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Idaho National Guard
J9 - Service Member & Family Support
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Idaho Military Retiree Quarterly Newsletter | |
Idaho National Guard News | |
Gov. Brad Little transferred command of the Idaho National Guard from Maj. Gen. Michael J. Garshak to Maj. Gen. Timothy J. Donnellan during a change of command ceremony at Gowen Field June 25th 2024. Little appointed Donnellan as the state’s 26th adjutant general and commander, Idaho National Guard. Maj. Gen. | |
Idaho National Guard Opens Childcare Center | |
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Members of the Idaho National Guard held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of its first-ever child care center at Gowen Field.
The Child and Youth Center is part of a program offering Idaho National Guardsmen with children ages 6 months to 12 years free child care assistance during drill weekends through the IDNG Drill Weekend Child Care program.
The program is the first of its kind in the Idaho National Guard and aims to help retention efforts by easing the burden on Guardsmen to find and pay for child care while attending drill.
“Providing child care for our Guardsmen on drill weekends has been a goal of mine for many years,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Garshak, commander and adjutant general of Idaho. “Thanks to the efforts of our amazing team in the J9 Service Member & Family Support Directorate, it has become a reality. Hopefully, over time, we can expand these services to accommodate the entire Military Division work force.”
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116th CBCT OIF III Vets Reunite After 20 Years | |
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The OIF lll 20 year reunion of the Idaho National Guard's 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team deployment was held in Boise, Aug. 9-11. It was a time of reconnection, reflection and for some Veterans, healing.
The weekend included battalion gatherings, a family day that included a live concert performed by the 25th Army Band and a remembrance ceremony in honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Dirk Kempthorne, former U.S. Secretary of the Interior and former Idaho governor, was among those who addressed current members and veterans of the 116th Brigade Combat Team. Kempthorne was serving his second term as governor when the unit deployed.
“To you members of the 116th, I will always be proud and inspired to stand with you,” said Kempthorne. “You have served this state with incredible bravery, courage and achievement. You have established a whole new history for Idaho about what our citizens, when called upon to serve this nation, this state and when necessary, to go to battle, will do and accomplish.”
Idaho Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke was also present, delivering a proclamation from current Idaho Gov. Brad Little to the stage declaring Aug. 10 as a day of recognition for the unit across the state.
Retired Brig. Gen. Alan C. Gayhart, who served as the unit’s commander throughout the deployment, said the unit was bolstered by Guardsmen from 15 states and included unique capabilities that were key to mission success.
“There was a reason the 116th Brigade was selected to serve in this massive area of over 10,000 square miles and three million people,” said Gayhart. “The combination of your military and civilian skills and capabilities were those needed in this troublesome area. It was clear that you were the warriors best suited to not only fight the insurgents in combat, but as citizen-Soldiers you were instrumental in the establishment of government, civic, economic, agricultural and other functions critical to peace and prosperity in this area.”
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Video featuring Idaho National Guard past and present leadership created by Service Member & Family Support Marketing | |
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September
- 12th - Gowen Food Box Giveaway / Joining Forces Meeting (Gowen) / North Idaho Retiree & Veteran Outreach Social
- 13th - 25th Army Battle of the Bands (Boise)
- 14th - Freedom Fest (Burley)
- 18th - Retiree Social (Gowen)
- 28th- Retiree Appreciation Day/Ball (Gowen)
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October
- 6th - 1-183rd Fall Festival
- 10th - Gowen Food Box Giveaway / Joining Forces Meeting (Gowen) / North Idaho Retiree & Veteran Outreach Social
- 16th - Retiree Social (Gowen)
- 18th - Post Falls Fall Festival
- 25th - Gowen Field Trunk or Treat / Idaho Falls & Pocatello Fall Festival
- 26th - Lewiston Fall Festival
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208 Real Estate will be holding its 8th Annual “Gives Back Charity Golf Tournament” on Thursday, September 26. Proceeds will benefit the Idaho Veterans Assistance League – the non-profit that directly assists the residents of the Idaho State Veterans Home in Boise. Sign up at https://bit.ly/208gives
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Scan the QR Code to sign up to participate in the 2nd Annual Veterans Memorial Car Show in Pocatello on Saturday, August 31 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Registration just $20.
Don’t have a car of your own? Come out and admire these beauties of the road and enjoy music, food, drinks, and BBQ. Fun for the whole family!
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St. Vincent de Paul Southwest Idaho presents "Feeding American Heroes," a special drive-thru food distribution event designed to provide essential food items and supplies to esteemed Veterans. This event aims to ensure that Veterans have the resources needed to stay safe and meet their basic needs during any national emergency, catastrophe, or pandemic.
Click Here to Register for a Free Food Box
Click Here to Volunteer
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Idaho National Guard Events | |
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The 25th Army Band is Idaho’s very own military-based musical performance group based in Boise, Idaho! They support communities and events throughout the state.
The Battle of the Bands is a free event open to the public and an opportunity for local bands to win prizes.
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Twin Falls - Sept 14
Food trucks, games, bounce house, face painting, community resources and fun!
Open to military, retiree and veteran families!
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A message about Retiree Appreciation Day from your Retiree Outreach team | | |
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Retiree
Appreciation Day 2024
Calling all Idaho National Guard Military Retirees!! Here is a day that is all about you! The Idaho Retiree Outreach Program wants to invite you and a guest to Retiree Appreciation Day 2024 happening at Gowen Field September 28th. Retirees who plan to attend the evening portion of the event should register for dinner by September 20th. Hope to see you there!
Buy Your Tickets to the Ball
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It's that time of year again for our statewide fall festivals! More information to come on Twin Falls and Boise events. | | |
Monthly Outreach Socials for Veterans, Retirees and Current Serving Military Members | |
Opportunities to Volunteer & Give Back | |
Enjoy the Perks of your Service | | |
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Free Entrance to National Parks for Current Military, Veterans, and Gold Star Families (U.S. National Park Service).
Current US military and dependents, Gold Star Families, and US military veterans are eligible to receive free annual or lifetime passes which cover entrance or day use fees at national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests, and other federal recreational lands.
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Want to Know More About Benefits & Services | |
VA Eligibility
Am I eligible for VA health care benefits?
You may be eligible for VA health care benefits if you served in the active military, naval, or air service and didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge.
If you enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981
You must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which you were called to active duty, unless any of the descriptions below are true for you.
This minimum duty requirement may not apply if any of these are true:
- You were discharged for a disability that was caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service, or
- You were discharged for a hardship or “early out,” or
- You served prior to September 7, 1980
If you’re a current or former member of the Reserves or National Guard
You must have been called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty. If you had or have active-duty status for training purposes only, you don’t qualify for VA health care.
If you served in certain locations and time periods during the Vietnam War era
You’re eligible for VA health care. Keep reading to learn more.
If you meet the basic service and discharge requirements and were exposed to toxins or other hazards while serving our country—at home or abroad
You’re eligible for VA health care. This includes all Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11.
Learn More
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From the J9 Resources of Care | |
September is National Suicide Prevention Month | | |
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A note from your IDNG J9 - Service Member & Family Support team
The Idaho National Guard Service Member & Family Support encompasses a vast range of programs designed to help service members, dependents, retirees, veterans and family members with any issue they may encounter. We invite you to take a look at our website and join our Facebook group to stay up-to-date with the latest resources and offers that may benefit you and your family. Additionally, we always welcome feedback on how we can improve our programs to better serve you.
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