Unsung Heroes proclaimed by AFA chapter

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Stuart Camp
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  "Unsung Hero" honors were bestowed on 13 Airmen and civilians by the local Air Force Association chapter at a luncheon Oct. 31 in The Soundside club. 

AFA Chapter 398 honored Tech. Sgts. Stephanie Constantine, 1st Special Operations Mission Support Squadron; Samuel Evans, 16th Special Operations Squadron; Anthony Fijalkowski, 1st Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron; James Isbell Jr., 1st Special Operations Component Maintenance Squadron; Staff Sgts. John Beck, 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron; Joseph Cook, 1st SOCMS; James Stillwell, 1st Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron; Elizabeth Wright, 1st Special Operations Security Forces Squadron; Senior Airmen Orlando Franco, 1st Special Operations Aerospace Medicine Squadron; Victoria Phillips, 8th SOS; Brooks Sadilek, 20th SOS; and civilians Robin Jones, 1st Special Operations Wing staff; and Antonio Lugo, 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron. 

"These young men and women epitomize the Commando spirit and are what makes our Air Force and its Airmen the best in the world," said Senior Master Sgt. Francis Dailey, coordinator for the Unsung Heroes program. "Each and every day, they give 100 percent to ensure the mission is met and their comrades are ready for the challenge ahead." 

The nature of the program honors those men and women who make things happen on the job without getting the accolades of a quarterly award or through formal recognition programs. 

Airman Franco admitted that this was the first work-related award he's received. 

Even in her moment to shine for achievements from a recent deployment, Sergeant Wright shared the spotlight with her coworkers. 

"I can name five other people who, I think, should have been in my shoes today," she said. 

The baker's dozen from the 1st Special Operations Wing received a plaque and a copy of the book "Apollo's Warriors" by Col. Michael Haas. 

Twice annually, Hurlburt Field's AFA chapter recognizes those "behind the scenes" Airmen and civilians as unsung heroes. The chapter has rewarded approximately 240 people through this program since it began 10 years ago. In six months, the unsung heroes program will select another group of Airmen and civilians from Hurlburt Field's partner units for their contributions to the Air Force mission.