Greater Military Appreciation Banquet recognizes servicemembers

by Airman 1st Class Andrea Thacker
Thunderbolt editor

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Military Appreciation Banquet March 14 at the Wyndham Harbor Island Hotel. The banquet recognizes the civic participation by military personnel in the Tampa Bay community. Gen. John Handy, U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command commander, was the guest speaker.

This year, 18 servicemembers were honored for their outstanding service during 2002. Receiving awards were:

Military Civilian Employee of the Year
Christopher E. Kernan, U.S. Special Operations Command Acquisition attorney

Army Military Citizen of the Year
Lt. Col. John H. Ingraham, Jr. U.S. Central Command Intelligence officer

Army Reserve/Guard Military Citizen of the Year
Maj. William S. Olivia, U.S. SOCOM staff officer for Counter Drug Operations

U.S. Army Recruiter of the Year
Staff Sgt. Ricardo J. Ibanez, Temple Terrace Army Recruiting Station

Marine Military Citizen of the Year
Staff Sgt. Michael J. Gmerek, U.S. SOCOM Strategic Intelligence analyst

U.S. Marine Corps Recruiter of the Year
Staff Sgt. Michael E. Droberg, Temple Terrace Recruiting Substation

Navy Military Citizen of the Year
Chief Debra Roetzer, U.S. CENTCOM electronics technician

Navy Reserve Military Citizen of the Year
Capt. David Olson, U.S. CENTCOM chief of plans

U.S. Navy Recruiter of the Year
Petty Officer Stangela C. Albertie, Navy Recruiting District Miami

Coast Guard Military Citizen of the Year
Boatswains Mate Second Class Leeland F. Chapman, Marine Safety Office Tampa

Coast Guard Reserve Military Citizen of the Year
SK1 Laoretta Sassin, Tampa Bay Recruiting Office

Air Force Military Citizen of the Year
Master Sgt. Ronald Grant, U.S. CENTCOM Special Security Office Information Management superintendent

Air Force Reserve Military Citizen of the Year
Lt. Col. Alan J. Lynch, U.S. CENTCOM financial manager

U.S. Air Force Recruiter of the Year
Staff Sgt. Carl E. Nixon, 333rd Recruiting Squadron, Patrick AFB, Fl.

Senior ROTC Cadets of the Year
Army Cadet Chris Stone, University of Tampa
Army Cadet Sean Penaranda, University of South Florida
Air Force Cadet Shannon J. Maguire, University of South Florida

JROTC Essay Winner
Marine Cadet Hawkins, Chamberlain High School, Tampa Fl.

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