Three area service members were honored on Friday, May 20th as the top enlisted personnel of 2011 at The Chamber's Annual Armed Forces Week Awards Luncheon at the Broadmoor. Before an audience of several hundred attendees at Broadmoor Hall, the winners were presented their awards by keynote speaker, Admiral James A. Winnefeld, Jr., United States Navy, Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command. The theme of the Armed Forces Luncheon was Let Freedom Ring A Salute To Our Military.
This year's award recipients were selected by the Military Affairs Council from a field of 14 outstanding enlisted men and women from local installations, chosen by their respective services. The Armed Forces Week Awards Luncheon recognizes the contributions of all enlisted personnel and provides a unique opportunity to express our community's gratitude to our military for their dedication and service to the nation.
The winners of the awards are:
Category One: Outstanding Enlisted E-1 through E-4
Senior Airman Blanca Thompson, United States Air Force Commanders Support Staff, HQ Air Force Space Command - Peterson AFB
Category Two: Outstanding Enlisted E-5 and E-6
Staff Sergeant Benjamin L. Sharp, United States Army Joint Tactical Ground (JTAGS) Master Training and Evaluation NCOIC, Platoon Sergeant, Headquarters Company, 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade, Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command - Peterson AFB
Category Three: Outstanding Enlisted E-7 and E-8
Chief Petty Officer Matthew D. Collins, United States Navy Leading Petty Officer, J32 Special Operations Division, United States Northern Command Peterson AFB
Armed Forces Week
Armed Forces Week is traditionally scheduled to coincide with Armed Forces Day on May 20th and offers an opportunity for our community to express its gratitude to the military for their dedication and service to the nation. The Chamber's Armed Forces Week celebration is one of the largest of its kind in the country and is comprised of two anchor eventsa concert and luncheon. This Armed Forces Week Awards Luncheon is brought to you by The Chamber and our Presenting Sponsor - Mike Shaw Buick-GMC Truck
The other 2011 enlisted award nominees are:
Category One: E-1 through E-4
SrA Michelle A. Haag, USAFR - 310th Security Forces Squadron, 310th Space Wing Schriever AFB
SPC
Roger R. Rodrigues, USA - 1st Space Brigade, Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command Peterson AFB
Category Two: E-5 and E-6
TSgt Sherlock E. Walker, USAF - 50th Space Communications Squadron, 50th Space Wing - Schriever AFB
SGT
Amy M. Molina, USA - 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Fort Carson
PO1
Casey J. Connors, USN North American Aerospace Defense Command and US Northern Command J673 General Support Division - Peterson AFB
SGT Kalene D. McSwain-Faulkner, USA Task Force Ivy, 4th Infantry Division Rear Fort Carson
TSgt Shad A. Coulson, USAFR - 310th Communications Flight, 310th Space Wing - Peterson AFB
Category Three: E-7 and E-8
SFC Amy L. Parks, USA - 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division - Fort Carson
SMSgt Candace A. Smith, USAF - 10th Medical Group, 10th Air Base Wing USAF Academy
SFC Gabriel A. Cardenas, USA - Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command Peterson AFB
MSgt Jaime U. Guerra, USAFR - 310th Communications Flight, 310th Space Wing - Peterson AFB
