Looking back, Spc. John Wiernasz may not have realized that becoming the Wisconsin Army National Guard's Soldier of the Year would be a year-long effort.

Wiernasz, of the Spooner-based 950th Engineer Company, began preparing for the company-level Soldier of the Year competition back in January. He won the state competition at Fort McCoy in March, as well as the regional competition at Camp Atterbury, Ind. in May. In August he was one of seven Guard members to vie for the Army National Guard Soldier of the Year title at the Warrior Training Center, Fort Benning, Ga.

Wiernasz did not win the national title, but his Soldier of the Year gig was not over yet. Sunday, Sept. 13, he was recognized for his accomplishments before more than 70,000 cheering fans during the halftime of the Green Bay Packers' football game against the Chicago Bears.

"I never expected anything like this," he admitted. "It is much appreciated."

Wiernasz marched onto the storied tundra of Lambeau Field, flanked by inflatable Army National Guard mascots, as a video of Kid Rock's song "Warrior" – a tribute to the Army National Guard - played on the jumbotrons.

Wiernasz said he did not view the public salute as a personal tribute, but one intended for his unit and the Wisconsin Army National Guard as a whole. He credited the members of his unit who helped him prepare for the various levels of competition, as well as state Command Sgt. Major George Stopper for his support past the state level.

Wiernasz offered some advice to Guard members thinking of competing for Soldier of the Year.

"Make sure you have the time," he said. "You really have to go all out, or you won't get anything out of it.

"A lot of it is physical," he continued. "The more I worked out, the better. Even the mental stuff was physical."