Governor and First Lady Honor Military Spouses with New Service Ribbon

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen and First Lady Suzanne honored five spouses of recently retired Nebraska National Guard soldiers and airmen yesterday during a ceremony at the Governor’s Residence. Each spouse was presented with the state’s new Nebraska National Guard Military Spouse Service Ribbon.

“I just want to simply say on behalf of all the people in Nebraska, thank you very, very much,” said Gov. Pillen. “It takes an extraordinary family to support the spouse that loves this place and is committed to do everything they can. We’re just incredibly grateful.”

As commander-in-chief, the Governor talked about the opportunity to engage with members of the Nebraska Army and Air National Guard -- public servants he described as  “second to none.”

“It can’t happen without the other half being 100 percent committed, 100 percent on the team,” added Gov. Pillen, who signed a proclamation marking Oct. 27 as Military Spouse Appreciation Day.  That document also calls for the permanent creation and presentation of the Nebraska National Guard Military Spouse Service Ribbon as an official state decoration.

The ribbon, which is now included in the Guard’s state-level awards program, was authorized by Maj. Gen. Craig Strong, Nebraska’s adjutant general. It is to be presented to the spouse of a Guard service member in recognition of their “profound and meritorious service” on the occasion of their service member’s retirement.

The 1 3/8th inch ribbon, consisting of multiple gold, white, blue and red stripes, is designed to be worn on the lapel of the spouse during formal occasions. Eligibility for the new ribbon is retroactive to Guard spouses whose service member retired after May 8, 2026.

The initiative for creating the ribbon was jointly spearheaded by senior enlisted leaders of the Nebraska National Guard – Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Krecklow (Army) and Command Chief Master Sgt. Scott Tontegode (Air). It’s believed that Nebraska is the first state to have such a recognition.

“Throughout the history of this great state, when emergencies and disasters have happened, our Nebraska National Guard soldiers and airmen have been ready to shoulder whatever burden they have been given to help their communities, their state and their nation,” said Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly. “But, along with our state’s soldiers and airmen, our National Guard spouses also made that commitment by shouldering enormous burdens, making numerous sacrifices as their loved ones continued to serve.”

First Lady Suzanne Pillen echoed those thoughts, adding that the new ribbon helps recognize the countless sacrifices that Guard spouses make in support of their soldiers and airmen.

“When a Guard member is called, it is the spouse who is called upon to hold the family together. That person ensures that home life continues, taking children to school, maintaining their own job, paying the bills, fixing the meals and, in some cases handling critical issues while their military member is away,” said the First Lady. “It is a tremendous responsibility. Deployments can last months, and sometimes much longer. Our spouses serve just as assuredly as those who wear the uniform. They represent a partnership in service to our state.”

“Anyone who has worn the uniform of the Nebraska National Guard knows an undeniable truth: the soul of our formation does not reside in our armories, our readiness centers, our aircraft or our weapons systems. It resides around the kitchen tables of Nebraska, in the hearts of the spouses who stand watch at home while our soldiers and airmen stand watch across the globe,” added Maj. Gen. Strong. “In military doctrine, we speak often of “force multipliers’ -- assets that dramatically increase the combat effectiveness of a force. Make no mistake, our military spouses are the ultimate force multipliers of the Nebraska National Guard."

The first recipients of the new Nebraska National Guard Military Spouse Service Ribbon are:
Angie Ropers, wife of retired Army Brig. Gen. Gary Ropers
Jeanne Varejcka, wife of retired Army Col. Shane Varecjka
Stacie Koehler, wife of retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Curtis Koehler
Shellie Mueller, wife of retired Air Force Col. Wade Mueller
Michelle Haugland, wife of retired Air Force Master Sgt. Tyler Haugland