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Guam airmen to be recognized
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Posted on Dec 12 2008
GUAM—About 90 airmen of the Guam Air National Guard are scheduled to be recognized during a Hometown Heroes Ceremony at the Meehan Theater on Andersen Air Force Base Sunday, Dec. 14, from 9am to 10:30am for their services while on deployment.
The airmen who will be recognized have deployed to various locations such as Afghanistan, Qatar, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the Philippines.
Chief Master Sgt. Richard Smith, command chief of the Air Guard, said the Air Guard’s Hometown Heroes Salute Campaign will recognize what could be more than 70,000 guardsmen who have deployed for more than 30 consecutive days since Sept. 11, 2001. Qualifying contingencies include operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and domestic missions like Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
“We have not properly recognized our airmen,” Smith told the Guard’s adjutants general, Air Guard commanders and command chief master sergeants during a recent senior leadership conference in Virginia.
Eligible Guard members will receive a cherry wood-encased letter of appreciation signed by Smith and former Air Guard director, Gen. Craig R. McKinley, now Chief of the National Guard Bureau. Also enclosed in the frame will be a commemorative coin.
“The program also thanks families, communities and employers,” said Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Muncy, Ohio’s command chief.
Spouses will receive a “Hometown Heroes Salute”—engraved pen and pencil set—and children will get a set of personalized dog tags. Airmen can also decide on an influential leader or group in their community and present that person or organization with a special medallion of appreciation.
Guardsmen who have deployed for 180 consecutive days or more are eligible for additional honors. A framed American flag with inset coins will be presented to airmen who served 180 to 365 consecutive days. An eagle statuette will be presented for deployments of more than 365 consecutive days.
Although airmen can earn all three awards, they cannot receive and award more than once. [B][I](PR)
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