AFSA Chapter 211 honors McGuire members Published April 1, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Francis Lalic 21st Air Mobility Operations Squadron McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- The Air Force Sergeant Association Garden State Chapter 211 recognized its top performers during the annual honors and installation banquet March 26 at The Club. "The annual honors banquet is an opportunity for active-duty Airmen, retirees and civilians throughout the area to come together to recognize personal and professional achievements sponsored by AFSA," said Master Sgt. Suzanne Roe, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron and chapter president. "Being a professional organization, our existence is based on individuals with passion and drive to make a difference throughout the base and in our local community." Besides recognizing individual achievements, the annual event was held to induct the new executive council and present scholarships. During the ceremony, AFSA Division II president, JP Monahan, inducted the executive committee, which highlighted the event. "I am excited to serve alongside everyone," Sergeant Roe said. "We have an extremely talented and diverse team of people who are passionate about professional development. Enthusiasm is contagious, so if you are ready to get involved, AFSA is a great organization and we need your support." Col. Brian E. O'Connor, 621st Contingency Response Wing commander, was the guest speaker and shared his personal experiences with the banquet attendees during the event. "As a squadron commander and now a wing commander, I pride myself on allowing personnel to compete for or undertake an opportunity that is in their professional interest, even if that means our organization suffers some short-term pain because of it," the colonel said. "As members of AFSA, you demonstrate that you are committed to our Air Force and its Airmen," he said. "... We must always be aware of how we can better meet the needs of those personnel we are responsible for, and we must always strive to better ourselves." The award winners will represent Chapter 211 in Dover, Del., next month to compete for the AFSA Division II honors at the organization's convention, which includes chapters from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. AFSA is an international non-profit organization that represents Air Force active-duty enlistees and retirees, including Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. It is a federally-chartered association and voices the professional and personal interests of active duty and retired enlisted members of the Air Force. This year's scholarship and award recipients are as follows: Chief Master Sgt. (ret.) James L. Torrence Scholarship Award Corey Alan Wallace & Yolanda Laniece Coffey Edwin Mansberger Volunteer of the Year Award Master Sgt. Scott Krzysik U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center Legislative Individual Award Staff Sgt. Yarie Velez 87th Logistic Readiness Squadron Chapter Member of the Year Award Airman 1st Class Jennifer Palmer-Hill 87th Aeromedical Squadron AFSA Chapter 211 First-Term Airman of the Year Award Senior Airman Brian Buhrer 87th Services Squadron AFSA Chapter 211 Non Commissioned Officer of the Year Award Tech. Sgt. Gina Rich 87th SVS