GUARD'S PENDERGRASS FOCUSES ON FAMILIES

The new adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, Maj. Gen. Raymond Pendergrass, says he wants to be sure the importance of spouses and children are not overlooked as a key to the organization's success.

"If it wasn't for spouses and kids willing to make sacrifices, there wouldn't be a Guard," said Pendergrass during a break at the annual meeting of the Missouri National Guard Association held in Cape Girardeau this weekend. "Our spouses deserve high marks."

Asked what the crowd numbered for the weekend convention, Pendergrass said about 850, including spouses. "I just don't want to distinguish between spouses and members because they are all part of the Guard."

While the Guard association was having its business meeting in the lower level of the Holiday Inn convention Center Saturday morning, the auxiliary was meeting upstairs.

The new adjutant general's own wife of 41 years, Sonia, has found herself in a leadership role of the auxiliary because of her husband's elevation to the top position in the Missouri National Guard by Gov. Mel Carnahan.

Pendergrass had been retired from the Guard for several years when he was named adjutant general.

Likewise, the wife of Col. John Havens of St. James was brought back to the forefront of auxiliary activities when Pendergrass convinced him to end a two-year retirement and accept the post of assistant adjutant for the Army National Guard.

Pendergrass said the importance of family members to the success of the National Guard is something he wants to re-emphasize. "It has always been there, but the new command helps bring it to the forefront," he observed.

Pendergrass took over as adjutant general in March, replacing Maj. Gen. Charles Kiefner, who held the position for nearly 20 years. Pendergrass said he worked with Kiefner over the years and that their leadership styles are similar.

"The military doesn't change a great deal," said Pendergrass. "We have a mission and everyone knows what that mission is."

He said that the federal mission of the Guard is still the "bottom line," but he hopes to increase the focus on the Guard's state role during his tenure.

Pendergrass also said he has a high regard for Havens, who he has worked with for 30 years. Because of his background in business and the military, he said, "It was just a natural to ask him to come back. I asked John to come back because of his vast experience and know-how."

Efforts to downsize the National Guard will require a lot of their attention. Pendergrass pledged they would deal with downsizing efforts "as realistically and humanistically as possible."

He said: "We have to slow it down as much as possible, but also do not want to deter from it. History has shown us we need a ready Guard and reserve to keep us strong.... We need to keep the morale of these troops up and insure they are well trained."

Next week, Pendergrass and Havens will be going to Washington, D.C., to discuss proposed downsizing. At this point they have few specifics on what is being planned, but said they are pleased that recent downsizing estimates have been to cut the Guard size nationally to about 420,000 troops rather than the 338,000 originally proposed.

In Missouri there are about 13,000 Air and Army National Guard troops.

"With the upcoming reorganization, we are doing everything possible to maintain a presence in each community," said Havens. "That may not be possible, but we will try to do it."