News

Navy League, ESGR recognize McChord Reservist

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Patrick Cabellon
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  The Lake Washington Council of the Navy League and Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve honored enlisted military troops with the Enlisted of the Year Award at the Bob Curran Memorial Breakfast. Master Sgt. Jeffery Barsaloux, 446th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, was chosen to represent the 446th Airlift Wing. The breakfast was held at the Red Lion Hotel in Bellevue, Wash., on May 14. 

"It was an honor to receive the very first annual Enlisted of the Year award," said Sergeant Barsaloux. 

Other branches of the military were represented including: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The awards were given to the enlisted troops present at the breakfast.
Col. Lisa Tank, 446th AW vice commander, was present at the breakfast when Sergeant Barsaloux received his award. 

"The whole experience was great, the community was very gracious to give all of (the troops) the award," said Sergeant Barsaloux. 

The award was given to enlisted troops who have upheld their duty as defenders of our country, leading by good example and work ethic, said Ken Sparks, state military outreach director of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve for Lake Washington Council of the Navy League. Each branch was asked to choose an enlisted trooper who was a representation of the people in that branch of service.

The Lake Washington Council of the Navy League purposefully scheduled the breakfast during the same week as Armed Forces Day to make the award ceremony more momentous, said Mr. Sparks. 

"The breakfast was very, very nice," said Sergeant Barsaloux. "(The breakfast) included families; my wife was with me and we both enjoyed it." 

The breakfast was held in celebration of Bob Curran, a retired Army major. Curran was rooted in his community. Curran encouraged military involvement in Seattle community functions and introduced military leaders to the city's civilian community. Curran passed away in 2006, at the age of 88.