It was exciting news for Dickinson when a local family was named National Guard Family of the Year for North Dakota in March.
It is even more extraordinary that they were recognized and named National Guard Family of the Year for the entire nation last week.
This is an honor that no other North Dakota family has ever received.
Dickinson's Sgt. 1st Class Rick Haugen and family, which includes wife Tess and their children Courtney, 13, Dane, 10 and Trey, 7, participate in numerous community and National Guard activities.
Families who make contributions within Guard units, family readiness groups and their community are nominated for the award. The Haugens were selected from about 50 families.
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Tess is the leader of the Family Readiness Group and organizes activities for soldiers, spouses and children and the boys help her with that.
Courtney gets together with other children who have parents in the National Guard and is part of the Youth Executive Council.
Rick volunteers as a suicide intervention officer, casualty notification officer, an equal opportunity representative and at local elementary schools.
This exciting news of a local family being singled out for its dedication to community makes it worth looking at what men and women in uniform do and what they deserve.
Sticking together as a family during tough times and helping others in similar situations can't be an easy task.
Our community is honored that the Haugen family has decided to call Dickinson home.
Not only do families of those in the services need to support each other, the entire community can do its part to support them. Letting them know they are appreciated is a good place to start.
Unless you walk in their shoes, you don't know what it is like. Those in the military spend so much of their lives taking care of our nation and others. They deserve to be taken care of when they are in need.
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Rick has been in the Guard for nearly 21 years and says the family is honored to be honored.
They will be recognized at a National Volunteer Conference in New Orleans in August.
"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."
Rick, Tess, Courtney, Dane and Trey, it means a lot to us, too.
Thank you.
-- The Dickinson Press Editorial Board meets weekly to discuss issues of importance to the community.
