News
Adjutant General visits Bottineau
Scott Wagar
12/04/2012
David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota’s Adjutant General, visited Bottineau on Saturday morning for a unit holiday visit spending time speaking to the local soldiers and where he also granted award packages to certain members of Bottineau’s unit.
“It is the holiday season and it’s opportunity for me as the Adjutant General, and our other general officers, to get out to all the units and speak with you,” said Sprynczynatyk to Bottineau’s National Guard soldiers. “So, I want to thank you for everything you do for our state and our nation.”
Sprynczynatyk added that 2012 was an outstanding year for North Dakota National Guard, and that for the first time in a number of years North Dakota’s National Guard wasn’t called in for disaster relief.
He also spoke on how well the state’s National Guard units do in combat zones.
“That is what it is all about for us. As a National Guard we serve the nation and we serve the state, and when ever we are a nation at war,which we have been for 11 years, we are often at times called up by the president to go overseas,” Sprynczynatyk said. “And, when ever North Dakota soldiers, Nation Guard soldiers, go over seas they do an outstanding job.”
The Adjutant General also spoke to the soldiers about National Guard members in the state who are presently overseas and the importance to remember them and their family members in their thoughts and prayers.
Sgt. George Nickelson of Bottineau received his retirement award, while Sgt. Clayton Allard of Bottineau was granted a state commendation ribbon by the General for advancing to the state level of the Best Warrior Competition, which is held annually in the state each year.
Sgt. Collin Belgarde of Dunseith also received his retirement package but was not present for the event.
Bottineau’s National Guard is Detachment 1 of the 132 Quartermaster which is a water, storage and distribution unit.
North Dakota National Guard is celebrating its 150th Anniversary this year. The North Dakota National Guard was established in 1862 while the state was still part of the Dakota Territory.