By MSgt Danny Whitlock
MIDVALE, Utah – Military spouses from across the Utah National Guard gathered April 24, 2026, at the Zions Bancorporation Technology Center for Spouse Night, an event designed to strengthen connections and increase awareness of family readiness resources.
The event reflected Maj. Gen. Daniel D. Boyack’s, the adjutant general of the Utah National Guard, emphasis on family readiness as a critical part of overall Guard readiness. Boyack has made strengthening support for service members and their families a priority, including efforts to better connect families with counseling services, youth programs, education resources and deployment-related assistance.
Held ahead of Military Spouse Appreciation Day, the event brought together community partners, family support organizations and Utah National Guard leaders to share information and build connections with spouses whose families are navigating deployments and other military-related challenges.
Michelle Boyack, key spouse for the Utah National Guard, helped lead the event and said the original concept evolved as organizers saw a greater need to connect families with available resources.
“We wanted to build stronger relationships through various activities such as dancing, a paint night or similar events,” Michelle Boyack said. “However, with so many soldiers and airmen getting deployed recently, we pivoted and decided to hold a resource fair to get information out to the families.”
Family readiness is a key component of military readiness. When families are informed, supported and connected to resources, service members are better able to meet mission and emergency response requirements.
The evening also addressed a common challenge for military families: not always knowing what resources are available until they are needed.
“There were things I didn’t know about,” Michelle Boyack said, reflecting on her own experience as a military spouse. Her comment underscored that even experienced spouses can benefit from direct access to support organizations and information.
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Kelley Fleischman, commander support staff for the 151st Maintenance Group, attended the event to support organizers and learn more about resources available to her family. Fleischman said her husband, a Utah National Guard Army soldier, has been deployed since December 2025, shortly after they were married in October.
“With events like this, the military is saying, ‘We know that we’ve taken your husband right now, or wife, and we’re not just leaving you hanging,’” Fleischman said. “I really appreciate that. I like what Maj. Gen. Boyack said about the J9 book that the Guard has come out with. The practical guides help you be prepared for the inevitable.”
Fleischman said the transition has been different for her and her two children, and she is grateful for programs that assist families when responsibilities fall to one parent.
Lacy Nielsen, key spouse for the Utah National Guard, said giving spouses direct access to information can make a real difference for families.
“As a spouse, it’s nice to come and actually see for yourself what family programs there are,” Nielsen said. “The more people that know about it, the better.”
She said meeting other spouses who understand military life was among the most valuable parts of the event.
Michelle Boyack said those personal connections can be just as important as formal programs because they help create trusted support networks before challenges arise.
“Few people really know military life,” Michelle Boyack said. “If we know each other better, we can rely on each other more.”
Organizers hope to continue similar events to strengthen families, improve program awareness and reinforce readiness across the Utah National Guard.For more information about family readiness resources or to download the J9 family readiness book, visit https://guard.utah.gov/j9/
