Military Times honors 2019 Service Members of the Year in DC

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Navy Times by Kristine Froeba 7/12/2019

Recipients of the Military Times’ 18th annual Service Members of the Year awards were honored Wednesday night in Washington.

The event recognized one top service member from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard who have displayed exceptional commitment to service — both in and out of uniform.

“Tonight’s honorees go a little further, endure a little longer, and look a little closer at how he or she can add to the effort," said keynote speaker Sen. Joni Ernst, a Republican from Iowa and an Army combat veteran. “They don’t do it for themselves, and they certainly don’t do it for the recognition, they do it for a greater good, and they do it for their comrades, for their families, and for their neighbors,” she said.

Drawing a host of top Pentagon officials, lawmakers from Capitol Hill and leaders from military advocacy groups, the awards were given at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on the National Mall, several blocks from the White House. It was hosted by a not-for-profit affiliate of the Military Times known as the Military Charity Organization.

The five branch-specific service members who received the awards were: Army Spc. Shayn Lindquist, Marine Master Sgt. Jarad Stout, Navy Master Chief Raina Hockenberry, Air Force Tech Sgt. Cody Smith and Coast Guard Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Nathan Reynolds.

The 2019 ceremony also recognized veteran soldier Adam Keys, who received the Veteran of the Year Award, and former Army officer Patrick McKenna, who received the Chairman’s Veteran Achievement Award.

Soldier of the Year

After being diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2017, Army Spc. Shayn Linquist fought cancer and continued to train with his Army unit. He is now cancer free.
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Marine of the Year

Marine Raider Master Sgt. Jarad Stout, the Marine of the Year, was deployed to West Africa in 2015 when he helped lead a quick and decisive response against al-Qaida militants who attacked the Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali, helping to rescue 150 hostages.---
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Sailor of the Year

Master Chief Raina Hockenberry, the Sailor of the Year, was honored for her strength of will and perseverance that brought her back to the active-duty fleet — despite what could have been a career-ending injury. After surviving an attack in Afghanistan, she says she chose to get back to work. Today, Hockenberry, personnel specialist, is continuing her career at sea aboard the guided-missile cruiser Port Royal.
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Airman of the Year

Tech Sgt. Cody Smith, the Airman of the Year, was introduced by Ernst, R-Iowa, who honored his courageous actions in a 17-hour-long firefight that resulted in helping to save the lives of more than 130 Americans and Afghans. Smith and the close-air support strikes he provided helped bring his entire team of Army special operations soldiers home safely in 2018 despite the massive attack from 600 Taliban fighters. For that mission, Smith was nominated for Silver Star.
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Coast Guardsmen of the Year

Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Nathan Reynolds, the Coast Guardsman of the Year, was honored for his courageous service and lifetime waterman’s dedication to search and rescue missions. In the past few months alone, he has saved nine lives in the Chesapeake Bay.
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Veteran of the Year

The Military Times Veteran of the Year award honors an exceptional veteran who makes a difference in their community, sets an example for others and raises awareness on military and veterans’ issues. Adam Keys is one of those veterans.
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Chairman’s Veteran Achievement Award

Patrick McKenna was awarded the Chairman’s Veteran Achievement Award for his service both as a soldier and as a civilian. "Service doesn’t end at separation,” is his personal mantra.

more: https://www.navytimes.com/2019/07/12/military-times-honors-2019-service-members-of-the-year-in-dc/