Photo By David Lipp | North Dakota Air National Guard nominees for Outstanding Airman of the year pose for a...... read more read more
FARGO, N.D. — When outstanding airmen of the North Dakota National Guard were honored this past weekend, three rose to the top as the best of the best: a college student and prolific volunteer, the founder of a nonprofit organization and a long-time Happy Hooligan active within the community. They were among the people celebrated as the 2011 Outstanding Airmen of the Year banquet in Moorhead, Minn., reflected on a year’s worth of accomplishments.
“The North Dakota National Guard is the finest in the nation and a large part of our Guard’s success is due to the extraordinary accomplishments of the men and women of the 119th Wing,” said Gov. Jack Dalrymple. “Whether answering this country’s call to duty or serving their local communities, the Happy Hooligans continue to set standards for exemplary service as demonstrated by the contributions of this year’s outstanding airmen.”
Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, highlighted the accomplishments of all 14 airmen who advanced to the top of their squadrons as Outstanding Airmen of the Year nominees. His comments wove in portions of the Airmen’s Creed as he recognized the determination, values and work ethic of the unit known as the Happy Hooligans.
“Each nominee deserves our thanks and congratulations. They have all reached tonight by being among the best of the best. Their accomplishments both in and out of the military are extraordinary,” he said. “They are all warriors who have answered their nation’s call, and they are here today because they believe in serving our communities, state and nation. This is an even bigger commitment during a time of war and yet they have all joined or re-enlisted during such a time.”
Sprynczynatyk also presented awards to Tech. Sgt. David Permann and Master Sgt. Rollin Swedberg. Permann works in the 119th Maintenance Squadron and was named Unit Career Adviser of the Year, while Swedberg, also with the Maintenance Squadron, was honored as the First Sergeant of the Year.
Chief Master Sgt. Tamara R. Phillips, the state command chief for the Ohio National Guard and the evening’s keynote speaker, addressed the culture of success within the Air National Guard.
“Keep the momentum going,” she said to the audience. “… You’ve got to give one more degree of effort.”
That one degree, she said, is significant. At 211 degrees, water is hot, but at one more degree it boils, producing steam. Steam can power a locomotive, “and that industry that changed the world.”
The award presentation followed, during which time three members of the Fargo-based 119th Wing were honored. Senior Airman Kimberly Zuroff, a Bismarck native who lives in Fargo, was named Outstanding Airman of the Year. Staff Sgt. Nathanael Baardson, of Moorhead, was named Outstanding Non-commissioned Officer of the Year, and Chief Master Sgt. Leah Terry, of Argusville, N.D., was named Senior Non-commissioned Officer of the Year.
Zuroff was born in Robinsdale, Minn., and attended Century High School in Bismarck, N.D., before joining the North Dakota Air National Guard in 2009. She says her most memorable moment of her service was working as a security forces augmentee. Zuroff is pursuing a business administration degree from North Dakota State University while working as a realtor in Fargo. She enjoys traveling, cooking, triathlons and time with friends and family. She volunteers for United Way, Homeless and Hungry, Salvation Army and Churches United for the Homeless, and is actively involved with the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Chamber, FM Young Professionals Network, the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, the Junior Enlisted Advisory Council and North Dakota DECA.
Baardson was raised in Moorhead, Minn., and graduated from Park Christian High School. He joined the North Dakota Air National Guard in 2004, working as a firefighter with the 119th Civil Engineer Squadron before becoming a journalism apprentice with the 119th Wing Public Affairs Office. He graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and film studies at North Dakota State University. In 2008, he started Bentwing Productions, his own media marketing company, and in 2011 he founded Unseen Ministries, a nonprofit organization that supports mission groups around the world that are working to stop human trafficking, feed the hungry, and provide for orphans. Baardson recently returned from a three-week trip to Asia as part of his nonprofit’s efforts.
Terry has served in the North Dakota Air National Guard for 32 years, working in education and training, transportation, administration and, now, as the 119th Force Support Squadron superintendent. She says it’s the job she has always wanted. Terry was raised in Moorhead and studied interior design at North Dakota State University. Her hobbies include interior design, abstract painting, motorcycles, working out and traveling. She also volunteers her time on the Auger Inn Board and for the Salvation Army, YWCA, Harwood American Legion, Christ the King Church and River Keepers and serves as a life member of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States.
Terry’s husband, Chief Master Sgt. Scott “Cooter” Terry, is deployed with the 119th Civil Engineer Squadron to Southwest Asia and joined the banquet briefly via Skype. He complimented his wife and let the audience know that “the Hooligans here are doing North Dakota proud.”
| Date Taken: | 03.03.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 03.05.2012 12:00 |
| Story ID: | 84759 |
| Location: | FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 81 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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