Master Sergeant (Retired) Frank R. Norwood grew up in Bucksport Maine and graduated from Bucksport High school in 1978. He joined the Maine Army National Guard on January 25th 1979 as a Construction Equipment Mechanic in the 262nd Engineer Battalion. He spent two years in the National Guard before joining the Regular Army on July 28th 1981. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina with Company C, 548th Engineer Battalion where he also worked as a Construction Equipment Mechanic. While assigned to the 548th Engineer Battalion he deployed with an Engineer Task Force to Grenada, West Indies as part of Operation Urgent Fury. He received his ?Combat Patch? and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for the Grenada Operations. Master Sergeant Norwood served his tour and was honorably discharged from the Regular Army in 1985 and immediately rejoined the 262nd Engineer Battalion in the Maine Army National Guard. He was hired in the Active Guard & Reserve program in 1986 as a Personnel Actions Center Clerk for the 262nd Engineer Battalion.
Master Sergeant Norwood later assignments were with the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, State Area Command as a Unit Clerk, Administrative Noncommissioned Officer, Administrative Sergeant, State Readiness Noncommissioned Officer, Enlisted Branch Manager and his final assignment as the Administrative Branch Manager under the Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, Joint Force Headquarters.
During his tenure with the Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel the Maine Army National Guard deployed over 1230 Soldiers in support of our nation?s War on Terrorism. This was the largest deployment of Maine Army National Guard since World War II. He was responsible for the personnel actions which required detailed planning and coordination with Major Subordinate Commands, Directorates and the National Guard Bureau. Additionally, he was responsible for the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System and instrumental in the development of the issuance of the new Common Access Cards to all Soldiers and their families. He assisted other branches of the military being deployed while still supporting the thousands of retirees and their dependents. Such dedication contributed immensely to Maine?s exceptional 99% acceptance rate at mobilization stations such as Fort Drum, Fort Dix, Fort Benning and Fort Bragg.
Master Sergeant Norwood earned statewide respect from military, government and civilian communities for his commitment as the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of the Maine State Select Honor Guard. He was responsible for reviving, training and fighting for the required support to bring the Maine State Select Honor Guard to the most prestigious ceremonial unit in Maine?s History. He instilled the honor and dedication in all its members to become an elite group that was the pride of the Maine Army National Guard adopting the phase ?Perfection is our goal, excellence will be tolerated? as the team motto. In the 10 years of his leadership he was responsible for coordinating over 700 events and personally participated in over 500 events ranging from gubernatorial inaugurations, posting colors at major sporting events with crowds of 35,000 and most important, performing Military Funerals for our fallen comrades. Master Sergeant Norwood devoted thousands of hours of his own personal time in developing such a cohesive team and has been recognized throughout his career by receiving 92 letters of appreciation in his Official Military Personnel File. These letters include 2 from Maine Governors, 17 signed by General Officers, Legislators, Veterans Organizations, Educators, Law Enforcement Agencies, Youth Organizations and grateful citizens.
Master Sergeant Norwood has instructed, assisted and aided fellow services, Veteran Organizations, Law Enforcement Agencies and Scouting groups on Drill & Ceremony, flag etiquette and organizing their own Honor Guards and Funeral Honors Details.
His untiring devotion to instilling patriotism and honor to fellow service members, Veterans and their families exemplifies his service to his state and nation.
His awards include two Meritorious Service Medals, Four Army Commendation Medals, Three Army Achievement Medals, Six Army Good Conduct Medals, The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Grenada), The Humanitarian Service Medal, Two National Defense Service Medals, The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, The Armed Forces Reserve Medal, The Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, The Army Driver and Mechanic Badge, The Maine State Emergency Service Ribbon (Flood of 1987), Maine State Commanders Award, The Maine Adjutant General Award, The Maine Army National Guard Sergeant Major Soldier of the Year Award, Two National Guard Bureau Guardsman Awards, Expert in all assigned weapons.
Master Sergeant Norwood will retire on 31 March 2004 with over twenty-five years of exemplary service to his state and nation and is a true and well known professional.
Master Sergeant (Retired) Norwood started performing Military Funerals in late 2004 shortly after retiring. He was hired on as the State Coordinator for Military Funeral Honors on April 1st 2005.
His job is to inform the public and Veterans of the new entitlement to Military Funeral Honors as well as ensure the Military Funeral Honors are performed to standard. The "Standard" that the Soldiers of the Maine Army National Guard Honor Guard are expected to perform is the same as the standards performed at Fort Myer Virginia...the 3rd US Infantry, "The Old Guard" at Arlington National Cemetery.
Since the program started performing Military Funeral Honors in 2004 we have performed nearly 6000 Military Funeral Honors Ceremonies from Fort Kent to Kittery and eastern Canada. The Soldiers of the Maine Army National Guard Honor Guard are performing the highest per capita number of Military Funerals in the United States. No other state with a similar Veteran population is doing what these Soldiers do. They perform all services for Soldiers killed in action, Soldiers who died on active duty, and all honorably discharged US Army Veterans. They also perform all Merchant Marine service for the state of Maine.
Master Sergeant (Retired) Frank Norwood was recently named "Man of the Year" by the Region 1, Joshua Chamberlain Chapter of the Association of the United States Army for his outstanding work for the Veterans of Maine.