The top family readiness programs in the reserve component for 2003 were honored today during the Defense Department's fourth annual awards ceremony in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes. Master of ceremonies Marine Lt. Col. Ian Ferguson, of DoD's reserve affairs office, emphasized that family readiness is a key component of mission readiness. "Robust family readiness programs have greatly enhanced the deployablity of the Guard and Reserve," he noted. "One need only look at the last few years to recognize the critical role the reserve components play in supporting our nation. Improved family readiness programs and command emphasis have enabled Guard...