MAC honors Homestead's best

  • Published
  • By Tim Norton
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVEASE, Fla. --  The Homestead/Florida City Military Affairs Committee once again honored military and civilians assigned to Homestead ARB at the 13th Annual Awards Banquet held at the Falcon's Nest Club on Mar 24.

Recognized were members of the 482nd Fighter Wing, Special Operations Command South, U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team and the Florida Air National Guard. Competing in nine different categories, award nominees are selected from over 2,500 military and civilian personnel.

The night's event was highlighted by guest speaker, famed Tuskegee Airman and local resident, retired Lt. Col. Eldridge F. Williams.

Born in November 1917, Williams was drafted in 1941 and after a year of service was selected to attend officer training school. Commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps, Williams was assigned to Tuskegee Army Air Field, Ala. In 1964, Williams joined Dade County public schools overseeing numerous personnel and staffing programs to include the Office of Equal Opportunity; he retired in 1985.

Members from 21 local businesses, government offices and senior military members were on-hand to congratulate and present numerous gifts and awards to the winners.

Event host Col. Donald R. Lindberg concluded the night's event thanking the MAC, local sponsors, presenters and recognized the award winners for their contributions to the base's mission.

"Each year you [MAC] come out to recognize and honor our best and brightest military and civilian members - thanks for thanking our troops," Lindberg said.

The following are the winner's category, name, and unit of assignment:

Junior Officer: Capt. Toby R. Evans, 70th Aerial Port Squadron.

Senior Noncommissioned Officer: Master Sgt. Gavin L. Sinclair, 482nd Civil Engineer Squadron.

Noncommissioned Officer: Tech. Sgt. Stephen J. Kaufman, 482d Civil Engineer Squadron.

Airman: Senior Airman Jacqueline O. Salazar, 70th Aerial Port Squadron.

First Sergeant of the Year: Master Sgt. Francisco G. Gonzalez, 482nd Force Support Squadron.

Civilian Category I: Mr. Harriol Coats, 482nd Communications Squadron.

Civilian Category II: Ms. Sybil C. Hamilton, 482nd Fighter Wing.

Civilian Category III: Mr. Darryl S. Barnes, 482nd Communications Squadron.

Sailor of the Year: Petty Officer 1st Class Jessica L. Clark, U.S. Coast Guard MSST, Miami, Fla.

Air Defense Warrior of the Year: Tech Sgt. Aaron Chasse, Detachment 1, 125th Fighter Wing, Florida Air National Guard.

Service Member of the Year: SGT John R. Ferrell, Special Operations Command South.