Retired 185th Member Receives Prestigious "Extra Mile" Award

  • Published
  • By TSgt Rich Murphy
  • 185th ARW PA
NEW ORLEANS --  Col. Larry Harrington, a retired member of the 185th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) was presented the Extra Mile award at the Annual National Volunteer Workshop and Youth Symposium, Aug. 1, 2010, in New Orleans, La.

The Extra Mile award is presented to retirees who distinguish themselves with exceptional service to the family program by continuing to serve the Guard through volunteering.

Since retiring in 1997, Harrington's volunteer work for has been invaluable to the 185th Airman and Family Readiness Program. Family Readiness Program Manager Lori Risdal said, "Larry's energy and enthusiasm for doing everything he can for military families and retirees is contagious."

Harrington serves as the liaison for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) program. Harrington resolves employer issues for service members, regardless of military affiliation, throughout the deployment cycle. Additionally, he assists with the Yellow Ribbon Program, which provides service members and their families with information about their benefits and rights prior to deployment.

Harrington has also volunteered to support a variety of local family and community events including the "My Boss is a Patriot" program, Commissary Case Lot sales, the Children's Miracle Network and the local Honor Flight Program, which gave 300 local WWII veterans and family members the opportunity to fly to Washington, D.C. and view their memorial and other sites in the nation's capital. Harrington even volunteers as Santa Claus at over 30 events every holiday season.

Harrington also actively participates in local fundraising efforts. Because of the work of Harrington and several other volunteers, 300 WWII veterans and family members were given the opportunity to fly to Washington, D.C. to view their memorial and other sites in the nation's capital.

Risdal adds, "Larry epitomizes the spirit of this award--always going the extra mile to support local military families and retirees. He doesn't expect rewards and accolades, preferring to stay out of the spotlight and do his good deeds behind the scenes. His outstanding support of military members, families and retirees, regardless of their military affiliation, made it an easy decision to recommend him for the Air Extra Mile award."

The National Guard Joint Family Program provides support to military families and establishes ongoing communication, involvement, support and recognition between National Guard families and the National Guard. The program recognizes the importance of volunteers in the success of our national program. The Volunteer Program's goal is to recruit, train and motivate volunteers. The recognition of volunteers is a priority.

The Volunteer Award Recognition began in 2008 with the help of the National Guard Family Volunteer Program Coordinators and National Guard Regional Volunteer Team (NGRVT). It promotes superior performance among volunteers, and recognizes outstanding contributions made by volunteers and organizations.

For more information on about the National Guard Joint Family Volunteer Program, contact Lori Risdal at (712) 233-0817 or email at loretta.risdal@ang.af.mil.

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