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Fairchild, Guard Airmen recognized as Hometown Heroes

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Veronica Montes
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Three Team Fairchild Airmen, along with a team from the 141st Air National Guard, were recognized Nov. 12, at the 11th Annual American Red Cross Honoring Hometown Heroes Luncheon in Airway Heights, Washington.

More than 600 Spokane community and service members were in attendance as these heroes were honored for their significant accomplishments and positive impacts on the lives of others.

Receiving the awards were:

- Staff Sgt. Garret Wright, 66th Training Squadron Search Evasion Resistance and Escape specialist
- Staff Sgt. Joshua Haun, 141st Maintenance Squadron integrated electronics technician
- Senior Airman Nicole Holland, 141st Medical Group medical technician
- Members of the 141st Homeland Response Force team

Wright received the Local Disaster Hero award for his critical assistance in helping to extricate a family from their damaged home following a major storm. He said he was humbled, but proud to receive such an honor.

"This was definitely an experience I am not used to, but it was really great to see everyone coming together, and seeing a community like the Red Cross supporting all the other communities," Wright said.  "It feels good, it's a good experience, and I am glad I could help."

Haun received the Water Rescue Hero award for his immediate decisive actions in rescuing two potential drowning victims in Silver Lake, about 250 miles from Fairchild.

"It was a great experience being here for the American Red Cross and I appreciate everything that they did for me. It was nice being recognized even though I don't think I deserved it; I just did what I think everyone else would do," Haun said.

Holland received the Military Hero award for her lifesaving administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation to a stranger in a restaurant, as well as her commitment to her community through a variety of volunteer activities.

"It's overwhelming to be recognized for it because I don't feel like a hero, I was doing what I've been trained to do," said Holland. "I credit it all to the military, being able to think on your feet, and I was just blown away when I found out I was nominated."

Members from the 141st Homeland Response Force received the Community Partner Hero award for their efforts in supporting relief and recovery efforts following the Oso landslide in March, 2014.

"I was very proud of the team, they did an unbelievable job up there. Some days it was tough to bring them back in, they didn't want to leave the debris field," said Lt. Col. Curtis Puckett 141st Civil Engineer Squadron commander and member of the response force team. "I couldn't be more proud of those guys."

Among these heroes from Fairchild, eight other individuals from the community were recognized for their heroic acts and positive impacts to others.

"Today we celebrate your service, thank you all for your service, and today we recognize the heroes among us," said David Condon, Spokane mayor. "But it's the thousands of veterans who are also heroes, as well as the active duty members who are heroes day in and day out."