The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce honored our community’s military personnel at the 2018 Military Appreciation Awards on Thursday, February 15 presented by USAA. The Association of Defense Communities announced Tampa Bay as one of five Great American Defense Communities in the country. Corporal Michael Jernigan, USMC (Ret.) gave a keynote address and Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Chamber leaders recognized the contributions of our local service men and women. This event represented the 20th year the Chamber has recognized our local military personnel for outstanding contributions to the greater good of the Tampa Bay community.
The 2018 winners included:
Bob Cutler Volunteer Award: George Howell, Holland & Knight
U.S. Central Command Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Staff Sergeant Kyle Dalton
U.S. Central Command Officer of the Year: Colonel Matthew Ruedi
U.S. Special Operations Command Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Petty Officer First Class Sestlavie Bridges
U.S. Special Operations Command Officer of the Year: Chief Warrant Officer Three Austin Boone
U.S. Special Operations Command Civilian Employee of the Year: Mr. Paul Doucette
Joint Communications Support Element Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Technical Sergeant Sirenna Drummond
Joint Communications Support Element Officer of the Year: Captain Paul Martin
6th Air Mobility Wing Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Master Sergeant Myisher Perry
6th Air Mobility Wing Officer of the Year: Captain Michael Cox
6th Air Mobility Wing Civilian Employee of the Year is Ms. Patralynn Turner
927th Air Refueling Wing Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Technical Sergeant Rebecca Epperson
927th Air Refueling Wing Officer of the Year: Lieutenant Colonel Meredith Seeley
The University of Tampa ROTC Cadet of the Year: Cadet Emily Sanner
University of South Florida ROTC Cadet of the Year: Cadet Anna Bridges