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Fort honors its top military, civilian personnel during 2003

BY BILL HESS
Herald/Review

FORT HUACHUCA - Theresa Curtin was slightly emotional when she accepted the honor of being named the post's Civilian of the Year Friday night, one of eight people chosen for their outstanding work.

"All I can say is wow. I usually get appreciation from a crayon-drawn picture or a hug on my leg," said Curtin, who works with young children at the fort's New Beginnings Development Center.

She was presented the Commander's Award for Civilian Service by Maj. Gen. James Marks.

Marks, the commander of the Intelligence Center and Fort Huachuca, said the awardees exhibit the greatness of the post's people. The awardees, who were military members of all the services, were honored at the annual event recognizing the top people on the post, this group being for 2003.

The general said he would be short because his wife, Marty, reminded him of the Julius Caesar syndrome. With a broad smile on his face, Marks explained the situation.

It seems a boy was asked to write a paper about the Roman leader and read it in class. Of Julius Caesar, the boy said:" He was old, he was a general, he gave long speeches, he was killed."

Saying he did not want to suffer the latter, Marks said he was going to make sure his speech was short, since he did fit the two other categories - being old and a general.

Marks turned more serious and said, "We are a nation at war."

The global war on terrorism will last for a long time and the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines on the post will see much of the action, he said.

The fort is turning out young people who will be called to go to combat zones, many of them soldiers, who will leave the fort after completing their intelligence training and find themselves in harm's way in less than a month, Marks said.

For those who were being honored, he said they are the people who others look up to and will follow.

The Sailor of the Year was Petty Officer 1st Class William Mullis. He enlisted in the Navy in 1986 and arrived on the post in March 2003. He is an instructor and supervisor at the Navy's Center for Cryptology Detachment.

The Marine of the Year was Gunnery Sgt. Ryan Truitt. He enlisted in the Corps in July 1993 He arrived on the post in August 2000. He is a Morse code liaison and instructor.

Air Force Master Sgt. Robert Blankenship of the 314th Training Squadron was named the Air Force Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. He is the squadron's academic training advisor.

The Drill Sergeant of the Year was Staff Sgt. Vincent Ingallinera of the 309th Military Intelligence Battalion. Cisco Johnson of the 305th Military Intelligence Battalion and Joseph Casey of the 344th Military Intelligence Battalion at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, also competed for the award.

The Instructor of the Year was Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Scott who enlisted in the Army in 1986. He is an instructor with Company D, 309th Military Intelligence Battalion. Sgt. 1st Class William A. Benning II with Company A 306th Military Intelligence Battalion, Sgt. 1st Class James Alexander with the Noncommissioned Officers Academy and Staff Sgt. Daniel Parrotta with the Noncommissioned Officers Academy also competed for the honor.

The Soldier of the Year was Spc. Angela Hodge from the post medical activity who works out of the veterinary clinic at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, where she is the noncommissioned officer in charge of the clinic.

Spc. Cynthia Meadows of Headquarters Company, 111th Military Intelligence Brigade competed for the honor, too.

The Noncommissioned Officer of the Year was Sgt. Terrina Anderson of the 36th U.S. Army Band, where she is the clarinet section leader. She also has performed as a soloist with the Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra. Her competition included Sgt. Guy Claudy of the fort's medical activity, Staff Sgt. James Rubow of Company A 309th Military Intelligence Battalion, Staff Sgt. Deoneza Payne of Company A 306th Military Intelligence Battalion and Sgt. Rafael Diaz of Company E, 305th Military Intelligence Battalion.

Each honoree received gifts from local businesses, post groups and individuals.

Anderson, Hodge and Ingallinera also received Army Commendation Medals and Scott was presented the Military Intelligence Corps Association's Knowlton Award.