Partnership forged between Nebraska National Guard and City of Beatrice

BEATRICE – The Nebraska Army and Air National Guard have formalized an agreement with the City of Beatrice, in a partnership effort recognizing the ties citizen soldiers have with their communities.

A formal signing ceremony was held outside the Gage County Historical Museum, where a special exhibit recognizes the long military history of Company C, 134th infantry.  

Nebraska Adjutant General Craig Strong and others of the Nebraska Military Department spent Thursday meeting with local veterans, businesses and government leaders.

"It's been a fantastic day, walking to different businesses throughout the day, to be at your Veterans Club, to spending time with the Chief of Police...to your Fire Department. This is what America is all about, and the National Guard is proud we have a Readiness Center here, in our Armory, in the City of Beatrice...because the roots of military commitment run deep in Beatrice...and the roots to the National Guard run even deeper."

With an honor guard nearby and flanked by members of the American Legion Riders, Adjutant General Strong and Beatrice Mayor Bob Morgan formally signed the cooperative agreement between the Nebraska Military and the city…..becoming the second community to participate in the partnership.
Mayor Morgan says the partnership coincides with his goal to emphasize the long-range viability of the community.

"I think it does say that we still care about community...and we care about protecting the nation with the great men and women that have served, will serve, and are serving. On behalf of the city, thank you very much for choosing us."

The Beatrice area guard members history dates back decades, including the battle to liberate St. Lo, France in World War two…where the unit suffered the highest number of casualties of any unit….to many modern-day deployments following the nine-eleven terror attacks in 2001, as soldiers serve in defense of the nation. The military department also serves citizens in times of emergency at home, through the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency.

Leading the formal signing ceremony was Beatrice native, Lieutenant Colonel Ing Maurstad, a local attorney and Judge Advocate serving in the Nebraska Air National Guard. The day-long visit by the Nebraska Army and Air National Guard concluded with an open house at the Guard Readiness Center in west Beatrice.