Grand Island, Neb. — In an effort to strengthen ties between the City of Grand Island and the Nebraska National Guard (NENG), the two entities will joining forces on Wednesday, October 16 for a new Community Partnership Program.
The day will be full of events, including a morning wreath laying ceremony at 8:30 a.m. and a signing ceremony at Grand Island City Hall at 12:20 p.m. Mayor Roger Steele will be joined by Major General Craig Strong, who is the 34th adjutant general of the Nebraska Military Department. The partnership that forms will focus on the areas of emergency preparedness and response as well as supporting local area military service members and veterans.
“One of the core principles of emergency preparedness is the development of relationships and partnerships between key response agencies before an emergency strikes,” said Strong, who also serves as the director of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. “In the Nebraska National Guard, our goal is to become the partner of choice. That’s why we are excited to formally begin this new partnership between the Nebraska National Guard and the City of Grand Island and begin to chart new ways in which we can work together.”
The Community Partnership Program (CPP) is a new Nebraska Military Department program, managed and administered by the Nebraska adjutant general. CPP allows the Nebraska Military Department to support Nebraska citizens by recognizing and developing enduring relationships within local communities while also carrying out activities to build trust, open lines of communications and to enhance the overall readiness for emergency response.
The partnership will immediately begin brainstorming future collaborative efforts, including visits with several civic organizations, meetings with local veterans, and discussions with Grand Island Police, Fire and other local first response personnel.
“Grand Island’s rich history with our state’s veterans made entering this partnership an easy decision,” Grand Island Mayor Roger Steele said. “We look forward to hosting the Nebraska National Guard in Grand Island, and we can’t wait to see this partnership grow through the years ahead.”
The public is invited to attend the wreath laying ceremony at Grand Island’s Veterans Park in honor and remembrance of both present and past Grand Island area veterans. Local media wishing to cover the ceremonies are highly encouraged to contact NENG State Public Affairs Officer Kevin Hynes at (402) 309-8390 or kevin.j.hynes.civ@army.mil.
The Nebraska National Guard is also hosting a day-long Guard for a Day event at the Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility No. 2, where local high school students will be able to learn more about the Nebraska National Guard and its missions, meet current members of the local Grand Island units, and see the various equipment and skills that Nebraska Guard Soldiers and Airmen use to support their state and national responsibilities.
The Nebraska Army National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility No. 2 is co-located near the Central Nebraska Regional Airport at 3010 Airport Road East.
