Photo By William Prokopyk | Gov. John Hoeven (left) and others applaud for Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North...... read more read more
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven presented the North Dakota Legion of Merit medal to Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, at the Capitol today. The citation recognized Sprynczynatyk’s distinguished service in leading the North Dakota National Guard and North Dakota Department of Emergency Services’ response during the extensive flooding that struck the state in 2009 and 2010. The North Dakota Legion of Merit is the state’s second highest military commendation.
“Maj. Gen. Sprynczynatyk has demonstrated outstanding leadership of both the North Dakota National Guard and the Department of Emergency Services, and that leadership was especially apparent during statewide flood fights in recent years,” said Hoeven. “He oversaw the largest domestic Guard activation and contributed to the timely and effective response of both the Guard and Emergency Services. We are pleased to present him with this prestigious award in recognition of his distinguished service.”
Twelve members of Sprynczynatyk’s family attended the award presentation, although the medal presentation remained a surprise to Sprynczynatyk, who serves as the commander of the North Dakota National Guard and as the director for the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services. Sprynczynatyk thanked those present and commended the North Dakota National Guard and Department of Emergency Services for their tireless efforts during the flood.
“I am honored to receive this award on behalf of all of the Soldiers, Airmen and civilian employees of our National Guard and Department of Emergency Services,” he said after the presentation. “It’s a pleasure to be associated with such dedicated Guardsmen and civilian employees. Whether emplacing flood barriers, leading volunteer flood-fighting efforts, or coordinating response measures with local, state and federal officials, each member of our organization rose to meet the challenges of these two emergencies. I cannot thank them enough.”
The North Dakota National Guard’s efforts for the 2009 and 2010 flood response consisted of nearly 59,000 and 4,900 workdays, respectively. In 2009 the Guard was on state active duty for nearly 100 days, and in 2010, the Guard spent 18 days on duty. When ordered by the governor, the North Dakota National Guard is the first military responder to civil authorities in a myriad of emergency scenarios, to include missing person searches, flooding, wilderness fires, tornado, and blizzard response.
The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services provides 24/7 emergency communications and resource coordination with more than 50 local, state, and federal agencies, private enterprises and voluntary organizations to assist local jurisdictions in disaster and emergency response and recovery activities. It administers federal disaster recovery programs and the Homeland Security Grant Program. The state of North Dakota has received and managed five major presidential disaster declarations during Sprynczynatyk’s tenure as director of the agency.
| Date Taken: | 06.15.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 06.15.2010 21:27 |
| Story ID: | 51446 |
| Location: | BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 191 |
| Downloads: | 127 |
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