MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- Cherry Point held its annual civilian Marine awards ceremony at the Jerry Marvel Training and Education Building, March 2.
“During the ceremony, we recognize civilians who have made significant accomplishments in the areas of training and education,” said Brie Lehew, the deputy training officer for the air station. “This year, we recognized several civilians who obtained academic degrees. This is a significant accomplishment considering they work full-time and attend classes when they could be home with their families.”
Col. Douglas A. Denn, Cherry Point’s commanding officer, thanked the award recipients for their fierce loyalty and dedication. In total, more than 100 civilian Marines received recognition and career advancement certificates during the ceremony.
“All of you are able to successfully balance the work you do here with your personal lives extremely well,” said Denn. “That alone is incredibly admirable. You all deserve the honors you are receiving today.”
Special awards were given to five of Cherry Point’s employees for exceptional contributions in training and education.
Special awards included recognition as training coordinators of the year for Mary Taylor, an administrative assistant with the air station’s supply directorate, and Wanda Watts, a human resource technician.
LouAnn Mallady, a supervisory financial management analyst with the air station comptroller’s office and Sheldon Smith, a safety and occupational health specialist with the air station safety and standardization office, received mentor of the year awards.
Alicia Filzen, a physical environmental scientist at Cherry Point’s Environmental Affairs Office, was named instructor of the year.
“It’s a real honor being named instructor of the year,” Filzen said. “I was named training coordinator of the year in 2009, and it was one of my goals to receive this award.”
For Filzen, the interaction with the Marines aboard the air station has made her experience aboard Cherry Point worthwhile.
“The Marines here are very supportive of what we do,” Filzen said. “We are the backdrop of the Marine Corps. Its readiness could not be sustained as well as it is now without the civilian workers. These awards ceremonies really make us feel like we’re a valuable part of the Marine Corps.”