SANDSTON, Va. –
The Virginia Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion hosted its second annual Civic Leader Appreciation Day June 6, 2025, at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Sandston, Virginia. Approximately 100 teachers, school administrators, and support staff attended the event, where they met senior leaders of the Virginia National Guard, learned information about the organization and opportunities available to their students, and had the opportunity to experience a flight in a Black Hawk helicopter, courtesy of the 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Battalion.
“Thank you all for being here today,” said Brig. Gen. Charles Martin, commander of the Virginia Army National Guard. “It means a lot for you to be out here. We hope you enjoy it and take a lot of photos and when you go back, tell some stories about what you saw.”
“Congratulations on completing another school year and dealing with our children,” Lt. Col. Eric Johnson, battalion commander of the Virginia Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion, said to the laughing crowd. “You all are the connective tissue for us and how we execute our mission. We are involved in your schools. So please continue to lean on recruiting to help enhance your educational experiences with the people you teach. We love these schools and we love what you do.”
The goal of the event was to express gratitude to Virginia’s educators and civic leaders for their dedication and contributions to the youth of the state, while also providing them a firsthand look at what service in the National Guard entails.
Brig. Gen. Todd Hubbard, the Virginia National Guard’s Director of the Joint Staff, welcomed the educators on behalf of Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia. Hubbard explained that Ring was in Bedford, Virginia, for ceremonies marking the 81st anniversary of D-Day.
“Those ceremonies honor all the sacrifices the 29th Infantry Division made in World War II,” he explained. “We always remember that and we’re very proud of that history.”
He explained that Virginia National Guard history includes numerous deployments to the Middle East, Africa and Europe over the last 20 years.
“The Virginia Guard is actively involved around the world,” Hubbard explained. “We have a partnership with Tajikistan and we just signed a partnership with Finland. There are a lot of opportunities for our Soldiers and Airmen to get out and interface with those international partners.
“A lot of times people don’t understand that about the Guard,” he said. “There are a lot of opportunities, not only to make some extra money and have a fun job, but also to be able to travel around the world.”
Martin recalled the impact teachers had on his childhood and, ultimately, on his career.
“There were teachers that saw something in me I didn’t see in myself,” he explained. “They helped me, along with my parents and family, to provide guidance and direction, that led me to where I am today.”
Martin mentioned his history, government and math teachers by name and how they helped guide him along the way.
“I know teachers helped guide me and make my selection into the service,” he explained. “You do that same thing for students today. There are a lot of opportunities out there. You may be that connection to help get people on the right track.”
Martin also mentioned his wife is a schoolteacher so he has seen up close the impact teachers can have.
“You do a lot during the year to help develop and really raise a lot of these kids,” he said. “You see things a lot of them do see in themselves. Thank you for what you do every day and thank you for taking the time today to support us like you do.”
Hubbard is also married to a teacher.
“So I have a little bit of insight into those long hours and those late nights,” he said. “Having to help grade papers when I was trying to watch tv. But what you do does make an impact.”
Hubbard recalled instances where his wife has had students reach out years later.
“They wanted to thank for what she did all those years ago,” he said. “You are making a difference, and we thank you for that.”
Hubbard recognized and presented a coin to Dean Schwartz, one of the attendees. Schwartz, a former Virginia Army National Guard Soldier, lost part of his leg when his vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade in Iraq in 2004. He currently serves as a Business and Information Technology Teacher with Prince Edward County Public Schools.
Following remarks from Martin, Hubbard and Johnson, educators enjoyed lunch, mingled, and then boarded the Black Hawks and took to the skies around Richmond.