Airman Of The Year Among Awardees At The Western Air Defense Sector
Story by 1st Lt. Elena O'Bryan; Photos by Kevin Tosh - Posted Mar, 2003
 |
The Western Air Defense Sectors annual awards banquet, which drew more than 200 military members, families, friends and event sponsors to the Cascade Community Center at Ft. Lewis, Wash., celebrated the achievements of WADS members during the past year.
1st Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Ronald Norfolk announced that Senior Airman Terri Rollins (pictured left) and Staff Sgt. Allan Lawson (photo not available) had been selected 1st Air Force Airman of the Year and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, respectively.
SrA Rollins also was named Washington Air National Guards Airman of the Year, which was announced by Maj. Gen. Frank Scoggins, commander of the Washington ANG.
One of the highlights of the event was the announcement that WADS Commander Col. John L. Cromwell had been awarded the Legion of Merit for outstanding conduct in the performance of meritorious service to the United States. The Legion of Merit, which represents exceptional service performed by a key individual, dates back to 1942 and the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
 |
Other WADS members honored for their achievements were: Capt. John Deshaye, Company Grade Officer of the Year; 1st Lt. Matthew Cannady, Drill Status Guardsman (DSG) of the Year; Master Sgt. Trish Almond, Senior NCO of the Year; Staff Sgt. Mark Morgan, Category I DSG Enlisted of the Year; Tech. Sgt. Marvin Shields, Category II DSG Enlisted of the Year; Chris Frankland, Category I Civilian of the Year; Gary Pettit, Category II Civilian of the Year; Tech. Sgt. Gary Stumph, Trainer of the Year.
At later events, Cannady and another Sector member were named 1st Air Force Reserve Component winners in the Intelligence community. First Lieutenant Cannady, who is chief, Intelligence Watch, won the Intelligence Company Grade Officer of the Year - Level II award. Technical Sergeant George Saratsis, noncommissioned officer in charge of Intelligence Training, won the Intelligence Noncommissioned Officer of the Year - Level II award.
As a state award-winner this year, Rollins will meet and greet VIPs visiting WADS, and she will be invited to special events on the state level. Both Rollins and Lawson will attend the 1st Air Force awards luncheon in the spring.
Airman Rollins will also go on to compete against other Guard members nationwide to be among the top 12 Outstanding Airman of the Year for the Guard Bureau. Not since 1999 has a WADS airman been chosen for this honor. The airman was Aerospace Control and Warning Systems Operator Staff Sgt. Edward J. Moore.
1st Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Craig McKinley was guest speaker at the event, which also was attended by General Scoggins and Washington Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Timothy J. Lowenberg. Colonel Cromwell and Sector Vice Commander Col. Michael Robbins congratulated each of the winners and nominees during the ceremony.
General McKinley commended the superior performance of WADS members especially during OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE, which began Sept. 11, 2001. Quite frankly, Operation Noble Eagle... has flown more combat sorties than we have in Afghanistan, the General told WADS members. You have controlled at least a third of those sorties.
General McKinley said he was struck by the confidence and spirit of the men and women at WADS. To honor their courage, he presented WADS members a heritage oil painting by Don Troian entitled Stand Your Ground depicting a battle between Colonists and British at Lexington, MA, April 19, 1775. Stay the course, he told WADS members. Your efforts in defense of this nation are significant.
During his speech, General
Scoggins praised the occasion, which is a WADS tradition.
The entire Washington Air National Guard is a much better place because
of the standard youve set in recognizing your people.
Colonel Cromwell stressed the need to recognize individuals who make a superior, sustained contribution to the success of the mission in guarding Americas western skies. However, he also said it is important to remember WADS is a team defending the nation. As you listen to the individual achievements, you will recognize how much each individual contributes to the welfare of others, he said. Together, everyone does achieve more.
 |
 |
|
|