An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

NEWS | Oct. 26, 2022

Alaska National Guard pararescueman shares story for National Disability Employment Awareness Month

By Victoria Granado , Alaska National Guard Public Affairs

Following a federal declaration in 1988, October became the official observation month for disability employment awareness. The Alaska National Guard recognizes the contributions of its members with disabilities all year around; however, this month reaffirms the commitment to provide equal opportunities for all.
 
This year’s awareness theme is “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.” The key speaker for this month’s observation luncheon was Senior Master Sgt. Jeremy Maddamma, a pararescueman with the Alaska Air National Guard’s 212th Rescue Squadron.
 
In 2012, Maddamma received an injury that shattered the bones in his lower left leg. He spent years in and out of a hospital, undergoing multiple surgeries and a demanding physical therapy regimen in an attempt to regain the full use of his leg. Eventually, after his recovery fell short of his target goal, Maddamma chose to have his injured leg surgically amputated, enabling his return to military service.
 
It’s been ten years, and Maddamma’s story has been shared many times, but during this month’s observance Maddamma told his own story, complete with slides, taking his listeners from day one to his life now, a “fit-for-duty” amputee serving in the Alaska Air National Guard.
 
“The first thing that I want people know is that having a traumatic injury does not mean you have to get out of the military,” Maddamma said to his audience of Guardsmen and civilians, who asked questions about his own experience and what advice he would give someone in a similar situation.  
 
Maddamma gave a timeline of his journey, clicking through early photos that ranged from showing his leg in stitches after an operation, to photos of him with his leg in a brace and his family sporting Halloween costumes. As Maddamma continued with the slideshow, the subjects in his photos changed. The seasons passed, and babies grew to be children. There were fewer post-surgery snapshots and more photos of him skiing snowy slopes with fellow amputees.
 
Gone were images of Maddamma in a hospital. Instead the audience watched a series of photos showing him training for return to duty and walking the Bataan Memorial Death March in White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
 
Throughout his presentation, Maddamma emphasized the importance of his support system – his family, friends and the military community that was there for him from the beginning.  
 
“I want take this opportunity to not just talk about what happened to my leg, but also talk about all the support I received and the people who stood by me through the whole thing,” he said.
 
When asked about how NDEAM unites the community, Maddamma spoke about how people can be an “iceberg” and what a person knows about their own coworkers they see every day is just the tip of their life experience.   
 
“These awareness months bring people together, opens doors, and draw attention to things,” said Maddamma.
 
According to Janie Ramos, AKNG’s equal employment manager and diversity initiatives coordinator, opening doors to discuss certain topics is one objective of the awareness months.
 
During the month and every day after, Guardsmen can recognize the contributions of men and women with disabilities and how they strengthen the nation, said Ramos.
 
“The special observances that are held throughout the year are important to the Guard,” Ramos said. “By taking the time and being intentional about disability employment awareness, we can take what we learn outside of a single month and integrate it into our every-day thought process.”
 
As the state equal employment manager, Ramos has facilitated the monthly observances for the last five years. When talking about this month, however, Ramos says she has a connection that makes October’s observances special for her.
 
“My older sister is an individual with a disability,” she said. “She has Down syndrome and she has never let that stand in her way. She is incredibly strong and an absolutely wonderful person.”
 
Ramos understands the significance of sharing real stories and connecting members of the community being recognized. When considering her own personal connection with NDEAM, Ramos says it is imperative to promote and ensure equal opportunity for all individuals.
Alaska Military Youth Academy honored with Gold Pan Award
November 22, 2023
The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce hosted the 66th Annual Gold Pan Awards on Nov. 17, 2023, at the Dena'ina Center in Anchorage.

Alaska National Guard's Operation Santa Claus makes a lifesaving detour
November 16, 2023
From the left, Holly Demert and Clifton Dalton, both flight paramedics with LifeMed, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Bryan Kruse, Bethel Army Aviation Operating Facility commander, move a critically ill patient from an AKARNG UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter to an ambulance during a medical evacuation from Napaskiak to Bethel, Nov. 15, 2023

Cadets soar in Civil Air Patrol search and rescue exercise
November 13, 2023
Civil Air Patrol Lt. Col. Stephen Sammons, left, Alaska Wing emergency services officer, instructs CAP cadets from the Southcentral Region where to find an Emergency Locator Transmitter onboard a Cessna 172 aircraft during a three-day training event Nov. 4, 2023, at the Birchwood Airport in Chugiak, Alaska.

A new set of cross pistols: AKARNG "Wolf Gang" Military Police Company deactivates, ushering in new detachment
November 3, 2023
Alaska Army National Guard Capt. Michael Thrall, left, outgoing commander, and 1st Sgt. Bethany Amarone, outgoing noncommissioned officer in charge, both assigned to the 297th Military Police Company, retire the colors of the unit’s flag as part of a deactivation ceremony for the company at the Alcantra Armory in Wasilla, Alaska, Nov. 2, 2023.

Alaska Army National Guard’s Bison Company set to deploy to Middle East
September 30, 2023
Alaska Army National Guard 1st Sgt. Oliver Meza, Bravo Company first sergeant, shows off his unit’s patch during a deployment ceremony where family members, friends, and fellow Guardsmen came together to pay tribute to Soldiers of B Co., 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, at the Alaska National Guard Armory on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Sept. 29, 2023.

910th Engineer Support Company constructs their skills
August 21, 2023
Alaska Army National Guard Sgt. David Kocur, a horizontal construction engineer assigned to the 910th Engineer Support Company, operates a grader to create a broad flat foundation on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 8, 2023.

176th Wing firefighters protect Nenana from wildfires
August 21, 2023
176th Wing firefighters protect Nenana from wildfires

Alaska Army National Guard rescues two hunters after plane crashes near Merrill Pass
August 18, 2023
HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter with the Alaska Army National Guard Golf Company, 2-211th, General Support Aviation Battalion

Navy celebrates Sol Atkinson for legacy of service to country, Alaskan veterans, community
August 10, 2023
Retired U.S. Navy Chief Warrant Officer 4 Solomon Atkinson, center, is greeted by Verdie Bowen, right, the director of the Alaska Office of Veterans Affairs, and escorted by son-in-law Franklin Hayward before receiving the Alaska Governor’s Veteran Advocacy Award during a ceremony in Metlakatla, Alaska, Dec. 10, 2018.

207th Engineer Utilities Detachment retires the colors
August 8, 2023
Alaska Army National Guardsmen with the 207th Engineer Utilities Detachment salute as the national anthem plays during the unit’s deactivation ceremony at the Camp Carroll flagpole on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 5, 2023.