Monday, September 30, 2013, Eagle River, Alaska – Representative Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River, has recently received awards from two different national military organizations in recognition of his support for Alaska's veterans, National Guardsmen and active-duty military personnel.

“It is a privilege to be able to advocate on behalf of those Alaskans who have served, or are still serving, our nation in uniform,” Saddler said. “I am humbled that our efforts in the Alaska Legislature to support our military are winning recognition at the national level, and will continue working hard to demonstrate my gratitude for their service.”

On Monday, Saddler received the “Patrick Henry Award” from the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) at its annual conference. The award is designed “to provide recognition to local officials and civic leaders in a position of great responsibility who distinguished themselves with outstanding and exceptional service to the Armed Forces of the United States, the National Guard or NGAUS,” according to the award criteria.

Established in 1878, NGAUS works to advocate for the 470,000-plus members of the Guard, to maintain the Guard’s readiness and effectiveness, and and to educate the public about the Guard’s role and history in the nation’s armed forces.

Saddler was earlier recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) for his leadership and assistance to active duty members, their families and veterans in his district and throughout the country. A member of NCSL’s Executive Committee Task Force on Military and Veterans Affairs for three years, Saddler received the award, along with an American flag that was flown over the Pentagon at a task force meeting Aug. 12 in Atlanta

NCSL’s Military and Veterans Affairs task force includes state legislators from 25 states who actively introduce and support legislation to support the military, whose districts or states host military facilities, and who may be reservists, veterans or National Guardsmen, and who were appointed by their home state legislative leadership.

Saddler’s legislative district includes Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, and has the highest percentage of veterans in the state. He is in his second term as co-chairman of the Joint Armed Services Committee, and has served as a member and co-chair of the House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.

Since taking office in 2011, Saddler has sponsored and co-sponsored numerous bills and resolutions to help and honor military personnel. They include laws creating a veterans driver’s license; enabling veterans to obtain vocational or academic credit for military training; waiving commercial drivers license road tests for veterans with recent military driving experience; awarding the Alaska Decoration of Honor to Alaskans killed in combat action; establishing Vietnam Veterans Day; and more.