927th Air Refueling Wing members receive awards at the annual Military Appreciation Banquet

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Denise Hauser
  • 927 Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Tampa of Commerce hosted a Military Appreciation Banquet at the Marriott Waterside on Feb. 16, 2010. The event was held to honor the Tampa Bay community's military personnel.

Two 927th Air Refueling Wing members were awarded and recognized for their accomplishments. Master Sgt. Kevin M. French, the In-Service Recruiter for the Air Force Reserve Command was awarded the Air Force Recruiter of the Year. Senior Airman Angela McNealy-Simmons, a medical logistics journeyman assigned to the 45th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, received the Air Force Reserve Military Citizen of the Year award.

Master Sgt. French's recruiting goal in 2009 was 44, he accessed 102. He recruited members for the 927th Air Refueling Wing, helping them achieve 95 percent manning rate. French has a career production average of 217 percent and received the Colonel Mike Mungavin Award in 2009 for being the top recruiter in the Air Force Reserve Command.

Senior Airman McNealy-Simmons is a community activist.  She donated canned goods and made deliveries to the Metropolitan Ministries and sorted clothes, shoes and toys for distribution to the homeless in Hillsborough County.  She participated in the Breast Cancer Walk, raising money and managing fundraising booths.  McNealy-Simmons volunteered more than 200 hours as Team Mom for a little league football team for 30 at-risk children, ensuring they had nourishments each game.  She personally took six children under her wing, transporting them  to and from games and making house calls to ensure they had completed their homework.

Keynote speaker General Norton A. Schwartz, Chief of Staff, United States Air Force, spoke of the outstanding support MacDill Air Force Base receives from the Tampa Bay community, and the Tampa Chamber of Commerce.

Congratulations to the award winners, and their accomplishments within the Air Force Reserve and the community.