Unit honored for food service

Dick Benoit

Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004 | 8:49 a.m.

After sweeping the state and regional competitions, the Nevada Army National Guard's 440th Cable and Wire Co. placed second out of more than 900 units participating in the Philip A. Connelly Army Food Service competition.

With the 321st Signal Co.'s second place finish in 2001, the Henderson-based 440th Cable and Wire Co.'s result marks the second time in three years that a Nevada Army Guard unit took the runner-up position in the contest.

"To place second out of the hundreds of field dining facilities across the nation is remarkable," Command Sgt. Maj. Alan Callanan of the 440th's battalion headquarters said. "I want to give my congratulations to all of the soldiers who participated in the competition."

The Connelly program was established in 1968 to recognize excellence in Army food service. During the contest, food service soldiers served a meal in a field environment that was evaluated by two military and one civilian judge. The award is named after the late Philip Connelly, the former president of competition co-sponsor International Food Service Executives Association.

The supervisor of the food service soldiers in the 440th Cable and Wire Co. during the contest was Sgt. 1st Class Annette Krogman of Las Vegas. Also recognized by the Connelly evaluation team for her effort was Spc. Tanya Trone of Pahrump.

Loans for reservists

Overseas deployments can be tough on families. Naturally, the initial focus falls upon the emotional cost of separation. But for guardsmen and reservists who own small businesses, the cost involved in a deployment takes on a whole new meaning.

For the past two years the U.S. Small Business Administration's Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan program has provided loans to eligible small businesses to cover operating costs that cannot be met after a key employee is called to active duty.

Often the "key employee" is the business owner, whose family depends on the income generated from the company.

When Rick Parsons, who is assigned to the 401st Civil Affairs Battalion of Churchville, N.Y., deployed last year to Afghanistan, his veterinary practice took a major hit. Parsons and his wife, Marla, ran the hospital, with Rick Parsons serving as its only veterinarian responsible for performing all surgeries, exams and emergency treatments.

"People were hesitant to work as the sole vet in a small practice," Marla Parsons said. Finding a full-time vet was next to impossible. As a result, the Parsons hired part-time veterinarians, but the business ultimately suffered. When Rick Parsons realized he could be on active duty for more than a year, he applied for assistance through the loan program.

"Many small businesses have had to cope with the loss of know-how and have been hurt financially by the absence of a key employee during the recent call-ups," Hector V. Barreto, Small Business Administration administrator, said. "This loan program has helped many businesses survive, and the SBA will continue to support these dedicated men and women who have made such a great sacrifice in the course of serving their country."

Small-business owners may apply for loans of up to $1.5 million if they have been financially affected by the loss of an essential employee. These working-capital loans may be used to pay operating expenses that otherwise could have been covered if the reservist or guardsman hadn't been called to active duty. The loans cannot be used to refinance debt or expand the business, and the Small Business Administration determines the amount of economic injury.

In brief