Utah Guardsman wins ANG Outstanding New Writer award

SALT LAKE CITY -- Senior Airman Lillian Harnden, a print journalist with the 151st Air Refueling Wing, was recently presented the Air National Guard's Outstanding New Writer 2010 award at the National Guard Bureau Public Affairs Workshop in Reno, NV.

"I love writing," said Airman Harnden. "I can write for myself all day long, but I chose a journalism degree so I can learn to write about other people. I chose public affairs in the Guard so I can write about selfless people who deserve to be recognized."

Airman Harnden's award was no surprise to some of the members in the Public Affairs Office.

"You can always find Lillian in her corner writing and looking for ways to tell the Air Guard's story," said Staff Sgt. Mike Madsen, a videographer in the Public Affairs Office. "She has a quiet dedication...and we often go to her to proof our video stories."

Airman Harnden joined the 151st ARW Public Affairs Office in May of 2009. During her time in the unit, she has been on several trips covering wing's mission.

"Since I've been in the unit, I've traveled to Morocco, Geilenkirchen, Germany, and attended several training conferences," she said. "The most awesome part of my job is getting a chance to get to know other Guardsmen and travel around with them to see what they really do."

Airman Harnden said the caliber of people she meets in the Guard always impresses her.

"The articles I submitted to the 2010 media contest are about those people. They make my stories worth reading."

Airman Harnden is currently working on a journalism degree at Weber State University and continues to write during her free time.