U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines recognized Major Daniela Ragen, U.S. Army National Guard, of Broadwater County for her service to the State of Montana and our nation.
Through his “Montanan of the Month” initiative, each month Daines will highlight a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress.
Daines welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan of the Month” program by calling Daines’ office at 202-224-2651 or by filling out the contact form on Daines’ website: HERE.
The following is a statement submitted to the Congressional Record:
TRIBUTE TO MAJOR DANIELA RAGEN OF BROADWATER COUNTY
Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, today I have the distinct honor of recognizing Major Daniela Ragen, U.S. Army National Guard, of Broadwater County as Montanan of the Month for her service to our nation.
Daniela knew from a young age that she wanted to be a soldier. As soon as she enlisted in the Army, Daniela faced a challenge – a language barrier. She persisted and studied tirelessly to pass her English exams with high scores – so high she was accused of cheating and was forced to retake the exam. That didn’t deter her. She retook the exam and passed again with flying colors.
Following a period of service on active duty, Major Ragen joined the Arizona National Guard where she continued her career as an analyst in the Joint Counter Narcotics Task Force. Major Ragen then enrolled in the selective 15-month officer candidate school where she was one of only six participants who graduated from a starting class of 21 students.
In addition to serving her country, Daniela has served her state as a coordinator for the Montana National Guard Counterdrug Program. In this position, Daniela represents the best of both the National Guard and the State of Montana through her values of service, leadership and persistence. She was even selected by her colleagues to serve as the Chair for Northwest Region Advisory Committee for the National Counterdrug Program.
On top of being an exemplary Montanan and soldier, Daniela is a wife and a mother of five children, one of whom is currently serving in the Montana National Guard. Her husband, Lieutenant Colonel Chase Ragen, is also a long-serving officer in the Montana National Guard.
Major Ragen truly embodies the values of a soldier and the spirit of a Montanan. It is my honor to recognize Daniela for her resilience, courage and commitment to serving her great state and country. Keep up the great work, Major Ragen.
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Contact: Katherine McKeogh, Katie Schoettler