Service members honored for community involvement

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Aja Heiden
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  The Military Service Person of the Year Award trustee luncheon held at Jungle Island by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce July 9, recognized military personal for their contributions to the community through voluntary or charitable service.

Members from Homestead Air Reserve Base, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Seventh Coast Guard District (including Base Miami Beach and Air Station Opa Locka), Special Operations Command South, Florida National Guard (including Army National Guard and Air Guard), and United States Southern Command came together in the joint award ceremony .

Nominees were selected from each branch of service to be recognized.

"The nomination forms are sent to our selection committee that decides who to honor based on service to the community", said Allie G. Lindblade, Manager for Community Growth.

To be eligible for nomination personnel must be assigned to a military organization in South Florida at the time of nomination and not been previously honored.

The Military Affairs Committee is dedicated to providing community action and support.

"Twenty-seven years ago the Greater Miami Chamber decided to annually recognize service members stationed in Miami-Dade County who are not only outstanding performers in the military, but who also gave of their time, talent and financial resources to serve their "adopted" community," said Don Slesnick, MAC Chairman, who was a part of the selection committee. "This is the business community's effort to honor the military in general and to highlight some of the outstanding people who are serving our nation in and out of uniform."

Honoree Tech. Sgt. Eleanor Bravo, 482nd Mission Support Group, has a long resume of service to others which includes working with the Florida Air National Guard in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and assisting in providing food and toys for over 100 children in need.

"I am honored and thankful to my leadership and family because it was a group effort," said Bravo.

She coordinated 12 enlisted promotion ceremonies honoring the accomplishments of 373 Airmen, and volunteered as a U. S. Air Force Judge at Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps drill competition for Miami-Dade County public school participants where she was a positive role model for all cadets in attendance.

Bravo who has received several awards during her military service, including Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and Air Force Good Conduct Medal.

"The best advice I can give any Airmen is to always get involved in our community, after all it is our home and our children's home," said Bravo.

Retired Capt. Robert C. Grant, U. S. Coast Guard, an honoree at the event, was present with the Lifetime Contribution to Military Service award .His career spanned a period of 45 years. Grant's military awards include Legion of Merit Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Coast Guard Commendation Medal. As a volunteer he oversees the commissioning of the new Fast Response Cutters being based in the Seventh District. He also spends time volunteering for the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and the Coast Guard Foundation.

Here is a list of Military Service Person of the Year Award honorees:

-Staff Sgt. Derek Auguste, U. S. Army, Special Operations Command South

-Tech Sgt. Eleanor Bravo, U. S. Air Force, Homestead Air Reserve Base

-Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class Terrance L. Kirkland Jr. U. S. Navy, U. S. Southern Command

-Maritime Enforcement Specialist 3rd Class Adam T. Lien, U. S. Coast Guard, Tactical Law Enforcement Team South

-Sgt. Jesus M. Magallanes III, U. S. Marine, U. S. Southern Command

-Staff Sgt. Kirk C. Watson, 525th Signal Company, 56th Signal Battalion, 21st Signal Brigade, U. S. Southern Command

-Tech. Sgt. Derek D. Zarnesky, Intelligence Directorate, U. S. Southern Command