[caption id="attachment_723" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Gov. Steve Beshear speaks of his undying admiration for the tireless service of the Kentucky National Guard during his term as the state's Commander in Chief, Feb. 12. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Hiler, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)"]
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 12, 2010) - The officer corps of the Kentucky National Guard came together to hear from the senior leadership of the state in a professional development program, Feb. 12.
The Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, spoke about the challenges facing today's Kentucky Guard as well the opportunities for the leadership moving into the future.
Gov. Steve Beshear -- Commander in Chief of the Kentucky National Guard -- spoke during an afternoon address to the assembled officers about his profound gratitude for the dedicated service of the troops over the past eighteen months.
"The past eighteen months have seen an unprecedented level of emergency assistance rendered by the Kentucky National Guard to the Commonwealth," Beshear said. "I am extremely blessed to have such a dedicated group of Soldiers and Airmen as the Kentucky National Guard."
Following his afternoon address, Gov. Beshear awarded the Kentucky Medal for Valor to 2nd Lt. John L. McMahan. McMahan was recognized for his actions on Jan. 27, 2010 when he rendered aid to a woman trapped in an overturned vehicle in Lotts Creek in Perry County. McMahan stood in freezing water for more than half an hour until firefighters arrived to extricate her from her automobile. He then assisted in bringing her to safety.
