Red Hat Militia wins national recognition

  • Published
  • By Nicole L. Wajer
  • 114th Fighter Wing
NEW ORLEANS --  The Red Hat Ladies Militia of South Dakota have sent over 3,000 boxes and 8,000 letters and cards to military members. Their goal is to remain active as long as there are South Dakota military members serving overseas. They also help families and veterans as well.

For their efforts, they were recently recognized during the National Family Programs workshop in New Orleans with the Family Program Community Purple award. The Purple award is presented to a community group or organization that best exemplifies the true meaning of the purple concept within the Joint Family Program, by working with both Air and Army Guard
families, units, service members and activities.

No service member, family, or veteran is forgotten, no project is too large. These ladies have an unending amount of energy, dedication, and commitment to military members and their families. Their good works have improved the lives of many in service to our country and made that service a bit more bearable. Their efforts have touched so many from a family needing groceries for a holiday meal to a child hugging a bear to help ease the separation from their parent, or a veteran who needed that gift of hope - a hand up, not a hand out. It is their contribution to the war effort, a labor of love and dedication.

This group started with six members back in 2003 and the three remaining members hold steadfast to their mission--serving as an example that you do not have to be
a large group to make a difference in the lives of others.