Photo by Jess McCaslin
    Three young men in different stages of their military careers visited with people about their experiences during a recruiting event Monday in Broken Bow. On hand, from left, were PVT Braxton Kociemba, PVT Casey Edelman and PFC Matt Buhlmann. 

By Michelle Zlomke, Chief Managing Editor

     New National Guard recruits and potential recruits learned a little more about the enlisted experience Jan. 19 in Broken Bow. Local recruiter, SGT Tim McCaslin, said more than 30 people attended the event last Monday night, part of a state-wide recruiting effort.

Here are some of the story lines we are working on for this week's Custer County Chief: 

    • First hand account of inauguration of President Obama by two area young people.

    * Comstock concert promoter sentenced in district court.

    • Long-time LLNRD employee gets friendly send off.

    • PLUS - A complete run down of area high school sports. 

“We’ve done this in North Platte and we’ve done this in Kearney and had a good response there, so we thought we’d try it here,” McCaslin said.
    “It went well and I’d say it will probably become an annual thing.”
    The event provides information that a recruiter can’t convey as well sitting across a desk from a potential recruit.

“This gives those interested in the military a chance to talk to people in different stages of the military,” McCaslin said.
    “When you talk to people on on one, you really get a better sense of what the Guard is about.”
    The family members of potential recruits learned more about what it’s like to support National Guard troops.
    “For me, the some of the proudest moments as a mother are when I’m walking down the street and someone stops me to shake my hand and say, ‘thank you for your son’s service,” Cindy Wardyn said.
    Wardyn’s son, PFC Brad Wardyn is one of four 2007 Broken Bow High School graduates who enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard during their junior year.
    McCaslin said family involvement is an important part of recruiting and the decision to join the military.
    “Family support is so important,” McCaslin said.
    McCaslin said he was pleased with the turnout at the event and would like to see even more people involved next year.
    For more information about Nebraska National Guard, contact SGT McCaslin at the National Guard Armory in Broken Bow, or by calling 308-870-4365.