Barksdale Airmen recognized for volunteerism

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mike Andriacco
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARSKDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Two Barksdale Airmen accepted an award for volunteerism on behalf of the base during a ceremony hosted by Louisiana Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne in Baton Rouge, Oct. 24, 2013.

Col. Leland Bohannon, 2nd Bomb Wing vice commander, and Senior Master Sgt. Anita Lyons, 2nd Medical Group superintendent, accepted the Sportsman's Paradise Champion of Service award on behalf of all Barksdale volunteers at the first-ever Volunteer Louisiana Champions of Service Gala.

The event was held in honor of Volunteer Louisiana's 20-year anniversary. The organization was established in 1993 in the Office of the lieutenant governor to rekindle the spirit of service and citizenship among the citizens of Louisiana.

"I am excited to honor Louisianans with strong service ethics," Dardenne said. "Volunteerism is vital for communities throughout the state to thrive and I encourage all Louisianans to give of their time and talents to enhance other's lives while also enhancing their own."

Barksdale stands out as a major volunteer force whenever needed.

"The men and women from Barksdale are the first to answer when a call for volunteers goes out in the Shreveport and Bossier City areas," said Janet Pace, Volunteer Louisiana executive director. "They are a visible and positive force throughout the community and do whatever is asked of them."

Barksdale Airmen have a long history of participating in the community and answering calls for assistance whenever asked.

"While Barksdale Air Force Base has an economic impact on these two communities, the true value lies in the people who call the base home temporarily or decide to retire there permanently," she said.

Bohannon and Lyons made the trip to accept the award personally on behalf of Barksdale volunteers to recognize the contributions of the Airmen to the base's neighboring communities.

In the last two years more than 300 Airmen gave their time to help with 61 community events with the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau.

"Our mission is to provide a premier fighting force for the commander-in-chief," Bohannon said. "Our Airmen work hard and the successful prosecution of our mission is a testament to that, but what I find amazing is when I see our Airmen consistently living out the Air Force core value of 'service before self' both in their units as well as in the communities they call home."