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This summer, NGAUS welcomed a group of enthusiastic, ready-to-learn interns at NGAUS HQ to join the National Guard Educational Foundation staff and Government Affairs team for an inside look at preservation of our nation’s first militia and advocacy.
Michael Bonfiglio (center), Lucas Soto (left) and Ben Voelke (right) arrived at the National Guard Memorial, the association’s headquarters, in May, shortly after completing their spring semesters. All plan to be here until August when they’ll continue their respective studies.
For Michael Bonfiglio, a graduate student in World War II studies at Arizona State University, it was a dream come true working downstairs with the National Guard Educational Foundation staff inside its National Guard Memorial Museum, library and archives.
After traveling around Europe in the summer of 2024, Bonfiglio, a native of Irvine, California, was inspired to pursue a career in military history after talking to a museum tour guide overseas.
Given that his best friend is a member of the Alabama Army National Guard, he thought an internship with NGEF would be a great opportunity.
Of his time here, he said, “I want to expand my horizons and gain first-hand knowledge of the history.”
He assisted staff on the redesign of the World War II exhibit in its museum and is looking for a full-time job after the internship. Bonfiglio says he is willing to go “wherever the wind will take me.”
“Michael has been a great addition to our team this summer. His thorough research and passion for history have been a real help with the exhibit update,” said Will Roulett, the NGEF deputy director.
Lucas Soto, a resident of nearby Alexandria, Virginia, is assisting the government affairs team this summer. As an Army ROTC student and rising junior at College of Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, he hopes working for the oldest military association will help educate him for what he can expect when he receives his commission after graduation.
Soto also says he enjoys “seeing how the Hill works in person.”
His internship is supported by the Holy Cross Crusader Internship Fund, which provides financial assistance throughout the duration of his internship at NGAUS.
Ben Voelke, a native of Springfield, Virginia, and a rising junior at Syracuse University, looks forward to making a difference while giving the opportunity to learn from the association’s advocacy team.
Voelke calls his internship “a great environment” and has enjoyed “taking a deep dive” into the legislative world. He hopes for a return to Capitol Hill in the future following his time at Syracuse.
This week, Voelke is in Alaska, taking part in a retreat sponsored by The 98 Fund that aims to support and honor classmates killed during combat operations. Ben is the son of Army Maj. Paul Voelke, a 1998 West Point graduate, Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2012.
“Our interns have been invaluable to the association’s work and to the National Guard as a whole,” said Jon Eisberg, the NGAUS vice president of government affairs. “We are very grateful for their contributions and dedication. Each day, they impressed us with their work ethic and professionalism. We are excited to see what they do next and thank them for their commitment to the NGAUS mission.”
Soto and Voelke are working on their bachelor’s degrees in Political Science. In 2023, Bonfiglio graduated from Bowling Green State University in Ohio with a B.A. in History, where he was president of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. Back at school, Soto plays for his university’s club ice hockey team. Voelke plans to return to school this fall to work for the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs.
—By Rich Arnold
