Haugens named National Guard ‘Family of the Year’

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A Dickinson family has been named the Army National Guard’s National Family of the Year after winning the state title in March.

Sgt. 1st Class Rick Haugen and his wife, Tess, and their children Courtney, 13, Dane, 10, and Trey, 7, were chosen from about 50 Army National Guard families, according to a Guard press release issued Wednesday.

“The Haugen family is deserving of this national recognition for their dedication to volunteerism and to supporting North Dakota’s National Guard members and their families,” said Gov. John Hoeven in the release. “Their service exemplifies the outstanding contributions of our National Guard, as well as the extraordinary support that exists for our Guard men and women within communities, businesses and families across the state.”

Haugen has been in the Guard for nearly 21 years.

According to the release, Haugen said he and his family are honored to be recognized.

“It means a lot to us,” he said. “We are in this together. It’s all about being part of a great National Guard family.”

The Haugens are the first North Dakota family to win the award.

Tags: national guard, family of the year, news, local, haugen