NEWS RELEASE

RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD
Joint Force Headquarters
645 New London Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920

December 17, 2008

Contact: Lt Col Denis J. Riel
Office Phone: (401) 275-4193
Cell Phone: (401) 641-1730
denis.riel@us.army.mil
Release #121708-01

RING Airshow and Open House wins award

The Airshow and Open House received the award for being the top community service Airshow in North America

CRANSTON, RI - Major General (MG) Robert T. Bray, The Adjutant General of Rhode Island and Commanding General of the Rhode Island National Guard, announced that on Thursday, December 11, 2008, the Rhode Island National Guard Open House and Airshow was honored as the top Community service Airshow in North America.

The Dick Schram Memorial Community relations award was presented in front of over 1,000 military personnel and civilians gathered at the 42nd International Council of Airshows Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The award is presented each year to the military base which, in planning and implementing its airshow, not only exhibits traditional community relations as it considers the needs of its civilian neighbors, but sets new standards of excellence in this area by including its community in the planning, execution and rewards of the event.

Since its inception in 1991, the National Guard Open House and Airshow has been totally committed to the community. The National Guard Association of Rhode Island, through proceeds from the event, has donated in excess of $1.2 million to Hasbro Children’s Hospital and over $200,000 to other community charities such as Ronald McDonald House, Rhode Island Special Olympics, and the Soldier’s and Airman’s Relief Fund.

The show has become an Ocean State tradition and is held each year at the end of June. The next show will be held on June 27 and 28, 2009 at the Quonset State Airport and will feature both the US Navy Blue Angels and the Canadian jet demonstration team, the Snowbirds.