Michigan Department of Agriculture Employees in the Guard and Reserve

Ssgt Christine Medaugh (Laboratory Division)
Ssgt Medaugh is a member of the Michigan Air National Guard. She has been a part of the 110th Fighter Wing in Battle Creek for 5 years. As a Munitions Systems Journeyman, her job is to build, store, inspect, and account for all non-nuclear munitions on base, some of which include bombs, missiles, and bullets. In 2005, Christine was awarded the State of Michigan Airman of the Year award. Christine works for the Pesticide Data Program as a Laboratory Scientist. She is also working to obtain a Masters Degree in Epidemiology at Michigan State University.

SSG Rob Witgen (Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division)
SSG Witgen is the Squadron Effects/Targeting NCO for 1st Squadron 126th Cavalry and is preparing for an upcoming deployment to Iraq.

Rob joined the Michigan Army National Guard in September 1987 with 1st Battalion 119th Field Artillery's Headquarters, and Headquarters Battery. From 1987 to 1992 Rob held various enlisted positions within the battery fire support cell, ranging from radio telephone operator to fire support specialist and forward observer. In October 1992, Rob became a Noncommissioned Officer with the rank of Sergeant serving as a Forward Observer and Fire Support Sergeant for Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie Companies of the 1st Battalion 125th Infantry, and as Fire Support Sergeant for Delta Company 1st Battalion 126th Armor. In 2004 Rob deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Camp Delta in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where he served as a Block Sergeant, S-2 Mail operations, and as a Squad Leader. Rob was promoted to Staff Sergeant while in Cuba. 2005 brought a deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served as a Squad Leader, Bravo Company Fire Support Sergeant, and Information Operations Sergeant, and worked in the Battalion S-2 shop analyzing data/intelligence. Rob joined the Department of Agriculture as a Fruit and Vegetable Inspector in November 2006. Prior to joining the MDA, Rob spent over 19 years with Meijer, Inc. Rob is also the proud father of his 16 year old daughter Chelsea.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources Employees and Family

Sgt. Victoria Lischalk (Parks & Recreation employee)
MI Army Nat'l Guard, B (-) Company 112th AVN (S&S) 18 years of service, no deployments to date Husband Sgt. Steve Lischalk is currently serving in Iraq.

Sgt. Steve Lischalk (Husband of Parks & Recreation employee Victoria Lischalk)
MI Army Nat'l Guard.
Currently serving in Iraq with the 146th MMB (Multifunctional Medical Battalion) from Grand Ledge. He has been deployed since July 06 and will hopefully be returning Oct. 07.

Sgt. Luis Perez (LED Conservation Officer)
46th Military Police Company (MP CO) at Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Baghdad, Iraq.
This is Perez's third activation with the Michigan Army National Guard. The first time he was deployed with the 1775th MP CO from January 2003 to August 2004 and served in both Kuwait and Iraq and The second time was for the Hurricane Katrina effort. He has a total of 20 years with the Michigan Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves. He would love to see the look on people's faces when they search the DNR web site (www.michigan.gov/dnr) and see that a hunter safety course is being offered in Baghdad, Iraq. "I thought, what better way to share the hunting heritage and expose a few of my fellow troops to an opportunity to enjoy Michigan's beautiful Natural Resources when they return home. Many of the young men and women that I work with here in Iraq have never experienced the relaxation of being in Michigan's outdoors."

Commander Robert E. Humphries (husband of Rebecca Humphries)
U. S. Navy
Bob is a retired Wildlife Division employee and husband of Becky Humphries. He retired from the U. S. Navy with 38 years of service. Bob was a reservist in Naval Intelligence and was called up to active duty for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Capt. Steven Burton (LED Conservation Sergeant) Army National Guard Engineer Officer, current assignment as the assistant S-3, Plans and Operations, 107th Engineer Battalion, 16+ years.
Current duties include planning of missions and training for 650+ member Engineer Battalion located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Engineers are responsible for clearing of roads, minefields, and other obstacles in today's battlefield. Also included are tasks for building, constructing, and planning of horizontal and vertical construction projects. An example of this would be the building of schools, infrastructure, and roads and airfields for assigned areas of responsibility. Last year I spent 45 high tempo training days in England, Scotland, Virginia, Missouri and California. Our unit is currently preparing for deployment later this year. Thanks for your interest in the Michigan Army National Guard. "Sgt Steven Burton is a Captain in the National Guard and is committed to both protection of our natural resources and protection of our country. If he is willing I would support the recognition he deserves by participating in this event." Lt. Thomas Courchaine LED

Col. Roland (Rollie) Johnson (Parks & Recreation)
Sgt. Jeff Johnson (Intern, Parks & Recreation)
Col. Roland Johnson completes his 30th year with the Army Reserve and National Guard this year and will be retiring in July. Col. Johnson had the distinct honor of conducting the re-enlistment ceremony for his son, Jeff, a student intern for Parks.

Sgt. Jeff Johnson (Rollie's son) reenlisted for six years with the Michigan Air National Guard, 110th Fighter Wing, AMMO section on Friday, April 6, 2007. The Michigan 110th Fighter Wing is located at the Air Base in Battle Creek. Don Johnson, (Rollie's father) served in the Navy, on the destroyer - USS Kendrick during WWII.

Thanks to the Johnson's for their service to our nation.

Lt. Colonel Kelly Grumelot (Human Resources)
U.S. Army. 82nd Air Brigade.
In pre mobilization to go to Iraq (July 11, 2007) to help train the Iraqi police.

Pvt. Brett Gloden (son of employee Teresa Gloden) Completed Basic Training in Ft. Knox, Kentucky in November, 2006 and graduated with the highest PT score in his platoon in and also qualified as an expert with an M-16. Graduated from AIT (Advanced Individual Training) on March 1, 2007 where he also qualified as expert with an M-16. He is assigned to the National Guard Maintenance Unit in Grand Ledge Michigan.

Sgt. Troy Bahlau (LED Conservation Officer)
1986 U.S. Marine Infantry and Marine Recon (1st Recon BN) Served in Desert Storm and left active duty in 1992 Transferring to the Marine Reserves, Charlie Co. Infantry out of Lansing until 1995.
After Sept 11th 2001 I felt I needed to return to military duty and enlisted in the Army National Guard "F" Co. Long Range Surveillance (LRS) unit out of Mount Clemmons Michigan in 2003 Deployed to Iraq in Dec. of 2003 and returned home in Feb 2005. Now retired.

"I wish I could make it to the meeting in support of the DNR's signing of the Michigan Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. April 12th is my son's 5th birthday and we have a big day/party planned.

After returning home I made the very difficult decision to leave the military life to spend time with my young family (ages 2, 4, and 6) I don't regret a day of my military service, I'm extremely proud of my service and all who have served and sacrificed. I hope in the end I have helped in some way to make the world a safer place for my kids to grow up in. I would just like to say that during the 15 months I was deployed away from home to Iraq, the DNR was outstanding in supporting my military duty and my family at home. All my administrative duties were taken care of. My family was never left out while I was away, a couple of examples of this would be a Christmas party for my family with many wonderful gifts for my wife and 3 young children, DNR employees also kept up on the yard work, raking leaves and even spent an entire day with a large work party to build my kids a beautiful play area. I can't say enough about how well we were taken care of and supported by The DNR, From the Command down to the Officers and their families. I will always remember that!!!!!!!!!!"

Sgt. Gary Jones (Parks & Recreation)
Michigan Army National Guard
Attached to Maneuver Training Center (MTC) at Camp Grayling Michigan.
Range control and operations section. I have not been deployed, yet. I am in the minority as 80% of the Michigan Army National Guard has been deployed somewhere since 9/11.

CSM Thomas E. Paquin, (Parks & Recreation - Cheboygan)
Michigan Army National Guard 272 Regional Support Group, Jackson, Michigan Desert Storm Was planning to attend the signing as part of a trip to Lansing for a Boating Team meeting, that trip had to be cancelled, so he will not be attending today.

Sgt. Ben Travis (Wildlife)
Army National Guard
1430th engineer detachment out of Gladstone Michigan Previously called C company 107th engineer battalion 3rd Infantry Division. Served at Baghdad - Camp Liberty for Operation Iraqi Freedom 3 ? 10 months in 2005. Was away from the DNR for 16 months total Currently in Wisconsin, at Fort McCoy, for additional mechanic training this April. ?I am so grateful for the support I received from wildlife division, the DNR, and the Governor while I was in Iraq with my unit in 2005. If you need any other assistance on other dates or in another manner with regards to this wonderful program, please let me know."

*Russell Jay Self (Jake) (father of employee Judy Gibson ? Wildlife)
My father was in World War II, United States Navy, and he is deceased. I want show my support of our troops. Thank you for including him in this recognition.

Larry Green (Forest Fire Officer)
This is great I would personally like to thank you and all for this effort. I was in the Army and still support all our troops when ever I can trough our Church and the American Red Cross. On a side note I have spent a lot of hours talking with Guys encouraging them to seek professional help when they show signs of PTSD from being in the Gulf or Iraq.

Sgt. Robert Drumm (Uniformed guest in support of Sgt. Victoria Lischalk)
Bravo Company 1st of the 112th Aviation, Support and Security Active Guard, Grand Ledge, Michigan