American Legion Oro Valley Post 132 and Auxiliary Oro Valley Unit 132 have received the 2013 Family Program Award from the U. S. National Guard for their support of Guard members and families as well as their overall support of the military and their extensive veterans’ assistance programs. The post and Auxiliary unit were selected from nominations throughout the United States. It is the first time a community partner from Arizona has received this prestigious award.

The award was presented by Arizona National Guard Chief of Staff, Col. Len Dyer, to Post Commander Ed Davis and Auxiliary Unit President Onita Davis on Dec. 8 at a Freedom Salute Ceremony in Marana, Ariz., for members of two Apache Helicopter companies recently returned from Afghanistan. The post and unit had provided monthly care packages to the deployed soldiers and care and assistance to the families left behind.

The award nomination was made by the Arizona Army National Guard 1st of the 285 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion headquartered at the Pinal Air Park in Marana, Ariz. It recognized the outstanding support provided by the post and unit to the battalion’s soldiers and families. “The post and unit members became part of our family,” said LTC Todd Rea, commander of the 1st of the 285th ARB.

The Guard’s national award follows an award from the state of Arizona National Guard last year as the 2012 “Outstanding Community Partner of the Year.” That also was given to both the Oro Valley Post 132 and Auxiliary Unit 132 with Commander Ed Davis and President Onita Davis (a husband and wife team) accepting the award.

For the most recent award, “The Family Program Community Purple Award,” the post and Auxiliary were credited with contributing more than $13,000 and over 1,600 volunteer hours in support of the Guard men and women and their families. The Family Program Community Purple Award is the highest community partner recognition of excellence award issued by the National Guard. The community group or organization selected for the annual award best exemplifies the true meaning of the Guard’s national Family Program Initiative by working with and supporting Guard members and their families.