As the time draws near for the 278^th ACR to prepare for their wartime mission, our NGATN President, COL Jeffrey Holmes, who is also Commander of the 278^th ACR, is caught in a whirlwind of meetings, travel and preparation for his unit’s upcoming deployment.  In consideration of his busy schedule, I felt a need to interject some thoughts on his behalf. 

2009 has been a very busy year for NGATN. A state conference in March 2009 with the largest sponsor representation ever, two Officer Professional Development Trips to Washington, NGAUS 2009 Conference in Nashville, membership drive, and we are now preparing for the 2010 Conference in February at a new location. 

As the old saying goes, “time waits for no man,” and it seems like we are traveling at the speed of light.  But, in retrospect, that is what we (NGATN) are here for.   NGATN is an organization whose main purpose is to support it members and their families, to insure that the National Guard is always a relevant force.  And, because of our strong membership, I believe we work toward that purpose.  There has not been a time that the membership was called upon that we didn’t get an exuberant response. For example, our membership has been 100% for the past eight years, our legislative responses are second in the nation, the Officer Professional Development trip to Washington has been the benchmark for the other states to follow, and the NGAUS 2009 Conference was the largest and most successful in NGAUS history.  These successes could not have happened if it were not for the support of our members. 

Finally, many of our members, both NGATN and EANGTN, will be deployed in 2010 and will be absent from many of activities mentioned above.  They will be missed.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of them for their service and we look forward to their return. 

Larry McKnight
NGATN Executive Director