Indy Veterans Day Council honors Grissom Airman’s service

Published Dec. 17, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Ben Mota
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Changing lives is something many aspire to accomplish and is an achievement that has garnered one Grissom Airman a prestigious award.

The Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis honored Tech. Sgt. Shannon Fuller, 434th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, with a 2012 Veterans Day Military Achievement Award for her years of dedication to the Air Force Core Value of "service before self."

"I was both proud and shocked when I was told that I had been nominated for the award," said Fuller, who serves as a medical readiness noncommissioned officer. "There are so many people on this base that do extraordinary things, so being nominated means a lot."

The Veterans Day Military Achievement Award is presented to individuals who have shown exemplary performance in their military careers. Fuller was one of two individuals from the 434th Air Refueling Wing to receive the award.

"As a guide, selection is based on ratings in the following categories: military performance, attendance, judgment, reliability, leadership, appearance, attitude and preparation for advancement," said Melissa Jacobs, Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis representative.

And, while Shannon Fuller was judged to be exemplary in all of those areas by 434th ARW leadership who nominated her for the award, she said she chooses to focus her military career on service.

"I try to be flexible and am willing to help with anything, but the most rewarding aspects of my job in the military are the opportunities to change lives," explained Fuller, who came to Grissom in 2008 after serving five years in the regular Air Force. "I have built sandbags to prevent floods in Grand Forks, N.D., and helped provide shelter for nationals that have been run out of their homes in Turkey.

"Along with those more tangible things, I have been able to change lives by simply showing support, mentoring and training my fellow Airmen," she added.

While Fuller gave credit to her military colleagues and leadership for helping her along the way, she said her father, a 23-year Air Force veteran, provided her a shining example of putting service before self.

"He always led by example and instilled in me the love for our country at a young age," she recalled.

As part of the honor, the Veterans Day Council invited Fuller to attend a formal awards banquet where she was presented with a special token in front of her husband, father and 434th Air Refueling Wing leadership.

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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Indy Veterans Day Council honors Grissom Airman's service

Indy Veterans Day Council honors Grissom Airman’s service

Public Affairs Staff