U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Steven Cray, adjutant general,

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Steven Cray, adjutant general, Vermont National Guard, and Command Sgt. Maj. Toby Quick, state command Sgt. Maj., Vermont National Guard award Sgt. Kyla Ward, aircraft mechanic, Detachment 1, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, Garrison Support Command, Vermont Army National Guard, an Army Commendation Medal after winning the Vermont Best Warrior Competition, Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vt., Sept. 10, 2017. Ward won the non-commissioned officer category of the Vermont competition and will compete at the Best Warrior Region 1 competition. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Rivard)