Brehm honored at retirement ceremony

Maj. Timothy “Tim” R. Brehm, a native of Jamestown, retired from the North Dakota National Guard after 36 cumulative years of service with the Guard, the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserve. A ceremony to honor his military achievements was held May 31 at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory in Bismarck.
Brehm enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1972 as an infantryman and completed U.S. Army Airborne training and earned his Ranger tab at Fort Benning, Ga., before serving in an airborne infantry unit at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, for over two years.
After discharge from the U.S. Army, he was a member of the Jamestown Police Department when he decided to serve with the U.S. Army Reserve and the North Dakota Army National Guard. In 1987, he earned his officer’s commission through the North Army National Guard Officer Candidate School. During his tenure in the National Guard, he served in quartermaster, air defense artillery and engineer units. Brehm deployed to Honduras and Jamaica for humanitarian reconstruction missions after tropical storms. He completed courses in resiliency, sexual harassment and assault prevention and equal opportunity, becoming his unit’s representative in these areas.
“What most of us will remember best about Maj. Brehm, is his volunteer spirit. Regardless of the event, he has always been there to help whenever and wherever an extra hand was needed,” said Col. Scott Boespflug, chief of the joint staff for the North Dakota National Guard, who presided over the ceremony. “For example, he’s been a fixture at our Memorial Day ceremony for over two decades.”
For the last 23 years, Brehm served as a volunteer in support of the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony, handling parking. He also volunteered to drive new recruits from all over the state to drill with the Recruit Training Company.
“Putting on the uniform today, it hit me for real,” Brehm said about retiring. “I’m excited for retirement, but I will certainly miss everyone that I served with in the Guard. There are simply too many of my fellow soldiers to thank; people that have inspired me during my military career. I am extremely grateful to all of them.”
Among the retirement awards and gifts presented to Brehm were two U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medals and a cased U.S. Flag. Brehm will continue his civilian job with the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation as the director of professional standards (Internal Affairs). Brehm, who resides in Baldwin, N.D, was accompanied during his ceremony by his wife, Deb, their children, grandchildren, mother and other family and friends.
Brehm09.jpg: North Dakota National Guard’s Maj. Timothy “Tim” Brehm presents flowers to his wife, Deb, at his retirement ceremony on May 31, 2015 at the Raymond J. Bohn armory in Bismarck, North Dakota. Brehm retired after more than 36 cumulative years of service with the National Guard, the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserve. (U.S. National Guard photo by Sgt. Jennifer Joyce, 116th Public Affairs Detachment/Released)
Brehm14.jpg: North Dakota National Guard’s Col. Scott Boespflug (right), chief of the joint staff for the N.D. National Guard, presents an award to Maj. Timothy “Tim” Brehm as Brehm’s wife Deb watches during Brehm’s retirement ceremony on May 31, 2015 at the Raymond J. Bohn armory in Bismarck, North Dakota. Brehm retired after more than 36 cumulative years of service with the National Guard, the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserve. (U.S. National Guard photo by Sgt. Jennifer Joyce, 116th Public Affairs Detachment/Released)
Brehm23.jpg: North Dakota National Guard’s Maj. Timothy “Tim” Brehm holds his U.S. Army “Certificate of Retirement” at his retirement ceremony on May 31, 2015 at the Raymond J. Bohn armory in Bismarck, North Dakota. Brehm retired after more than 36 cumulative years of service with the National Guard, the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserve. (U.S. National Guard photo by Sgt. Jennifer Joyce, 116th Public Affairs Detachment/Released)