NGAUS Staff

NGAUS hosted 46 attendees from 29 states at its annual two-day Legislative Workshop earlier this month with one major theme: working with the 54.

The event provides a platform for those involved in Guard advocacy nationwide to discuss priorities as Congress begins deliberations on fiscal 2027 defense legislation, said retired Col. Jon “Ice” Eisberg, the association’s vice president for government affairs.

The National Guard Educational Foundation recognized another large group of major donors Saturday evening during a special reception at the National Guard Memorial, the NGAUS headquarters in Washington, D.C.

NGAUS retired members will be able to connect with their representatives on the association’s board of directors during a virtual meeting Nov. 20. This is the third in a series of virtual meetings with retired members that began last year.

Retired Brig. Gen. Stephen Koper, the NGAUS president from 2004 to 2009, died Oct. 31. He was 84. Koper spent 32 years in uniform, all of it in the Ohio Air National Guard.

Michael Metz has joined the NGAUS communications team. His position is responsible for writing and editing news stories for NATIONAL GUARD, the association’s bi-monthly magazine, and Washington Report, the NGAUS weekly e-newsletter. He will also provide content for NGAUS.org.

Mississippi Army National Guard 2nd Lt. Sawyer Walters came to Washington, D.C., last week “with a positive attitude” for the second NGAUS Capitol Summit of 2025.

The continuing government shutdown is uniquely hard on the Soldiers and Airmen of the National Guard. We have thousands of full-time Guardsmen nationwide who wear their uniform and rank every workday but, unlike their active-duty brothers and sisters, they have yet to be paid in October.

Valerie Lucas joined NGAUS as its membership and marketing program manager last week. She will bring her graphic design expertise to the association.

More than 100 golfers enjoyed a sunny fall day on the links Monday at the 27th Annual National Guard Educational Foundation Golf Tournament held at Laurel Hill Golf Club in Lorton, Virginia.

Carpe Diem may be the phrase which best summarizes the approach of NGAUS’ new Industry Liaison. Nina Reiss hit the ground running with her first days spent working the 147th General Conference & Exhibition in Milwaukee.

NGAUS held a second virtual NGAUS retired/separated caucus for NGAUS members June 26, after a successful inaugural event in December.