State Senator Steve Goss, representing the NC 45th District (Alexander, Ashe, Watauga and Wilkes Counties) has been awarded the Charles Dick Medal of Merit from the National Guard Association. Presented by Major General William E. Ingram Jr., Adjutant General of the North Carolina Army National Guard, the award was established in 1988 and is designed to recognize contributions to the National Guard by elected officials at the state and national levels.
The medal is named in honor of Major General Charles Dick, President of the National Guard Association of the United States from 1902 to 1909, a major general in the Ohio National Guard, a Congressman and later a Senator. Dick was responsible for the passage of the Dick Acts of 1903 and 1908 that established the foundation of the modern National Guard.
State legislators, members of the United States Congress or any governor are eligible for consideration for the award. To be considered for the award an individual must have distinguished himself or herself over an extended period of time in support of the National Guard as a state or national elected official. During his service in the North Carolina Senate, Goss has been a major supporter of expansion for family assistance centers that provide aid to the dependents and family members of North Carolina service men and women across the state.
Goss said, “I am surprised and greatly honored by this recognition from the National Guard. I have come to have the greatest respect for the sacrifices members of the Guard and their families are making. I am deeply humbled by this award.”
Past recipients have included NC Gov. James B. Hunt, Jr.,
U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre, U.S. Rep. David Price, U.S. Rep. Melvin L. Watt, Gov. Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania, Gov. Bill Owens of Colorado, Senator Lindsey O. Graham of South Carolina, Senator Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia and Senator Bob Graham of Florida.