Offutt honors annual award winners

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. James M. Hodgman
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FOCE BASE, Neb. --  More than 300 friends, co-workers, supervisors, first sergeants and commanders gathered in the Patriot Club Ballroom Feb. 26 to honor the 55th Wing's "best of the best."

The event, the 55th Wing's annual awards banquet, was attended by people from as far away as Japan.

The theme for the ceremony, "A tradition of honor and a legacy of valor," summarized what the evening was all about, according to Brig. Gen. John N.T. Shanahan, 55th Wing commander.

"A tradition of honor and a legacy of valor, that's what we're here to celebrate tonight," General Shanahan said. "This evening is not about individual glory, it's about recognizing our very best individuals, it's not about a self serving attitude, it's about an attitude of service before self, it's not about any one person but about the collective team.

"Tonight it's about recognizing those in this wing who've done so much to make us the best damn wing in the United States Air Force," he added. "So it's entirely fitting that we (pause) this evening to recognize our very best of the best."

The evening began with the entrance of the award nominees, who wore traditional medallions as they passed through a saber cordon provided by the Offutt Honor Guard.

With each entrance, thunderous cheers and applause filled the room.

Each military organization shouted their mottos in support of their potential award recipients. The 55th Medical Group's shout of "You send them, we mend them," could be heard across the room, along with the 55th Mission Support Group's "Proud to be MSG," and the 55th Communication Group's cry of "Comm check, loud and clear."

The night also featured a performance by the Heartland of America Band's ensemble Raptor, who entertained the crowd with a combination of popular music and patriotic songs including, "You Will Be Sorry," "Let the Torch of Freedom Burn" and "God Bless the USA."

However, the highlight of the night came when General Shanahan and Chief Master Sgt. Lisa A. Sirois, 55th Wing command chief, took center stage to announce the award winners.

With the announcement of every name, loud cheers and applause once again filled the room.

Senior Airman Rashad ElJurdi, a medical logistician with the 55th Medical Support Squadron, was named the Honor Guard Airman of the Year. When his name was announced he jumped from his seat, raised his hands in the air and shouted, "Yes!"

"This moment is one of the greatest of my life," Airman ElJurdi said.

A smile covered his face as he explained what being named Honor Guard Airman of the Year meant.

"This award means a lot to me, I know this is something I'll carry with me for a long time, and will help me get where I want to be later in my career," Airman ElJurdi said.

While winning the award felt great, Airman ElJurdi said, he can't take all the credit.

"I wouldn't be here without the support of my co-workers, friends and most importantly my wife," he said. "My family being there for me is what made this award possible."

Airman ElJurdi's wife, Jasmin, was at the awards dinner to support her husband. Smiling from ear to ear she shared how proud she is of him.

"I know about all of his efforts, motivation (and) his mentality and I know he's worked really hard for this and he deserves it," Mrs. ElJurdi said.

In 2009, Airman ElJurdi satisfied a one-year commitment serving the Offutt Honor Guard. During that time, he performed military funerals, ceremonies and other details every two weeks, many times far from home.

The 2009 Non-commissioned Officer of the Year, Staff Sgt. Bernard Byer Jr., a network administrator with the 390th Intelligence Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, said winning the award was a humbling experience.

"I work with a lot of great people and I've seen how different (Air Force specialties) interact and the sacrifices they make," Sergeant Byer said. "I know if we weren't doing our mission, people wouldn't be able to communicate, but at the same time, I know the fliers and other operational team members (work) long hours and (spend a lot of) time away from family.

"I like being in the same category with people who have done great things, it feels good to be recognized, but, it's not about me, everybody works hard," Sergeant Byer added.

Sharing the moment with Sergeant Byer was his father, Bernard Byer Sr., who traveled from Queens, N.Y., to attend the ceremony.

Mr. Byer said, traveling more than 1,000 miles to support his son was something he had to do.

"He spends so much time away, Korea, Japan, Louisiana and it takes so little to (show) support, which I think is vital, (because) being away from home is tough," Mr. Byer said. "I'm going to be there for him 100 percent."

This wasn't the first time Mr. Byer has traveled a great distance to support his son. In February 2006, he flew to Barksdale AFB, La., to attend a ceremony where then Senior Airman Byer won Airman of the Month.

"Saying I'm proud (of my son) is an understatement," Mr. Byer said. "He's always pushing to do better and striving for excellence, he embodies hard work and dedication. I'm 100-percent proud of him."

Sergeant Byer said the support of his family, especially his wife, Staff Sgt. LaTraya Byer with the 18th Communications Squadron, helped him get to where he is today.

"I wouldn't be able to do (any of) this without my wife," he said. "It takes a very special woman to deal with the hours I keep, I'm not the only person sacrificing in the family; we sacrifice together."

At the end of the ceremony, General Shanahan thanked the supervisors, co-workers and family members who helped each award winner.

The general also thanked all of the nominees for doing everything they could to make the 55th what it is and said that one thing bound all the nominees and award winners together.

"I met all the nominees and the one thing that stood (out) among them was pride," General Shanahan said. "Pride in the mission, pride in what they do every day, pride in the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth, thanks to all the nominees and award winners for all (they) did in 2009.

"(Last year) was a fantastic year but I'm convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt 2010 will be even better, because of what this organization does day in and day out," General Shanahan said.

Congratulations to the 2009 55th Wing annual award winners.

Airman of the Year: Senior Airman Kristy Overton, 55th Aerospace Medical Squadron

NCO of the Year: Staff Sgt. Bernard Byer, 390th Intelligence Squadron

Senior NCO of the Year: Master Sgt. Harry Menard, 55th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

First Sergeant of the Year: Master Sgt. Randy Norwood, 55th Force Support Squadron

Honor Guard Airman of the Year: Senior Airman Rashad ElJurdi, 55th Medical Support Squadron

Honor Guard NCO of the Year: Staff Sgt. Henry Geigenmiller, 55th Wing

Company Grade Officer of the Year: Capt. Alicia King, 38th Reconnaissance Squadron

Field Grade Officer of the Year: Maj. Lance Benson, 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron

Junior Civilian of the Year: Carolyn Johnson, 55th Communications Squadron

Intermediate Civilian of the Year: Lucas Lechtenberg, 55th Civil Engineering Squadron

Senior Civilian of the Year: Kevin Dowell, 55th Force Support Squadron

Volunteer of the Year: Master Sgt. Alfred Dawson, 55th Strategic Communications Squadron

(Editor's Note: At the conclusion of the awards ceremony, there was a Stripes for Excellence Performers promotion. More information about this promotion will be released soon.)