MDSGA Selects New Staff Sgt. (MDDF) Edward L. Salas Memorial Enlisted Soldier of the Year

By CPT (MDDF) Stephen Rice
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
30 December, 2013

The Maryland State Guard Association (MDSGA) has recently selected their new Enlisted Soldier of the Year named in honor of former Staff Sgt. (MDDF) Edward L. Salas who passed away in 2011. At the recent MDSGA Holiday Ball, Sgt. (MDDF) Karen Holmes was selected to receive this prestigious award and replace the reigning 2011 award winner, Staff Sgt. (MDDF) Paul Swenson. The award is given by the MDSGA upon the recommendation of the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Council.

Staff Sgt. (MDDF) Swenson, the outgoing award winner was selected in December 2011 for his selfless service and outstanding contributions to the MDDF. Staff Sgt. (MDDF) Swenson is a founding member of the MDDF Band where he plays the French Horn, as well as supporting the MDDF Band Drumline on bass drum. In addition, Staff Sgt. (MDDF) Swenson served as the lead developer of the refreshed MDDF web presence, which he continues to support on an as needed basis. He was also an early member of the MDDF Rapid Action Team. Staff Sgt. (MDDF) Swenson is also the recipient of the MDDF Achievement Medal.

In the civilian world, Swenson is a lead systems engineer working onsite at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland supporting the upcoming LADEE lunar mission launching in August, 2013. He also plays Alto Horn with the Federal City Brass Band (a Civil War reenactor band), and is an avid skier. MDDF Band commander, Maj. (MDDF) Jari Villanueva recently commented that “Staff. Sgt. Swenson has been invaluable to the success of the MDDF and the band in particular.”

Sgt. (MDDF) Karen Holmes, the incoming award winner was selected for her dedication, professionalism and tireless commitment to the MDDF. Sgt. (MDDF) Holmes currently serves as the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) NCO as well as the administrative coordinator for the MDDF Honor Guard Detachment. Capt. (MDDF) Darrell Hervey, the MWR officer stated that “Sgt. (MDDF) Holmes has gone the extra mile to support the well being of MDDF personnel and is very deserving of this honor.”

In her civilian career, Sgt. (MDDF) Holmes is a federal government safety officer and active volunteer. She works with the American Red Cross for the National Capital Region. Working with the Red Cross, she is part of the Disaster Action Team and oversees MASS Care for the Prince George’s County chapter. She has also served in the Medical Reserve Corps and as a volunteer for the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission Park Police.

Col. (MDDF) Michael Barrett, president of the MDSGA said that, “The MDDF is blessed to have a strong NCO corps that serves as the backbone of our state reserve component.” “It is an honor for the MDSGA to support the MDDF and recognize these outstanding individuals.”

The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is the State’s uniformed volunteer military unit providing professional and technical assistance to the Maryland Military Department. Established in 1917, the MDDF consists of nearly 450 personnel who perform legal, engineering, finance, medical, chaplain, field support and ceremonial services for the State of Maryland. For more information: http://mddf.maryland.gov/.

MDDF Supports U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Campaign

By CPT (MDDF) Stephen Rice
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
26 December 2013

Starting in September of 2012, members of the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) Alpha Company worked with other organizations and military units to collect toys for needy children in Washington County, Maryland. The U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots campaign is typically spearheaded by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve but Washington County does not host any active or reserve U.S. Marine Corps units. Working with military and civilian partners, the MDDF helped to fill the void and ensure that hundreds of needy children received toys for Christmas.

MDDF Warrant Officer James Mills served as the project officer for the MDDF and coordinated efforts with the Antietam Marine Corps League, the Maryland National Guard (MDNG), the Salvation Army and civilian volunteers. More than 500 toys were collected at the MDNG Armory in Hagerstown, Maryland by the MDDF’s Alpha Company, the MDNG 581st Troop command, the MDNG Troop C 158th Cavalry, the MDNG 29th MP Company and MDNG Family Support personnel. The toys were combined with collections from other sites and brought to a temporary Antietam Marine Corps League “distribution center” at the Long Meadow Shopping Center in Hagerstown in mid-December. More than 10,000 toys were collected and brought to the distribution center with the help of Alpha Company.

The Salvation Army Toy Shop combined the toys with boxes of food and turkeys that were distributed between December 20th and December 22nd to the needy families. Retired Marines and sailors personally delivered toys to families that were unable to come to the distribution center. In total, more than 1100 families were served which included more than 2600 kids. Every child received at least nine toys.

Warrant Officer (MDDF) James Mills remarked, “I am so happy that we were able to bring some joy to thousands of Maryland kids this holiday season.” Maj. (MDDF) Donald Cutsail who also participated commented, “I was really proud of what we were able to accomplish and I think we can have an even bigger impact next year.” Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Brian R. Kelm, the MDDF commander concluded, “The Maryland Defense Force through acts large and small is proactively supporting communities throughout this great state. I am so proud that Alpha Company saw a local need and stepped-up to the plate.”

The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is the State’s uniformed volunteer military unit providing professional and technical assistance to the Maryland Military Department. Established in 1917, the MDDF consists of nearly 450 personnel who perform legal, engineering, finance, medical, chaplain, field support and ceremonial services for the State of Maryland. For more information: www.mddf.maryland.gov