By Sgt. Jesica Geffre, 116th Public Affairs Detachment

Chief Warrant Officer Kiel J. Skager, a Mandan resident, was awarded the 2009 Golden Eagle Community Service Award from the B i s m a r c k – M a n d a n Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee June 11.

The Golden Eagle Community Service Award is presented annually to recognize a single Bismarck- Mandan area military guard or reserve members who excel in community service through their volunteer efforts. Skager has dedicated many hours of volunteer service for the Central Dakota Humane Society since 1996.

The bulk of his volunteer hours have gone toward shelter animal and event photography, but also includes yard and maintenance work, dog walking, event poster layout and design, animal rescues and computer repair. For the past eight years Skager has been the volunteer photographer for CDHS “Santa Paws,” a charity event in which the public brings their families and pets to get their pictures taken with Santa.

He was awarded the 1997 CDHS Wendell Award for Animal Rescue for climbing a steep church roof to rescue a cat that had been stranded for three days. Skager was also involved with Cub Scouts as an assistant Den Leader for Pack 153, Mandan from 2006 to 2009.

This included teaching classes to the Scouts and helping to arrange den meetings. Skager has served in the N.D. National Guard for 25 years and is currently assigned as the full time Information Technology Branch Chief responsible.

Skager and his wife, Cameo, reside in Mandan. They have two children, Shae and North. The entire family is involved in volunteer work in the community.