Photo by Deb Gau Troy Schmitt, general manager of Titan Machinery in Marshall, was presented Friday with a certificate of appreciation and a Yellow Ribbon coin by Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas DeCamp. Titan was nominated for a Yellow Ribbon award in recognition of their contributions of equipment and work to help the Marshall unit of the National Guard load up for training missions.

MARSHALL — For the National Guard unit based out of Marshall, getting ready for training involves a lot of heavy lifting. But the Guard have found some solid support in the local community.

Twice a year, Titan Machinery in Marshall sends equipment like payloaders and forklifts to help load equipment for transport to Camp Ripley.

“They have helped the unit out for five years,” said Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas DeCamp. Last week, Titan got a heartfelt “thank you” for their efforts. Guard members and local representatives of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon presented Titan with a Yellow Ribbon achievement award.

“The community of Marshall and the surrounding area is one of the best, they’re very supportive of military personnel,” said Denise Schneekloth, a member of the Marshall area Beyond the Yellow Ribbon committee. The group said they wanted to highlight businesses like Titan Machinery for what they’ve done to support area service members.

The Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program forms community networks to bring together local resources in support of military service members, veterans and military families. Marshall became a Yellow Ribbon community in 2011.

On Friday DeCamp, Staff Sgt. Tonya Eichner and Schneekloth presented a certificate of appreciation and Yellow Ribbon coin to general manager Troy Schmitt and parts manager Rich Gregoire at Titan Machinery. The business was nominated for the Yellow Ribbon award for their help loading and unloading equipment for Battery A of the the 1-151 Field Artillery unit, at the Marshall National Guard Armory. Titan volunteers a forklift and work time to load flatbed trailers with equipment before the unit goes to Camp Ripley to train, DeCamp said. When the unit returns, Titan helps unload the equipment.

Training missions are critical for area Guard members, Schneekloth said. They need to be prepared to serve in an emergency. Titan’s generosity has helped make those training missions possible over the past five years, DeCamp said.

Schmitt said the staff at Titan Machinery were glad to support local National Guard troops.

“We want to say thanks for what they do for us,” he said.