The Alaska Army National Guard memorialized the Bethel Readiness Center in honor of the service and sacrifice of Bethel native, Maj. Robert Hoffman, in a public ceremony March 15 at 2:00 p.m. at 3704 Tower Road, Bethel, AK 99559.
The ceremony featured stories and testimonials of Hoffman’s life and military service. Hoffman continues to be an advocate within his tribal council and regional consortium and instills values and pride within his community today. Memorializing the armory in Bethel will honor and highlight the service of Alaska Natives across the state who have volunteered and fought valiantly in our nation’s military. Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard, spoke at the event and unveiled the new armory sign.
Robert J. Hoffman was born in Bethel, Alaska on 22 September 1951. He enlisted in the Alaska Army National Guard on 12 January 1971, and graduated basic training on 22 July 1971 as an infantryman. Mr. Hoffman returned to Alaska and was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 2nd Scout Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment in Bethel. He obtained the rank of Sergeant before he commissioned and became a second lieutenant on 1 May 1972. As a commissioned officer, Mr. Hoffman held various command and staff positions. He served as a platoon leader, company commander, battalion operations and training officer, logistics officer, and an instructor for the Eskimo scout marksmanship team.
The Bethel City Council also passed Resolution 24-01 in support of renaming the armory after Robert Hoffman, and was introduced by Bethel Mayor Mark Springer in support of the Orutsararmiut Traditional Native Council (ONC), Bethel’s tribal organization. ONC requested the Bethel’s State Representatives consider sponsorship of renaming the Bethel National Guard Armory in honor of Robert Hoffman.
“Maj. Hoffman has dedicated decades to the betterment of our community and the Yukon Kuskokwim Region, both in the time served in the Guard, but also in his numerous leadership positions such as the Orutsararmiut Traditional Native Council, currently seated as Secretary, as well as a Director of the Bethel Native Corporation,” states Res. 24-01.
The Bethel City Council voted unanimously in support of the resolution on January 23rd, 2024.
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