Awards Ceremonies Awards Ceremonies ARNG is Freedom Salute

Awards Ceremonies

Awards Ceremonies § § ARNG is Freedom Salute ANG is Hometown Heroes Salute Information on both follows Awards and names are different, honors, and heartfelt gratitude remains the same

Freedom Salute Program • Each Soldier is presented with the following: • First deployment: an American flag in a wood display case, a Defender of freedom certificate, Defender of Freedom Medallion and a commemorative coin. • Second deployment: a Freedom Ring. The Soldier’s Spouse will be honored with a mantle clock. • Third deployment or multiple deployments: Each eligible soldier will be recognized for their third deployment by the Freedom Salute Brass Plaque. Each plaque has a commemorative coin at the top and a place to personalize their plaque by inserting a 4 x 6 photo of their choosing.

Hometown Heroes Salute • • • ANG-wide recognition program requested by TAGs and EFAC • Honors Airmen who have deployed for 30 or more consecutive days, away from home station, in support of contingency operations, CONUS/OCONUS • ANG Director/Command Chief Master Sergeant Championed • Launched to the field Jan 09 Honors Airman, Airman’s family and Center of Influence (COI) • Family: Spouse/Significant Other, Children • Center of Influence (COI): Anyone the member designates as influence/support (i. e. , clergy, employer, Uncle, etc. ) HHS website launched 1 Apr 09: https: //airguard. ang. af. mil/hometownheroessalute • Awards will be implemented in two phases • Phase I: “Catch-Up” 2009 – Honor all eligible ANG members from 9/11/01 through 12/31/08, anticipate 70, 000+ eligible members • Phase II: Commences Jan 2010 – Eligibility timeline starts from 1 Jan 09 • Family members and COI’s honored both Phases

Hometown Heroes Salute Honorees may receive one of the following three tiered awards: 1 st Tier: Framed Hometown Heroes Salute Coin with Letter of Appreciation signed by the ANG Director and Command Chief Master Sergeant. (30 – 179 consecutive days) 2 nd Tier: Framed American Flag with Hometown Heroes Salute Coin. (180 – 365 consecutive days) 3 rd Tier: Eagle Statue with Hometown Heroes Salute Coin (366+ consecutive days) Honored Family members and Centers of Influence will receive the following Spouse or Significant other: HHS Logo engraved Rosewood Pen/Pencil Set. Children: HHS Logo engraved Dog Tags Center of Influence (COI): HHS Logo Medallion.