feel free to send me
an email at Larry@ncnga.org. Also, if you are hosting
a retiree event or meeting you would like shared in the
Tarheel Guardsman, please let us know.
Also included in this edition is the registration form Executive Director of the North Carolina
for the 2022 convention. It will be exciting to get back National Guard Association
together for a weekend that always includes a ton of fun
-- and a little business. The convention will be hosted
on the riverfront in Wilmington on March 18-19th. The
hotel room block is already open, and it is important to
make your reservations now so we can get more rooms
as needed.
Along with putting together some great events in
the upcoming year, we will be expanding our team
this summer. In order to better serve our members
Page 4 – Tarheel Guardsman —July/August 2021
Protecting, Preserving, and Strengthening the
North Carolina National Guard Pension Fund
By North Carolina Total Retirement Plans
T he North Carolina National Guard Pension Fund military friendly state in the nation, and announced it would
(NCNGPF) administered by the Department of State appropriate more than $11 million to the NCNGPF in the
Treasurer (DST) will be augmented with increased state upcoming fiscal year. That would exceed the $6.3 million
appropriations in the coming fiscal year to sustain the vital appropriation necessary to keep pace with what an actuarial
but historically underfunded program. report said would be necessary to meet benefit payments.
“We are honored to protect, preserve and strengthen the In order to qualify for the NCNGPF benefit, participants
retirement plan for our citizen soldiers and airmen who must meet the following requirements:
selflessly defend our state, our country and our Constitution,”
• Be 60 years old.
said State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, CPA. He serves as
chairman of the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement • Served and qualified for at least 20 years’ creditable
System, which oversees the NCNGPF. “Our Army and Air military service, including National Guard, Reserve and
National Guard units are mission-ready operational forces, Active Duty, under the same requirement specified for
and it is our fiscal duty to meet our mission to them so entitlement to retired pay for nonregular service under
they don’t have to worry about their retirement years while Chapter 67, Title 10, United States Code.
fulfilling their critical volunteer service.”
• Have at least 15 years of the aforementioned service
The NCNGPF was enacted in 1973 (effective as of as a member of the N.C. National Guard.
July 1, 1974) to provide a pension benefit for National
• Received an honorable discharge from the N.C.
Guardspersons who meet certain eligibility requirements.
National Guard.
For years the NCNGPF was not receiving sufficient
To initiate your retirement benefit and confirm eligibility,
contributions to keep up with future costs of retirement
contact the N.C. National Guard directly.
benefits. Its funded ratio — the amount of assets available
to pay promised benefits to current and future retirees —
Participants will be able to register their secure ORBIT
had fallen to 67% in 2015. But at the end of 2019, it had
accounts once their retirements are processed. ORBIT is
rebounded to 88.1%.
an online system on which information related to pension
payment, direct deposit and address information can be
As of December 31, 2019, the NCNGPF had approximately
viewed.
$146 million in assets and over 14,000 members.
To learn more about the NCNGPF and the North Carolina
In addition, the General Assembly, like Treasurer
Retirement Systems, visit myNCRetirement.com.
Folwell, is dedicated to making North Carolina the most
www.ncnga.org Page 5 – Tarheel Guardsman —July/August 2021
NC National Guard Association
60th Annual Convention
Hotel Ballast, Wilmington, NC
18-19 March 2022
For Hotel Reservations: Rooms Rates From $115 per night plus taxes. Guests can call directly by dialing (910)-763-5900. Or you
can book online using the link below:
https://www.ncnga.org/events.php NCNGA First
Member Convention
Registrant’s Name _______________________________________________________________
Guest Name ____________________________________________________________________
Additional Guests __________________________________ Email ____________________________________________________
Please select your Affiliation:
____ 30th ABCT ____ 60th Troop Command ____ 130th MEB ____ 449th TAB ____ 113th SUS BDE
____ JFHQ ____ 139th Regiment (CA) ____ Air Guard ____ Associate Class/Retiree ____ Volunteer ___ Other
** No Refunds after 1 March 2022 **
Early Registration _____@ $55 per person = $______________ Are you attending the
(1 July 2021 – 1 November 2021) Membership Meetings?
Registration _____@ $60 per person = $______________ Yes No
(2 November 2021 – 31 December 2021)
LATE Registration _____@ $65 per person = $______________
(1 January 2022 – 4 March 2022) Do you have dietary restrictions?
Business Session only _____@ $0 per person = $______________ Yes No
NO Credit/Debit Card Fees
Total = $______________
If so, what? _____________
Method of Payment: _________Check enclosed (payable to NCNGA)
_________ If paying with credit card, complete full registration and payment online
Interested Not interested
NCNGA Educational Foundation & NCAAAA Golf Tournament March 17th
Educational Foundation Reverse Drawing & Pig Picking March 17th
Complete & return to: NCNGA, 7410 Chapel Hill Rd. Raleigh, NC 27607 or scan to erin@ncnga.org
Questions please call 919-851-3390
Hotel Ballast Wilmington, 301 N Water St.
Wilmington, North Carolina 28401
Page 6 – Tarheel Guardsman —July/August 2021
North Carolina National Guard Museum and
the Hank Stairs Legacy By SGT Gary Spencer, Curator/Historian,
North Carolina National Guard Museum
T he North Carolina National Guard Museum recently
received a tremendous gift from the family of a very
well-known World War II veteran of the 30th Infantry
Division. Nancy Stairs Peer of New Jersey, is the daughter
of Henry Marshall Stairs, Jr., whom many of us knew as
“Hank.” Nancy has slowly been coming to terms with the
passing of her father in 2017, and part of that included letting
go of many of the items Hank had held dear for many years.
Nancy reached out to us and asked if we would be interested.
As curator, and one that knew and loved Hank, I was
like, “Are you nuts? We would love to have anything that
belonged to that man!” A few weeks later, something like ten
giant boxes arrived at the JFHQ mailroom.
You couldn’t really tell by the lack of an accent, but Hank
Stairs was from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, born in 1926.
Shortly thereafter, his family moved to Youngwood, PA.
He said that back then, he spent his days playing baseball,
sandlot football, and “swimming naked in Doc’s swimming Hank Stairs’ fathers World War I Commission
hole.” Hank went to Youngwood High School, and for a
while, worked at a nursery, earning a whopping 25 cents per Hank’s father was a veteran of World War I, having served
hour! Later, he would go to earn a little more, working at the in France with the 28th Division until September, 1918, when
steel mill in McKeesport. Like anyone else that lived back in he was sent to the rear to an officer candidate school. Once
the 1940’s, Hank remembered exactly the moment when he pinned Second Lieutenant, he was assigned as a platoon
heard about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December leader in Company M, 364th Infantry Regiment of the 91st
7th, 1941. He was hanging out with “the gang” at The Pearl Division, a Division which was comprised of nearly all black
Movie Theater (coincidence?), when a friend came running soldiers.
out shouting the news. Hank had no idea where Pearl Harbor
was, much less how that singular event would turn the world Around 1943, a junior in high school, Hank was itching
upside down. to join the military. His father, also named Henry, knew
firsthand what combat was like, and had seen what happens
when soldiers are not physically fit or sufficiently trained.
Henry told Hank, “If you must go, go now to make sure you
get adequate training before you are exposed to whatever you
might face.”
Hank decided he wanted to join the Navy, another buddy
of his wanted the Marines and the other had no preference.
They were each “accepted by the Army.” So in March, 1943,
Hank’s military career began. After the war, Hank joined the
Pennsylvania Army National Guard, and would retire as a
Master Sergeant.
Hank was trained as an infantryman and also as a Radio
Operator. After Basic, he was assigned to Company K, 262nd
Infantry Regiment. Just like soldiers of the 30th Infantry
Division, Hank trained at Camp Blanding in Florida. It wasn’t
too long before Hank was told to pack his gear, “you’re
Hank Stairs’ Eisenhower or ‘Ike’ jacket with shipping out!” Stairs was sent to Europe as a Replacement.
German-made bullion combat infantymen’s badge He was a bit upset about having to leave the kids and men
www.ncnga.org Page 7 – Tarheel Guardsman —July/August 2021
he trained with, but he would attribute his good fortune to Siegfried Line, his time was spent primarily “in the rear with
his Irish ancestry. As fate would have it, on Christmas Eve, the gear,” meaning with the headquarters.
off the French coast, a German U-boat torpedoed the ship Hank served the rest of the war with that unit, and even
carrying the 262nd infantry Regiment. Hundreds were lost at served a brief period of Occupation Duty in Germany. It was
sea. during that time, that he had a German tailor make him a fully
embroidered Combat Infantryman’s Badge for his shirt, and a
bullion one for his service uniform.
Hank was also a pretty good artist, having been self-taught.
Canister of sand from Amongst these recent donations are a self-portrait of himself
Omaha Beach while in Germany, and his painting of the Germans dressed in
PFC Hank Stairs landed on Omaha Beach on D+20. As he
came ashore with others destined to refill the ranks of units
that had taken casualties, Hank’s Irish luck once again came
through. As Hank walked the path across the beach, marked
by white engineer tape, and made his way to the Repo-Depot.
In 1994, when Hank and many others of the 30th Infantry
Division Association went back to France, Hank walked
that same path once again, and using an empty film canister,
scooped up some of that sand for posterity. That canister
of sand is just one of the pieces the NCNG Museum now Allied military currency
has. After a very short stay at the Replacement Depot, an
officer told him he was being assigned to the 117th Infantry US Army uniforms, driving American jeeps trying to infiltrate
Regiment, 30th Infantry Division. Upon reporting to his new US lines across the bridge at Stavelot.
regiment, a crusty old Battalion Sergeant Major asked if any
Other items include a large amount of correspondence,
of the new replacements could type. Hank said he could, and
from people he met overseas, and from the 30th Infantry
was immediately made the battalion clerk for Headquarters,
Division Association. Hank was president of the Association
1st Battalion, 117th Infantry Regiment. Hank would later
at one time, and had hundreds of photos and notes about their
state that with the exception of the Battle of Mortain, and the
events and reunions.
Hank was very astute when it came to World War II, and
clearly read a great deal about the war in Europe, with a focus
on the combat of the 30th. The museum received his library
of books, many with marginal notes in his own hand. There is
also quite a few books on the 30th Infantry Division and units
that comprised it, and many rarely seen, privately published
books, most inscribed by the authors to him. This library of
Hank’s books have already proven to be an incredible asset to
our research library.
One of the neatest items is kind of like what was called
a “short snorter.” In World War II up through the Vietnam
War, soldiers would take paper money and have their
buddies, or famous people they met, sign the bills. This one
is a little different. It’s a $1,1935 Silver Certificate that Hank
carried with him throughout the war. Every new town he
found himself in, he would write the name of it on the bill,
chronicling his WWII odyssey on money.
A few of Hank Stairs’ personal wartime
photos There are many typed and handwritten personal accounts
Page 8 – Tarheel Guardsman —July/August 2021
of his from the war. All well-researched and each personalized
with his own memory of the event. Accounts for things like
when “Axis Sally’ nicknamed the 30th “Roosevelt’s SS,” and
the fuel dump at Stavelot, which was the basis for a part in the
movie The Battle of the Bulge. There’s a transcribed interview
of Hank in which he recounts his entire war experience, and
went back and wrote corrections and added more detail. There is
just so much more, it is a little overwhelming.
The North Carolina National Guard Museum is proud to be
the new caretaker of Hank Stairs’ belongings, and is honored to
be able to keep his legacy and memory alive and well. If you are
interested to learn and see more of Hank’s story, please come
see the new exhibit we will be putting together in the coming
months, located in the atrium of Joint Force Headquarters in
Raleigh, NC.
245th CEF and 578th FEST Host Joint Training
at Regional Training Center By CPT. William Landis, 578th FEST
O n April 9-11, the 578th Forward Engineer Support
Team and the 245th Civil Engineer Flight, two
of the NC National Guards premier units for engineering
dynamic cone penetrometers, and learned more about the
engineering training capabilities at the site. There were also
briefs on drones and their applications to engineering, convoy
planning and design, meet up for a joint training at the 145th operations, RADR, and JCMS.
Regional Training Site in New London, NC. The units have Airmen and soldiers walked away with a clearer
similar missions but are in two different components of the understanding of each units’ mission and capabilities, as well
Guard. The 3-day training was an opportunity to discuss as a resolve to organize further joint training missions.
interoperability and share lessons learned.
The units also took full advantage of the training facilities
and equipment at the 145th Regional Training Site. Airmen
and soldiers familiarized themselves with heavy equipment,
Airmen and soldiers from the 245th Civil Engineer Flight
and 578th Forward Engineer Support Team due to their Major Alonna Marable and Captain Michael Thomas
similar missions trained to together at the 145th Regional of the 578th FEST use a dynamic cone penetrometer to
Training Site. Photographer SSG. Mason Martin. determine the California Bearing Ratio of a road at the
145th Regional Training Site April 11, 2021.
www.ncnga.org Page 9 – Tarheel Guardsman —July/August 2021
Memories of War; Always Forward
By Stan Lake
One of the rare moments where Shawn Patterson was SPC Stan Lake, SSG Silver, SPC Shawn Patterson after a
in the gun turret and I was in the driver seat as we were mission.
stopped on MSR Tampa while the convoy was stopped for
some reason or another. ride with the Iowa National Guard unit we were replacing.
This was so they could show us the routes and what to expect
I enlisted in the North Carolina Army National Guard the
week before September 11, 2001. I distinctly remember
saying to the recruiter that this would be easy money for
in country. The Iowa guys I rode with on that mission
brought a bag of soccer balls for the Iraqi kids. A school in
their hometown donated them for the children in an attempt
college since we hadn’t been to war in over a decade. One to win hearts and minds. As the gunner, I had the best
week later that all changed. The next few years buzzed with vantage to throw the balls to the kids. That moment created a
war or rumors of war in my unit, Alpha Battery 5th-113th significant amount of dissonance for me. I was both scared to
Field Artillery Regiment, as we trained relentlessly for a death of being in a combat zone while simultaneously having
deployment we all knew was on the horizon. In May of 2005, a moment of pure confusing joy. To see the happiness on
I got the call that changed my life. We were mobilizing. I the faces of these children juxtaposed against the war-torn
took my college exams early and traded school books for landscape was emotionally jarring.
combat boots.
The children were mostly barefoot and in colorful,
I took it upon myself during that deployment to be threadbare clothing. They were all smiling as big as can
the resident documentarian. I carried a small digital camera in be. The moment was broken as we rolled away when the
my cargo pocket and a video camera tossed in my rucksack. beautiful Iraqi girl who caught the soccer ball was chased
I shot videos and photos nearly the entire time we were down and beaten mercilessly with sticks and fists by the
overseas. Our unit was converted from a field artillery unit to surrounding boys so they could get the ball from her.
a transportation unit and this gave me ample opportunity to
see vast swaths of Iraq. We visited nearly every corner of the I immediately went from a sacred moment of shared joy
embattled country and that experience has stuck with me all to complete rage. I was powerless to do a thing about it.
these years. Nothing compares. The convoy rolled away with me as the rear convoy gunner.
All I could do was watch the shocking melee as we ambled
I started the deployment with 2nd platoon, the black down the road in hand me down equipment to complete our
sheep, and did most of my training at Camp Atterbury with mission. This scene lingers in my brain all these years later
those guys. As soon as we hit boots on the ground in Kuwait, as if it were yesterday. War is dissonant, war is hell.
my platoon Sergeant said “Lake, don’t get comfortable,
you’re moving to 4th platoon, the gun trucks. You’re going As the operation tempo increased, I became desensitized
to be a gunner.” That was a shock considering all the training to the landscape around me and the children seemed to be
we received suggested that the gunners were the most likely the only things that could occasionally snap me back out of
to sustain casualties during convoys. Great! Although I was it. “We decided at a certain point that we were already dead
frightened, I was also excited about the new mission. I took and it was useless to fight it,” said Jacob Young, a fellow
great pride in being a part of the misfit gun truck crew. We gun truck operator, when asked about a picture I took of him
got some great training at the Udairi Training Range in with a label for a body bag stuck to his chest. We were just
Kuwait and my confidence began to build. kids having to deal with the very real fact that we may not be
On my first mission in Iraq, I did what’s called a right seat as invincible as we previously thought. Every day could be
Page 10 – Tarheel Guardsman —July/August 2021our last and at a point, we all just stopped caring and started
making jokes. Amazingly, we were all able to come home in
one piece, which is a rarity given the mission we had.
War is a funny thing. It can take a group of people who
have absolutely nothing in common and make them brothers.
There is something about shared trauma that can solidify a
bond sometimes deeper than blood. This is a family forged
in the fires of combat. Although you may be from different
socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, races, and et cetera,
you are bonded for life.
To say Shawn Patterson and I were an odd couple at first,
would be an understatement. I would not go so far as to say
we hated each other before we were forced to work together Gun truck platoon picture in the Udairi Training Range,
in that gun truck, but I will say there was a strong dislike, at Kuwait.
least on the surface, at first. Shawn was a Newport smoking, Shawn and I would stick together once our gun truck
“wife-beater” tank top, and basketball shorts wearing hip platoon disbanded due to “safety concerns” (aka lack of
hop aficionado and I was a black T-shirt and jeans, hardcore legitimate armor) midway through our tour. We both
kid. The two couldn’t be further apart or so I thought. Where assimilated into the same squad in 1st platoon since we did
Shawn and I differed on style, ideology, and musical taste, we the bulk of our convoy security missions with that platoon,
bonded over a shared hatred for the Sergeant we were initially it seemed to be a good fit. This forged a friendship that has
stuck with inside that gun truck. spanned almost two decades now and although we don’t
speak often when we do it’s like no time has been lost. Years
We learned very quickly that to survive this deployment, after that deployment, I got to be the best man at his wedding.
we would have to look out for each other. I don’t fully blame All because we shared a cramped Humvee with “armor” we
the warm body we had in the passenger seat of our Humvee. bolted on in a desert far, far away when we were both young
We were all scared and didn’t know what to expect. He just and dumb.
added a level of unearned confidence to his bad decision-
making skills. Shawn and I quickly realized we were on our When we came home from that deployment, I burned
own and as to not be thrown under the bus, or worse killed, my war journals. I only wanted to remember the things I
we had to have each other’s backs. felt I could never forget. I didn’t want to live in that place
anymore. Reflection can be a good and healthy thing for
Thankfully, the third wheel in our gun truck feigned an veterans, but often we can get stuck in those cycles of “the
injury on a mission so he could get pulled out of rotation good ole days.” We must remember to not let the past define
and taken off the road. His replacement was one of the us. To quote the Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard,
best combat leaders one could ever ask for, Staff Sergeant “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be
Silver. This man was as hard as pterodactyl lips and the true lived forwards.” Let’s remember that our best days aren’t
essence of a wartime leader. The mission we went on with yesterday and to take the lessons we learned in combat and
SSG Silver was one of the best we’d had to that point and we move forward. Always forward.
finally felt like we were in capable hands with a true leader.
Stan Lake is a writer, photographer, and filmmaker from
Bethania, North Carolina. He enlisted in the North
Carolina Army National Guard as a 13M MLRS crew
member the week before September 11, 2001. He deployed
to Iraq 2005-2006 with the 5-113th Field Artillery Regiment
in High Point, NC in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom
and got out of the guard in 2007 after his first enlistment.
He filmed a documentary about his time in Iraq and the 10
years that followed called “Hammer Down.” He spends
most of his free time knee deep in swamps chasing snakes
and frogs with camera in hand. He currently works for the
Department of Veterans Affairs as a claims processor on the
Non-Rating Team. He’s been married to his wife Jessica
Spc Shawn Patterson and Spc Stan Lake flexing in the for a little over a decade and they share their house with
Arabian Gulf in Kuwait while trucks were picking up loads a myriad of animals. You can find his documentary and
to carry into Iraq. photography work at www.StanLakeCreates.com
www.ncnga.org Page 11 – Tarheel Guardsman —July/August 2021Page 12 – Tarheel Guardsman —July/August 2021
Always Rea dy! Rea dy Tea m!
FOR: Army and Air National Guard Retirees
DATE: Friday, December 10, 2021
EVENT REGISTRATION: 0900-1000 HRS
LOCATION: Joint Force Headquarters, 1636 Gold Star Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607
INCLUDES: Mission updates, benefits seminar, various information stations, luncheon, and a social time.
REGISTRATION: If paying by card, complete this form online or call the NCNGA office at 919-851-3390.
Otherwise, send the form below and a check for $10.00 per person payable to “NCNGA” on or before 1
December 2021 to:
NCNGA
ATTN: Tarheel Homecoming
7410 Chapel Hill Rd
Raleigh, NC 27607
NOTE: Seating is limited to 350; please make your reservation as soon as possible.
QUESTIONS: Contact NCNGA at 919-851-3390 or info@ncnga.org
2021 NCNG TARHEEL HOMECOMING
Registration Form
Attendee Name: Rank (RET):
Guest Name (s):
Please provide the following:
Mailing address:
E-mail Address:
Home or Cell Phone:
**you can also register online at www.ncnga.org **
www.ncnga.org Page 13 – Tarheel Guardsman —July/August 2021NCNGA Educational Foundation, Inc.
2021-22 Scholarship Recipients
Memorial/Special Scholarships Daughter of 1SG and Mrs. Walter J. Mansfield – HHC 130th
MEB
Len Adams Memorial Scholarship - $1,200
Samuel Lewczyk of N. Wilkesboro - UNC-Charlotte Elmer C. Hardison Memorial Scholarship - $1,200
Son of 1SG David and Kimberly Lewczyk - 875th Engineer Kate Hartsell of China Grove—Undecided
Company/ 505th Eng BN Grandchild of SMsgt (Ret) Ron Nance - 145th Aircraft
Maintenance
Air Guard Memorial Scholarship - $1,200
Ellen Boger of Winston-Salem - UNC-Charlotte Lily Roach of Greensboro - UNC-Chapel Hill
Grandchild of 1SG Joseph Corley - Life Member Grandchild of COL (Ret) David Raney - 130th Signal BN-
30th Support Group
CMSgt George R. Auten Memorial Perpetual
Scholarship - $1,200 Weldon E. Holcomb Memorial Scholarship - $1,200
Sydney R. Cook of Cary – Appalachian State University Michael Jasinski, II of Hope Mills - Appalachian State
Daughter of CW2 Kenneth and Sharon Cook, Jr. –30th University
ABCT Grandchild of (Ret) James O’Quinn - HHS 1st BN-120th INF
Cindy Basler Memorial Scholarship - $1,200 Joshua Rogers of Cary - East Carolina University
Jenna Ray of Creedmoor - UNC-Charlotte Son of LTC Christopher and Heather Rogers - Recruiting and
Grandchild of MSG Raymond Ray (Ret) - 730 Maint - 30th Retention 60th Troop Command
Support - 217 Personnel BN
Dorothy Ledbetter Memorial Scholarship - $1,200
Dare Reese "John" Beam Memorial Scholarship - Carrie Eubanks of Bethune, SC - College of Charleston
$1,200 Daughter of MSGT Troy and Tanya Eubanks - 145th Airlift
Grace M. Copeland of Raleigh - The King’s College Wing
Daughter of BG Jeff and June Copeland - JFHQ
William A. Thomas of Durham - UNC-Charlotte
Jacob Haddock of Trent Woods - N.C. State University Grandchild of William C. Thomas - Life Member
Son of LTC (Ret) Jeffrey and Sandra Haddock - JFHQ
LTC William C. Polk, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Danny E. Bowers Memorial Scholarship - $1,200 $1,200
William Gaskins of Topsail Beach - Undecided Emily Haddock of Trent Woods - N.C. State University
Son of LTC (Ret) Jonathan and Jennifer Gaskins - 690th, Daughter of LTC (Ret) Jeffrey and Sandra Haddock - JFHQ
30th Support Group
Lillianna Sirmon of Boone - Western Carolina University
Roy L. Brantley Memorial Scholarship - $1,200 Grandchild of TSGT (Ret) James Adams - 145 CAM Squad
Ashtyn Barbee of Linwood - Campbell University
Daughter of 1SG Andrew Barbee - D CO 1-130 AVN Michael R. Sherrill Memorial Scholarship $1,200
Gracelyn Anderson of Creedmoor - East Carolina University
Raegan E. Parker of Whiteville - East Carolina University Grandchild of CW4 James Anderson - 30th Infantry-130th
Grandchild of 1SG Bobby Rouse - Life Member AVN
Citizen Soldier Scholarship Fund Honoring BG Lucille Webster Stalls Memorial Teachers
Iwan Clontz - $2,500 Scholarship - $1,200
Autumn McCurray of Shelby - Limestone University Mary N. Jenkins of Gastonia - Western Carolina University
Daughter of SFC Christopher and Wendy McCurry - HHC Daughter of MAJ Barry W. Jenkins, Jr. - 505th EN BN
130th MEB
COL Lon W. & Emma R. Taylor Memorial
Hank G. Yelton of Morganton—Montreat College Scholarship-$1,200
Grandchild of SMSgt (Ret) Glenn D. Lowrance, Jr. - Life Lydia Huckabee of Connelly Springs - UNC-Wilmington
Member Daughter of CW2 Adam Huckabee - HHC 505th ENG BN
CMSgt David A. Earnhardt Memorial Scholarship - Mikayla R. Rose of Beaufort - Barton College
$1,200 Grandchild of MAJ (Ret) Hilton Clayborne - Life Member
Jakub Kueracki of Winterville - James Madison University
Son of SMSgt Lee and Christy Kuberacki - 42nd Civil Ed and Trudy Webber Memorial Scholarship –
Support Team $1,200
Alexandra Abramo of Annapolis, MD - Carson-Newman
Walter R. Freeze Memorial Scholarship - $1,200 University
Erin Godwin of Fayetteville - Lees-McRae College Grandchild of 1SG Leonard Harris - HHC 105TH ENG
Daughter of SFC Rebecca Godwin-Kegley - RTS-M
Lindsey Coleman of Columbia, SC - University of South
Ruth and Ellis Fulbright Memorial Carolina
Scholarship-$1,200 Daughter of LTC (Ret) Larry and Cristian Coleman - JFHQ
Diana Mansfield of Gastonia - Western Carolina University
Page 14 – Tarheel Guardsman —July/August 2021Earl & Elois Willis Scholarship in Honor of Jacob R. Smith of Cary - UNC-Charlotte
daughters, Sandy W. Doncaster and Andrea W. Grandchild of SGM (Ret) Dennis Roach - Life Member
Kidd - $1,200
Lexus Moorefield of Lexington - Undecided Levi M. Sumner of Kenansville - East Carolina University
Daughter of SSG (Ret) Kent and Amy Moorefield - 505th Grandchild of MSG (Ret) Benny Kennedy - Life Member
ENG
Travis E. Wright of Kings Mountain - Gardner-Webb
NCNG SAAF Scholarship- $600 University
Son of SSG (Ret) David and Sherry Wright - 878th ENG CO
Stephen McCormick of Raleigh—Wake Tech
Son of MAJ (Ret) Stephen and Darlette McCormick - JFHQ Charlie I. Yelton of Morganton - UNC-Chapel Hill
Grandchild of SMSgt (Ret) Glenn D. Lowrance, Jr. - Life
NCNG SAAF Scholarship- $1,200 Member
Emily Andrews of Whiteville - UNC-Wilmington Demya Yelverton of Goldsboro - Winston-Salem State
Daughter of SFC William and Melissa Andrews - C CO University
1-252 Daughter of E6 (Ret) Dexter Yelverton - CO C 230th
Medical BN
Joshua Carrigan of Hope Mills - East Carolina University
PFC – 1-130th CAB Other Scholarships
Eleyna K. D’Angelo of Shelby - Appalachian State Academic Excellence/Leadership Award - $1,500
University Josie B. Garner of Waynesville - Western Carolina University
Grandchild of Jessie Leland Meacham - Life Member Daughter of CSM Benjamin and Amy Garner - HHC 130th
MEB
Jaylen Davis-Hart of Arlington, VA - North Carolina A&T
University Ciara McArthur of Willow Springs - University of Arkansas-
Son of SFC Rachael Hart - JFHQ Fayetteville
Daughter of LTC (Ret) John and Carla McArthur - 30th
Ansley Fondow of Oak Ridge - N.C. State University Heavy Brigade
Daughter of CW2 (Ret) Jonathan Fondow - JFHQ
Citizenship Award - $1,500 Sarah Gaskins of Topsail
Elizabeth G. Fondow of Oak Ridge - Western Carolina Beach - UNC-Wilmington
University Daughter of LTC (Ret) Jonathan and Jennifer Gaskins -
Daughter of CW2 (Ret) Jonathan Fondow - JFHQ 690th, 30th Support Group
Patrick C. Hill of N. Wilkesboro - Appalachian State Evan Powell of Graham - North Carolina A&T University
University Son of SGT (Ret) LaMonte and Donna Powell - NC Air
Son of CSM (Ret) Reginald and Karen Hill - 130th MEB Guard
Dennis Jallah of Durham - UNC-Chapel Hill SECU Foundation/NCNGA Educational Foundation
SGT - 112th Financial Management Scholarship - $5,000
Evan McCormick of Raleigh - Wake Technical College
Sara E. Lefler of Concord - UNC-Charlotte Son of MAJ (Ret) Stephen and Darlette McCormick - JFHQ
Daughter of CMSgt and Mrs. Mitchell E. Lefler - 145th
Airlift Wing SECU Foundation/NCNGA Educational Foundation
Scholarship - $10,000
Corey J. Mansfield of Gastonia - Anderson University Timothy Lewis of Rocky Mount - N.C. State University
Son of 1SG and Mrs. Walter J. Mansfield – HHC 130th MEB Son of SSG (Ret) Wilbert and Laurette Lewis - CO A 230th
Support BN
Audra G. Morgan of Flat Rock - Milligan College
Grandchild of MSG (Ret) William Roberts - Life Member North Carolina National Guard Association
Scholarship - $500
Kathryn K. Neal of Raleigh - East Carolina University Peyton E. Cline of Boone—Appalachian State
Grandchild of Mr. Kenneth Stalls – Associate Life Member University
Grandchild of SMSgt (Ret) Jim Huss—145th Airlift
Katherine Rodriguez of Dallas - Loyola University Group
Daughter of MSgt Orlando Rodriquez - 145 CES
William J. Hollenack of Wilmington—Undecided
Peyton Rouse of Fayetteville - UNC-Pembroke Son of LTC Paul Hollenack—JFHQ
Grandchild of 1SG Bobby Rouse - Life Member
Cayce James of Charlotte—East Carolina University
Daughter of COL (Ret) Manley James St.--JFHQ
Since 1968, the North Carolina National Guard Education
Association Foundation has awarded a total of $1,624,870 to 2,019
students!
www.ncnga.org Page 15 – Tarheel Guardsman —July/August 2021Tarheel Guardsman Periodicals
NC National Guard Assoc. U. S. Postage
7410 Chapel Hill Road PAID
Raleigh, NC 27607-5047 Raleigh, NC
How to reach us:
919-851-3390
info@ncnga.org
www.ncnga.org
facebook.com/NCNGA
Instagram @ncng_associationYou can also read
