EANGUS Conference

MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS (NGAT)

traveled to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the 50th Annual Conference of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS). Texas had 14 attendees that included 12 members and 2 guest. would like to recognize SMSgt Michael Wolff who redesigned our website earlier this year and MSG (Ret) Theresa Billeck-Zuniga who updates the site and maintains it on a daily basis.

SFC Rosa Rodriquez did the roll call for Texas at the opening session. SFC Mireya Cruz, NGAT President-Elect delivered the NGAT President’s report during the Area IV caucus and did an excellent job in performing her duties as EANGUS Secretary. Guest speakers included the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, General Daniel R. Hokanson and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief, National Guard Bureau, SEA Tony L. Whitehead along with the Directors of the Army and Air National Guard and their senior enlisted advisors to name a few.

Attendees visited the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and were entertained with Native American dances showcasing dance groups from the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico, as well as neighboring Tribal Nations along with native American crafts and food. Texas ran the EANGUS Area IV food booth on all area night serving tamales and rice with Texas hot sauce.

During the conference it was announced that NGAT won first place for the Best Combined Association publication the “NGAT New Magazine.” Special thanks go out to MSG (Ret) Theresa Billeck-Zuniga (editor) and Terri Sheets (graphic designer) for their continued outstanding work on the magazine. It was also announced that NGAT won first place for best non-commercial website. NGAT

SAVE THE DATE

EANGUS AREA IV MID-WINTER MEETING January 14-16, 2022 Hotel at Old Town | Wichita, Kansas

Members were honored to be able to spend time with the Command Sergeant Major of the Army National Guard, CSM John F. Sampa who is a fellow Texan and former member of the Texas Army National Guard. SSG Jared Raymond presented the flag for Texas at the banquet dinner. During the banquet Texas was presented with their recertified charter with EANGUS. Texas was one of only 26 states to renew their charter with EANGUS prior to the conference. H

MAKE PLANS TO JOIN US AT THE 51ST EANGUS “BIG DAM” CONFERENCE IN LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, AUGUST 7-10, 2022. REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN ON THE EANGUS WEBSITE.

USAA WAS THE RECIPIENT of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) Heritage Award at the 2021 EANGUS annual conference banquet. Admiral (Ret) John Bird (center left) and CMSgt (Ret) Richard “Dick” Smith (center right) accepted the award from EANGUS President Karen Craig (left) and past President John Harris (right). (Photo courtesy of EANGUS)

CMSGT (RET) DICK SMITH WAS THE 2021

RECIPIENT of the EANGUS Minuteman Award presented at the EANGUS annual conference banquet in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This award was presented for his over 50 years of faithful service to the National Guard. Command Chief Master Sergeant for the Air National Guard and is an NGAT Life Member.

(Photo courtesy of EANGUS)