Dedicated to the red, white and blue Guardsman earns unit patch

“It was my childhood dream. I love America. Everything about this country is fantastic,” Michael Howard said when asked why he chose to serve in the National Guard.

A 22-year-old Parkersburg resident, Howard was among approximately 45 Iowa Army National Guard soldiers who earned a unit patch during a Camp Dodge patching ceremony on June 12.

The 2014 A-P graduate’s accomplishments to date include expert carbine marksmanship, the National Defense Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Expert grenade marksmanship, Basic Aviation Badge and Honor (90 percent or above GPA). “This ceremony represents a time-honored tradition where Iowa Citizen-Soldiers officially receive the left-shoulder military patch representing their unit of assignment in the Iowa Army National Guard,” a press release from the National Guard said . “It also marks completion of the Iowa National Guard Recruit Sustainment Program, a preparatory training program that provides new recruits the education and skills needed to excel during their Army Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training (military school.)”

Howard’s Military Occupation Specialty is Aircraft Powertrain Repair.

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