The Georgia National Guard recognized Ruth Lee of Effingham County for her efforts with the family readiness group of Alpha Battery, 1/118 Field Artillery Battalion.

In citing Lee for her work with the Springfield-based unit, the National Guard noted Lee “is an outstanding supporter of service men and women in Effingham County” and was instrumental in organizing the Effingham County Veterans Park.

“Each year, she plays a vital role in the conduct of ceremonies honoring veterans both living and deceased,” the citation said. “Her efforts on Memorial and Veterans days are Herculean.”

The National Guard also recognized Lee for putting together the Christmas luncheon for the unit’s family day.

“Further on in the mobilization cycle, almost single-handedly, (Lee) put together a send-off ceremony that resembled the ticker-tape parades of yesteryear,” the citation said. “As the unit marched through the communities of Springfield and Rincon, escorted by law enforcement officials, school bands played, people lined the streets to get a glimpse of their heroes and loved ones. Each community proclaimed the day for Alpha Battery and each showered the unit with prayers of love, strength, courage to face adversity and wisdom to get back home.”

Alpha Battery soldiers and family members were treated to another luncheon following the procession that Lee spearheaded, and she also was recognized for organizing the Memorial Day festivities that included honoring Alpha Battery and the 30th Military Police Company, which mobilized out of the Springfield Armory in World War II. She also started a phone card drive to allow Alpha Battery soldiers deployed to Afghanistan to call their loved ones during the holidays.

“Without the efforts of Mrs. Lee, her compassion to serve and her devotion to service members, the days and weeks leading up to the unit’s send-off would have added to the uncertainty and challenges facing the soldiers and their families,” the citation read.

Said Lee: “It was certainly a privilege for me to be recognized and honored by the National Guard, Family Readiness Conference, I must hasten to say that the things I was recognized for were community supported and therefore I feel that I share this award with the community and particularly those who provided ready hands to make these events happen. I am proud that Effingham County is always ready to support our modern day minutemen as they are called to serve us in our nation's battle against terrorism.”