Air National Guard Salutes Husband and Wife

  • Published
  • By Mrs. Patricia Connors, Civil Engineering
  • 104th Fighter Wing
At a recent State Family Readiness Conference in Southbridge, MA ., which brought together representatives from Massachusetts and the surrounding states, Helen (Lyn) Richards and her husband John Richards were awarded the Air National Guard's "Outstanding Air Readiness and Support Award for the year 2009" for the state of Massachusetts. Lyn was also awarded "The President's Volunteer Service Award" for over 100 volunteer's hours in 2009.

Lyn and John spend their lives putting service above self. They have spent numerous hours dedicating their time to being family readiness volunteers during times of many training deployments.

Lyn accepted the position of Secretary to the 104th Family Readiness Group in 2008. This key position allowed her to blend the wing's military needs with volunteer capabilities. Both John and Lyn have devoted their times working at Easter egg hunts, pasta diners, annual Children's Christmas party which over 250 children attend and other family events to names a few.

Their commitment to an ongoing family readiness program has also resulted in many successful fund raising events. Hundreds of the 104th members and their families have directly benefited from all that Lyn and John Richards have contributed as family readiness volunteers. John and Lyn have two children; John - Equine Facilities Director at Johnson & Wales University and TSgt Aaron Richards a Crew Chief at the 104th Fighter Wing.