Wing wins back to back Air National Guard Family of the Year

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Chris Nelson
  • 189th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE Ark. --  The Arkansas Air National Guard 189th Airlift Wing is well-known by its members and local community for a family and service before self atmosphere, and now the wing is recognized nation-wide as the back to back winner of the Air National Guard Family of the Year award.

Master Sgt. Julie Snyder, a 189th Airlift Wing Operations Group loadmaster instructor, and her family were presented the Air National Guard Family of the Year award July 25, 2011, in Louisville, Ky.

The Snyders are truly an involved Guard family. All three members of the Snyder family have been involved in the success, and are tireless supporters, of the 189th AW Airman and Family Readiness Program. Snyder's husband, Gary, is a retired active duty loadmaster and their son, Avery, is an active youth volunteer.

Their dedication was recognized by the 189th AW in October 2009 when the Snyder's received the 189th Wing Family of the Year award and again in Oct. 2010 when they were selected as the Arkansas National Guard Family of the Year.

"Their assistance with food and toy drives have allowed the Family Program to impact the lives of several Wing/GSU families by providing valuable donations to many local charities," said Mrs. Stephanie Wynn, 189th Airlift Wing Family Program manager.

Snyder and Avery helped to decorate and deliver food and toy drive boxes around the wing. During the 2010 Family Reunion Day, Snyder donated the use of her cotton candy machine and made over 350 bags of cotton candy to give the children.

Avery has been a tremendous asset to the wing youth group. He has written letters to children with a deployed parent, built deployment packets for families of our deployed Airmen, assisted in preparing and serving thousands of meals for Family Reunion Day and the Hunter Education Course sponsored by the wing.

The entire Snyder family volunteers their time for nearly all family related events held by the wing.

"The 189th has been good to our family and for our family," said Snyder. "We enjoy working with a lot of people who have known us from the beginning of our military careers. Many of these same people have watched our son Avery grow-up over the years.
"The members of the Wing are our extended family," she added. "Our family has benefited in many ways from working with 189th members and their families and we enjoy helping wherever needed to help further the 189th AW missions; both military and community related."

In addition to all of the support this family provides to the Arkansas National Guard, they are extremely involved in their community and local church. The family also volunteers with the Relay for Life, Coats for Kids, Jacksonville Care Channel, Chapter 54, NCO Academy Graduates Association and the Enlisted Association of the Arkansas National Guard catering team.

"The Snyders are an incredible military family," said Wynn. "They are extremely dedicated to this wing, the Arkansas Air National Guard and their community. They have helped improve the lives of many military families."