Margaret Flowers Civic Award 2010 recipient named - Gosport

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PAGE 4 February 25, 2011 GOSPORT GOSPORT 5 February 25, 2011 PAGE Margaret Flowers Civic Award runners-up The Margaret Flowers Civic Award is named for a retired civil service employee, Margaret Flowers. The award recognizes individuals who have done the most work for various civic activities and organizations in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. It is the most prestigious service member award in the two-county area. The individual may be from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or Coast Guard. Nominees must not only be best in civic achievements, but must also be of the highest caliber of professionalism in their technical specialties. They must reflect a recruiter, image appearance. The summaries of their achievements below were sampled from their nomination packages. These nominees have exemplified every aspect of the Margaret Flowers Civic Award. Their contributions were honored yesterday (Feb. 24) at the New World Landing restaurant in downtown Pensacola. ABH1 Shane Ammons – NAS Whiting Field ABH1 Ammons exemplifies the Navy core values of honor, courage and commitment. His personal involvement in projects and managerial talents were paramount to his success and have led him to become a dynamic leader. His accomplishments for 2010 incude, but are not limited to: Adopt-a-Vet coordinator, Sea Cadet training officer, East Milton Sports Association Baseball League coach, East Milton Elementary School “fire awareness” program, Milton parades, NAS Whiting Field “Sports Day,” Command Diverse heritage assistant coordinator and participated in First Class Petty Officer Association (FCPOA) “Adopt a Highway” clean-up and Santa Rosa County “Blackwater River Clean-up.” CTN1 Robert Byrdsell – NAVIOCOM Corry Station CTN1 Byrdsell demonstrates leadership and professionalism in each of his accomplishments. His devotion to the command and community have been a direct result of more than 800 hours of community service affecting more than 50,000 people and raising more than $278,000 for local charitable organizations. His accomplishments for 2010 include, but are not limited to: provided direct mentorship building a team that produced three Blue Jackets of the Quarter and one Blue Jacket of the Year, and served as a little league football coach and led 20 Sailors to assist charities over the holidays. HM3 Ariel Cortez – NOMI HM3 Cortez set the standard for dedication to mission, shipmates and community within the Naval Operational Medicine Institute (NOMI). His accomplishments include being chairperson of NOMI Junior Enlisted Association, and he strives to excel in his classes, maintaining a 3.86 grade point average in his college courses and training. His accomplishments for 2010 include, but are not limited to: Actively volunteering 500 hours at the USO in the Pensacola Gulf Regional Airport, member of the American Red Cross of Northwest Florida’s humanitarian relief team, volunteer at American Legion Post 340 and participant in Pensacola Runners Association Fiesta 10K/5K. Sgt. Eric Dorfman – MATSG-21 Sgt. Dorfman devotes his personal time to volunteering and goes beyond the call of duty to help others. His efforts have improved the quality of life for many individuals and he continues work to improve relations between the military and civilian communities in Escambia County. His accomplishments for 2010 include, but are not limited to: planned and organized two separate professional military education programs for personnel onboard NASP, provided a comprehensive view of military actions in the Pacific theater of operation for an HBO presentation of “The Pacific” and supervised more than 3,480 hours of community service in the Pensacola area. IT1 Walter Luthye – CID Corry Station IT1 Luthye assumes a major role in volunteer activities through the base. In 2010 he contributed to a staggering 1,154 community service hours. His attitude and leadership are exemplary models for the Navy. His accomplishments for 2010 include, but are not limited to: organized USS Alabama work-day on four occasions, supervisor of several work-days at Perdido Key State Park and Big Lagoon State Park, spearheaded the Student Leadership Team through the base chapel, which has supported the Manna Food Drive, co-coordinated the annual Battle of Midway ceremony and helped Corry Station win five major community service awards in the past two years. SH2 Lester Louisville – NASP SH2 Louisville displays initiative, motivation and eagerness that has allowed his to make substantial contributions to the naval community. His leading and mentoring skills have made a positive impact on both the local community and NAS Pensacola. His accomplishments for 2010 include, but are not limited to: led 10 volunteers to assist with the Northwest Florida Heart Walk, contributed to more than 110 hours of volunteer work, raised more than $12,000 for the park district “Friends of Pensacola” state park, led a team of 15 volunteers for the Fiesta of Five Flags, participated in the annual NASP coastal clean-up and led 75 volunteers for the United Way “Day of Caring.” AO1 Decarveus Madison – NATTC AO1 Madison has proven to be a dynamic, proactive leader in the naval community. His participation in off-duty activities has inspired other service members to volunteer as well. His accomplishments for 2010 include, but are not limited to: contributed to 500 hours of community service to the Perdido Bay Youth Sports Association, created a youth support mentorship program, organized student fun day for 4,700 students and spearheaded efforts for the FCPOA to make considerable donations to “Fishes and Loaves” which gave needy families a Christmas dinner. AE2 Brandie Nicholas – NATTC AE2 Nicholas is a profound leader whose dedication to community service is exemplified not only by her own participation, but also by her efforts to provide opportunities for others. Her intense devotion as a decisive, forward-thinking leader has distinguished her as an individual who exceeds expectations and personifies the highest standards of the Navy. Her accomplishments for 2010 include but are not limited to: NATTC Sailor of the Quarter for the first quarter and Avionics Sailor of the Quarter for the fourth quarter 2010, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) advocate and is currently maintaining a 4.0 GPA in pursuit of higher education. ABF1 Josue Rivera-Class – NATTC ABF1 Rivera-Class is recognized in his accomplishments as being dedicated, hardworking and professional. His talent in training Sailors has made him a profound leader and committed community servant. His accomplishments for 2010 include, but are not limited to: dedicated 100 hours to Habitat for Humanity by providing repairs and general maintenence to the elderly in Escambia County, provided drug and alcohol training for children with the Young Marines of Pensacola and advocated the opportunities of higher education for the children, and as Liberty Church Youth Sports Director was recognized for his team-building skills and leadership. Staff Sgt. Michele Tapia – MATSG-21 Staff Sgt. Tapia serves as an ambassador for community relations through her work with the disabled and local elementary and high school children. Her skills as a leader have offered her the opportunity to coordinate with Marines and expedite movements to multiple volunteer events. Her accomplishments for 2010 include but are not limited to: assisted multiple charity programs in the area including Toys for Tots, the Special Olympics and the Salvation Army, served as a volunteer with the Escambia High School Quarterback Club, participated in “Clean and Green” restoration project at the Mount Zion Cemetery and raised awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society.
PAGE 6 February 25, 2011 GOSPORT HT-28 change of command takes place March 4 From NASWF PAO Cmdr. Mathew Frost will turn over command of Helicopter Training Squadron 28 to Lt. Col. Mark Thompson March 4, at 10 a.m., in the Naval Air Station Whiting Field Auditorium. During his tenure as executive officer and commanding officer, Frost led the “Hellions” in executing more than 30,000 mishap-free flight hours; completing more than 18,177 sorties and winging 430 Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and allied naval aviators. With steadfast dedication, he led his command to grades of “outstanding” during two major inspection visits. As the executive officer, Frost was instrumental in the establishment of the Navy’s newest helicopter training squadron. During his time as the Hellions’ third commanding Cmdr. Matthew Frost officer, he continued the squadron’s tradition of achieving fiscal year pilot production goals. He also led the squadron in serving the local community through more than 800 hours of community service. Frost was commissioned through the United States Naval Academy and was designated a naval aviator in November 1993. Throughout his 20-year career, he has flown for HC-3 and HC-11 out of NAS North Island, Calif.; served as an instructor pilot; worked as an assistant air officer aboard the USS Nassau (LHA 4); was the officer in charge of Detachment Four for the “Chargers” of HC- 6, out of NAS Norfolk, Va.; and completed a joint staff assignment at Headquarters, U.S. Central Command, MacDill AFB, Tampa, Fla. He assumed command of HT-28 Dec. 4, 2009. Thompson graduated from Georgetown University in 1992. Upon commissioning and completion of The Basic School, he earned designation as a naval aviator in 1994. He then had his initial training in the AH-1W SuperCobra out of Camp Pendleton, Calif. Since 1994, he was stationed Lt. Col. Mark Thompson at (HMLA) 369 in Camp Pendleton; served with Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 at MCAS Miramar, Calif.; and worked as Marine officer instructor, Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit, University of San Diego/San Diego State University, while simultaneously holding the position of executive officer for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP) Preparatory School located aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. In 2002, Thompson reported back to HMLA-369, followed by Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 (Rein). He also served at the White House as the United States Marine Corps military aide to President George W. Bush. As the emergency actions officer, he was the custodian of the president’s emergency satchel, providing the president with immediate access to the nation’s most sensitive and critical resources. As the president’s aide-de-camp, he coordinated all Department of Defense support to the president and served as his ceremonial aide. By 2nd Lt. Molly LeBlanc NASWF PAO Receiving one’s first bicycle, as a birthday or Christmas present, is a fond memory of childhood that is etched in the memory of many American youths. The thrill of learning to ride a bike without training wheels is without comparison, and it’s an accomplishment that is a rite of passage for growing kids. The only thing that can make the pride of learning to ride a “two wheeler” even better: owning your very own bike. Bennie Giles, facility manager at the Whiting Pines housing community for Naval Air Station Whiting Field, had all of this in mind on the day 9- year-old Kyle Simpson brought a picture into the neighborhood management office. The picture was of Kyle and his favorite belonging: his bike. He explained that the bike had gone missing, and asked if Bennie and the rest of the staff would keep their eyes open for it. “I felt so bad, because I knew how much he loved that bike,” said Giles, “every once in a while I would take a drive around the neighborhood to see if I could find it, but I never did.” The bike had been Kyle’s most prized possession during the year that he owned it. He ensured it was always clean and shiny, checking the tire pressure and polishing the reflectors regularly. “He always took such good care of it,” said Kyle’s mother, Alexandra Simpson. “He rode it all the time. That’s why we were so surprised when the bike was just gone.” After a few weeks of unsuccessful searches, Kyle began to give up hope that they would find it again. He started saving up to buy a new bike on his own by doing chores and odd jobs for Giles around the neighborhood office. He even dreamed of starting a recycling program in the neighborhood to raise the money he needed. “I just kept trying to figure out how I could help more,” Giles said. “You get to know the residents around here, so you kind of take it personally when something like this happens.” He knew he couldn’t buy Kyle a brand new bike, but in December they got some bittersweet news that meant he wouldn’t have to. Kyle’s mother had found the bike in a front yard of a nearby neighborhood. Unfortunately, it wasn’t in good condition. “The chain was broken, and it had been spray painted all over,” she said, “it looked like it had been Whiting Pines staff member helps boy repair bike Bennie Giles and Kyle Simpson passed around and used until it couldn’t be ridden anymore.” Giles, however, came up with a plan. It had become a kind of hobby for him and his two sons, ages 14 and 16, to work on bikes in their shop, and he knew they would be able to fix up Kyle’s. He took the damaged bike to work on while the Simpson family went on a Christmas vacation. Over the next couple weeks, Giles and his sons fixed up the whole bike, sanding off the spray paint, replacing the chain, and installing new handlebar grips. Although it didn’t look exactly the same as it originally did, it was significantly better, and most importantly Kyle would be able to ride it again. When the family returned from vacation, they stopped by the Whiting Pines office. Before Giles revealed the surprise, Heather Sanders, Community Manager, asked Kyle how his vacation was. “He told me it was good, but he was disappointed that he didn’t get the one thing he wanted for Christmas — another bike.” Little did he know, he was about to get exactly what he wished for. When the “new” bike was wheeled out of the office, Kyle immediately took it outside and rode the sidewalks behind the building. “I was really excited, and thankful,” he said. Giles was happy to see that his repair job had been a success. “I had wanted to do something this Christmas to help another person, and this was the perfect project,” he said. “It was a fun to be able to help Kyle get his bike back.” Support Our Troops Advertise here! Call Simone Sands at 433-1166 ext. 21
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Margaret Flowers Civic Award 2010 recipient named - Gosport

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