In 1980, a team from the NH Army National Guard, led by then SSG Gerald Cormier, was honored with the Philip A. Connelly Award for excellence in food service.

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Run by  the Joint Culinary Center of Excellence, U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps, the Philip A. Connelly Program recognizes "food service excellence executed by culinary specialists resulting in the presentation of extremely gratifying dining experiences across all Army food service platforms in garrison and field environments."

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The award is named for Mr. Philip A Connelly who was born in Framingham, Massachusetts in June 1907. Throughout his life, Connelly worked to promote professionalism in food service, in both the civilian industry and military services. As a result of his dedicated purpose and positive influence, civilian and military food service programs are more closely aligned and personnel in these programs now have uniform goals in education training, career development and job opportunities.

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The NHARNG team participated in a months-long rigorous selection process before being crowned the winners of the award for Reserve Component Field Kitchen Category. The five-member team included:

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SFC Gerard Labrecque

SSG Gerald Cormier

SPC Louis Sanfacon

SPC Ronald Latendre

SPC Joel Hersom

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*Ranks reflected at time of award