MEDIA RELEASE

The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Eagle Award and the EANGUS Militia Award.

Senator Daniel K. Akaka, center, receives the G. V. "Sonny" Montgomery Eagle Award from Roger Hagan (left), Pres. of the Enlisted Assoc. of the National Guard and Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, Dir. of the U.S. Air National Guard. Photo courtesy of office of Sen. Akaka

The Eagle Award is given to one U.S. Senator and one U.S. Representative each year. The militia award is given to one Senate and one House staffer each year.

The four awards recognize those who have distinguished themselves by advancing the interests of the enlisted soldiers and airmen of the United States National Guard.

The G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Eagle Award for 2011 will be given to U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka (HI-D) and U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack (IA-D).

As the sponsor the Post 9/11 Veterans Education Improvement Act of 2010, Akaka’s legislation expands GI Bill benefits to over 131,000 members of the National Guard. This legislation recognizes Title 32 service (activated by state governments) by Guardsmen to count toward Post 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits.

Realizing that some National Guardsmen had been left out of previous Post 9/11 GI Benefits, Loebsack introduced the National Guard Education Equality Act in 2009. This bill sought to expand GI Benefits to over 84,000 members of the Guard.

Working with Akaka, Loebsack added his legislative language into the Post 9/11 Veterans Education Improvement Act of 2010. The bill was overwhelmingly passed both the House and Senate and was signed into law by President Obama as PL 111-377 on Jan. 4, 2011.

Kate Fitzpatrick, a professional staff member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, will be given the EANGUS Militia Award. Meagan Linn, Legislative Director for Representative Loebsack, will also be presented the EANGUS Militia Award.