PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota National Guard presented several awards for distinguished service to service members, a family, an employer, and a public servant during its annual Dining Out at the Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center in Pierre.
The annual event brings together National Guard members from across the state for a formal evening to honor the organization’s history and to recognize individual achievements from the past year.
The awards presented include recognition of outstanding volunteerism by a SDNG family, outstanding support from a South Dakota Reserve Component employer, and a public servant for their service and support of the SDNG mission.
The event keynote speakers, Gov. Kristi Noem and Maj. Gen. Jeff Marlette, SDNG Adjutant General, presented the awards.
Recruiting Award
Tech Sgt. Briana Kacmarynski was recognized as a top recruiter for the Air National Guard. Tech Sgt. Kacmarynski was selected as the top non-prior service recruiter in the nation as she had 29 enlistments into the 114th Fighter Wing, South Dakota Air National Guard.
Fred Aaron Excellence Award
Lt. Col Dana Limbo, Construction and Facilities Management Officer, was presented with the Fred Aaron 
Excellence Award. This award was established to recognize the most outstanding facility management team in the nation for 2022. The South Dakota National Guard previously received this award in 2012.
ESGR Pro Patria Award – The Watertown Police Department
The Watertown Police Department is awarded the South Dakota Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Pro Patria Award. The Pro Patria Award is presented annually to one South Dakota employer who provides exceptional support to national defense through leadership practices and personnel policies that support 
employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve.
Sgt. Austin Mattson, who works as a patrol officer, nominated his employer for the award. Austin is currently deployed with the 191st Military Police Company. The staff at the Watertown Police Department recognized that they could do more assist soldiers and their families navigate through the challenges associated with deployments. They implemented processes to ensure the soldier has a smooth transition from a civilian to a military role and back.
The Adjutant General’s Family Award – The Garland/Fennell Family
The Adjutant General’s Family Award recipient is the Garland/Fennell family. The award recognizes family members who support their service members in a truly exemplary manner while managing family, careers, or even hardship, all the while not seeking recognition for their sacrifices.
The Garland/Fennel family’s support to the SDNG Family Readiness Group Program has been a whole- family effort. Dan is a member of the 235th Military Police Company of Rapid City, S.D. His wife, Stef, has been an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Volunteer since 2016 and is currently serving as the ESGR Public Affairs Director. Her volunteer hours serving with ESGR have totaled over 140 hours for 2022 as well as volunteering over 150 hours as the Soldier & Family Readiness Group Volunteer Advisor during her husband’s 2022 deployment with the 235th Military Police Company.
Jazmine serves as a Youth Council volunteer for the Child & Youth Program, volunteering 95 hours of her time in 2022. Dan has been in the South Dakota National Guard since 2008 and has served as the unit’s Master Resiliency Trainer and as a Family Readiness Liaison while deployed. He has volunteered 60 hours in 2022 for the Soldier & Family Readiness Group.
The Williamson Militiaman Award – Chief Warrant Officer 5 (Ret) Darla Crown
The Williamson Militiaman Award recipient is Chief Warrant Officer 5 (Ret) Darla Crown of Rapid City,S.D. The Williamson Militiaman Award, established in 1987 by Maj. Gen. Ronald F. Williamson, recognizes an individual who exemplifies the spirit of the citizen-Soldier or Airman as shown by their community leadership, their support of the National Guard and the defense of the country.
Crown began her military service in 1973 with a three-year active-duty tour in the US Army and in 1976, she joined the National Guard. She has served in various assignments throughout her 42-year career and eventually became the first female to attain the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 5 in 2002. When her National Guard career drew near the end, she was recruited into the Veterans Protocol Program, now known as the Veterans Court Program. This program helps Veterans in crisis by providing them a mentor while in the program. In addition to the Veterans Court program, she also volunteers on two different board of directors and the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. “Serving my community is an honor. It gives me the opportunity to work with some amazing people,” said Crown.
