403rd Wing Reservist honored for volunteerism

Photo By Brian Lamar | Master Sgt. Spring Winters, a unit training supervisor for the 403rd Maintenance Group, receives the military individual volunteer of the year award during the 32nd Annual City of Biloxi, Miss. Volunteer Recognition ceremony at the Biloxi Civic Center April 21 from City of Biloxi Mayor Robert Deming and Col. Susan Airola-Skully, the 81st Training Wing Mission Support Group commander.  

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MS, UNITED STATES

04.21.2015

Courtesy Story

403rd Wing

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE BILOXI, MISS -- Master Sgt. Spring Winters, a unit training manager with the 403rd Maintenance Group, received the military individual volunteer of the year award during the 32nd Annual City of Biloxi, Miss. Volunteer Recognition ceremony at the Biloxi Civic Center April 21.

Winters was awarded the honor for her volunteerism with the Gulf Coast Search and Rescue organization where she teamed up with her German Shepard, Rico. For her dedication, Winters was placed in charge of the kayak division to search for citizens who had gone missing. She also was recognized for her efforts with the Queen Louise Children's Home in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.

"I am honored to receive an award like this. I have not received anything like this before," Winters said.

Winters' interest in volunteering for search and rescue was sparked one afternoon, March 13, 2013, as she turned on the news to learn two fellow kayakers from the Mississippi Gulf Coast area had gone missing in the chilly waters of nearby Davis Bayou while out on a father-son fishing trip. She immediately began to find out how she could help, knowing the temperature, which had been hovering in the upper 40's was due to plummet at nightfall.

"Hearing about the two missing Mississippians in Davis Bayou resonated with me because I am also a part of the local kayak community and that is where my interest with Gulf Coast Search and Rescue began," Winters said.

Since that day, Winters has searched for dozens of missing citizens and during Winter Storm Leon, she manned phones for the Harrison County Emergency Operations Center.

Although her interests in search and rescue began in 2013, her generous spirit has been constant since she was a child. Winter's early years were tough as a foster child, but she remembers the kindness that she received.

"I remember a small pile of clothes lying on the bed for me when I arrived to a new home one time," she said. "When I was at my most vulnerable time in my life, strangers reached out to me to help me. I will never forget that and that is why I will always want to help others," Winters explained.

To pay the kindness forward she received as a child, Winters began helping organizing annual Christmas donations of school supplies, toys and clothes to the Queen Louise Children's Home in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands when the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron arrive in December to pack their forward-deployed equipment at the end of hurricane season.

"We truly appreciate the assistance from Spring. She has been so helpful. We look forward to the donations every year. The everyday items that the children get are very needed," said Diana Arthurton, the Assistant Director for Queen Louise.

According to 403rd Wing Leadership, Winters embodies a vital essence of what it takes to serve the nation as a great U.S. Air Force Reservist.

"Master Sgt. Winters is an example for all of us to look to. With her dedication to the people around her, she brings credit to not only herself, but to the 403rd Wing and to the Air Force Reserve. I am proud to serve alongside this servant leader. Spring represents the selfless "service before self" attitude our Airman and families provide our great country," said Col. Frank Amodeo, the 403rd Wing commander.

• Date Taken: 04.21.2015
• Date Posted: 12.30.2016 11:43
• Story ID: 219065
• Location: KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MS, US