Honoring our next 'Greatest Generation'

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacob Jimenez
  • 482d Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  The Greater Homestead/Florida City Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee held its 12th Annual Awards Banquet at Homestead Air Reserve Base on March 5. The MAC honored military and civilian personnel who have performed above and beyond serving their country.

     The evening attendees included 482nd Fighter Wing commander Colonel Donald Lindberg; Special Operations Command South commander Rear Admiral Thomas Brown II; Miami-Dade County Commissioner Lynda Bell; and City of Homestead Mayor Steven Bateman.

     The MAC is a unique committee dedicated to connecting with local businesses and organizations to support military in the community. Every year the committee awards deserving military personnel whose hard work might otherwise go unnoticed.

     Award nominees are selected from over 2,500 military and civilian personnel; of those selected only the best are rewarded. The committee, by no means, takes the hard work or sacrifices of the nominees lightly. Nominees are selected after careful review by their commanders, demonstrating their "true colors" in tough situations and performing to the best of their capabilities. They are exceptional individuals who have distinguished themselves through exemplary accomplishments in the performance of their duties.

     Thirty individuals were nominated for various awards. The event honored 11 of the nominees who stood apart among the others. The winners of the annual awards by category are:

- Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Savannah M. Hawes, 482nd Medical Squadron

- Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Robert D. Medlock, Jr., 70th Aerial Port Squadron

- Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year
Master Sgt. Kenneth L. Lewis, 482nd Security Forces Squadron

- Junior Commissioned Officer of the Year
Capt. Miriam A. Krieger, 93rd Fighter Squadron

- First Sergeant of the Year
Master Sgt. Thomas W. Cougill, 482nd Communications Squadron

- Civil Engineering Civilian of the Year Category I
Mr. Alvin L. Sims, Jr., 482nd Base Civil Engineering

- Civilian of the Year Category II
Mr. Clancy Corwin, 482nd Communications Squadron

- Civilian of the Year Category III
Mr. Lawrence Ventura, Jr., 482nd Base Civil Engineering

- Florida Air National Guard Air Defense Warrior of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Michael T. Moleta, Detachment One, 125th Fighter Wing

- Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team Sailor of the Year
Marine Science Technician 3rd Class Sean D. Eversole 

     Awardees were presented many decorations and accolades while passing through a long congratulatory line of commanders, MAC members, local elected officials and event sponsors from 21 businesses and organizations.

     "These men and woman that stand before us today are the ones that make our mission a success and it's my honor to be their commander," said Col. Lindberg.

     The guest speaker for the event was Ms. Lynda Bell, the first Miami-Dade County Commissioner to speak at a MAC awards banquet. She is also a former Homestead Councilwoman and the first woman mayor in the City of Homestead's 96 year history. A long-time supporter of the base and dedicated advocate of the community, Commissioner Bell addressed the troops for their outstanding accomplishments and for the many great services they have rendered to accomplish the mission. She also spoke about how units from Homestead ARB have deployed to the four corners of the world on many different and versatile missions defending our freedoms, while bringing liberty and security to countless people.

     "I support the base's efforts towards passing intelligent zoning around its runway and allowing appropriate development while protecting the safety of their pilots, citizens on the ground and the 2,700 high-paying jobs Homestead Air Reserve Base brings to the community," said Commissioner Bell.

    She finished her speech congratulating the honoraries for their boundless sacrifices and outstanding services to the nation. She made reference to how their efforts are bringing democratic change to countries worldwide and are helping other nations enjoy the freedoms that make America great.

    "I'm looking at America's next 'Greatest Generation'. As historians consider these times and write their books; all the deployments, all the duties in dangerous, in many times anonymous places, I believe they will credit this dynamic shift to you. And you should wear that knowledge like a medal of honor," said Commissioner Bell.