Louisiana National Guard Enlisted Association

Louisiana Vet Legislation Update 01:

popeye — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:40:35 +0000

Calling it ―a small thank you,‖ Gov. Bobby Jindal signed a bill into law 5 JUL that extends benefits to Louisiana National Guardsmen disabled in action and to the families of those killed in action, retroactive to 2001. Jindal signed flanked by its author, Rep. Nick Lorusso, R-New Orleans, National Guard officials and family members of four guardsmen killed in action who will receive benefits. ―It‘s fitting on the heels of Independence Day we are here to sign this bill that will ensure military families get the benefits they deserve,‖ Jindal said. ―We know no amount of money will bring their loved ones back. ” I guarantee every one of these families would rather see their husband, their son, their brother walk through that door than to have this check. We can never pay them back. What we can do is show we care.‖
House Bill 143 extends benefits to guardsmen called to active duty since Sept. 11, 2001. A 2007 bill provided such benefits, but only for guardsmen killed or disabled after that bill was passed. HB 143 amends the benefits, extending them back to the start of the War on Terror. ―This is not about money,‖ said Larry Murphy of Crown Point, whose son was killed in action in Iraq in 2005. ―This is about justice and seeing everybody treated equally.‖
Sgt. Warren Murphy was killed along with six other soldiers when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle in Taji, near Baghdad. Larry Murphy, a Navy veteran whose other son, Sean, is in the National Guard and stationed at Camp Beauregard, made the trip with his wife, Bonnie, to witness the ceremony. ―For me personally, it‘s about solidarity,‖ Murphy said. ―You can‘t separate these people from those people when they‘re fighting in the same operation. What‘s fair for one is fair for all.‖
The benefit is $250,000 for a fatality and $100,000 for a permanent disability. Under the new legislation, two guardsmen disabled and the families of 32 guardsmen killed from 2001-07 will receive more than $8 million in benefits. ―This gives certainly peace of mind for many of our soldiers here,‖ said Maj. Gen. Bennett Landreneau, the adjutant general of the Louisiana National Guard. ―As we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, it makes us very comfortable to know it will help families who are so deserving.‖ Lane Carson, secretary of Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, said, ―I am proud to live in a state that values the sacrifices made by our military personnel and supports their families in times of loss.‖ [Source: The News Star Jeff Matthews article 5 Jul 2011

Military Construction $1.068 billion

admin — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:38:43 +0000

Military Construction $1.068 billion – ARNG facilities will receive $873 million and ANG to receive $194 million in military construction funds. While this is represents an adequate funding level, the out years are below the needs to improve and maintain over 3,000 readiness centers, of which 40% are over 50 years old. The NDAA mandates that the Secretary of the Army report back to Congress on the present condition of readiness centers and the funding required to properly maintain the Guard’s facility infrastructure.

LIUNA Applauds Move to Improve Workplace Fairness and Equity for National Guard Technicians

admin — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:34:50 +0000

New Orleans, La. (March 17, 2011) – LIUNA’s National Guard District Council today applauded the reintroduction of the National Guard Technician Equity Act, a critical piece of legislation that will provide greater workplace fairness and equity for National Guard dual-status technicians.

“National Guard dual-status technicians get the worst of both worlds – military and civilian,” said Ben Banchs, business manager of the National Guard District Council. “This measure will go a long way toward correcting the inequities in current law and treating National Guard technicians more like their civilian and military counterparts.”

The bill, introduced by Rep. Rob Andrews, D-N.J., makes a number of changes to federal law to provide greater workplace fairness and equity for National Guard dual-status technicians. These technicians are civilian employees of the National Guard, but must be a member of the Air or Army National Guard as a condition of their civilian position, a very unique feature in the federal government.

Federal law, including the outdated Technician Act of 1968, currently deprives National Guard technicians of long-term job security, the right to appeal suspensions or dismissals, some retirement benefits, affordable health care, overtime pay, enlistment and re-enlistment bonuses and adequate leave time for military training.

Terry O’Sullivan, General President of the Laborers’ Union said, “We are glad to be able to help the brave men and women who work as National Guard dual-status technicians. They serve their country every day on the front lines in natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina and as an integral part of our armed forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. We thank Congressman Andrews for re-introducing this important legislation.”
Over 50,000 National Guard technicians are employed in all 50 states as well as all U.S. territories.
The half-million members of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – are on the forefront of the construction industry, a powerhouse of workers who are proud to build America.

Contact: Ben Banchs at (985) 249-2315 or benbanchs@liuna-ngdc.org

LANGEA 39th Annual Conference Awards

admin — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:31:45 +0000

2011 Guardsmen of the Year

Old Sarge Recipient
COL Barry Keeling
2011 SGM of the Year
SGM Jerry Harvey
2011 NCO of the Year
SSG Nkosi Campbell
2011 Combat Leader of the Year
SSG Levi Thomas
2011 CSM of the Year
CSM William Migues
2011 1SG of the Year
1SG Brian Jackson
2011 Soldier of the Year
PV2 Christopher Dye
2011 Combat Soldier of the Year
SSG Jamie Eppinette

2011 Airmen of the Year

Senior Noncommissioned Officer Category
MSgt Timothy Mitchell
2011 Airmen of the Year – First Sergeant Category
MSgt James Heney
2011 Airmen of the Year – Noncommissioned Officer Category
SSgt Marcus Richards
2011 Airmen of the Year – Airman Category SRA
Joshua Kovacs
2011 Airmen of the Year– Honor Guard Member Category
SSgt Mark Perez-Sandi

The EANGUS 40th Annual Conference

admin — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:19:38 +0000

The EANGUS 40th Annual Conference will be held in Charleston, West Virginia this year.
Dates:
14-17 August 2011
Travel days are Saturday, August 13th and Thursday, August 18th. Actual Conference dates are Sunday, August 14th thru Wednesday August 17th.
For more information please go to www.eangus.org

2011 Louisiana Air National Guard Awardee’s

admin — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:31:57 +0000

CONGRATULATIONS!! 2011 Louisiana Air National Guard Awardee’s

From CMD Chief Downing,

I have the privilege of announcing our 2011 Airman, NCO, SNCO, First Sergeant, and Base Honor Guard Member, Airmen of the Year.

SRA Joshua Kovacs, 259th Air Traffic Control Squadron, Airman of the Year
SSgt Marcus Richards, 159th Force Support Squadron, Services Flight, NCO of the Year
MSgt Timothy Mitchell, 159th Security Forces Flight, SNCO of the Year
MSgt James Heney, 214th Engineering and Installation Squadron, First Sergeant of the Year
SSgt Mark Perez-Sandi, 159th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Alert, Honor Guard Member of the Year

Please pass along our congratulations to each of these fine Airmen!