ASYMCA celebrates military with event

Photo By Staff Sgt. Caitlin Russell | Ashley McGraw, a Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Army spouse, receives the Armed Services YMCA’s of Alaska Military Spouse of the Year award during the ASYMCA’s 42nd annual Salute to the Military at the Egan Center in Anchorage, Alaska, Feb. 16, 2019. The three-day event honors 12 exceptional enlisted service members, from each of the active-duty branches, National Guard, and Reserve. The annual Salute to the Military kicked off with a meet-and-greet for the honorees, ASYMCA partners and senior leadership, and finished with the official ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Caitlin Russell)  

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, UNITED STATES

02.21.2019

Story by Airman 1st Class Caitlin Russell 

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson   

The Armed Services YMCA hosted the 42nd annual Salute to the Military at the Egan Center, Anchorage, Alaska, Feb. 16, 2019.
“The annual Salute to the Military is a three-day event held to honor twelve exceptional enlisted service members, from each of the active-duty branches, Guard, and Reserve,” said Sara Riffer, ASYMCA executive director. “We kicked off the event on Thursday with a meet-and-greet for the honorees, partners and senior leadership. Friday, we gathered for breakfast and a party later that evening. And Saturday included a rehearsal, followed by the official ceremony.
“Overall, the event is a great way to establish cross-talk between the community and our service members,” Riffer said.
Honorees included U.S. Army Cpl. Michael D’Angelo and Staff Sgt. Joshua Heining, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Pastore and Sgt. Steven AmnatkeoLee, U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Kesewante Nebiye and Petty Officer 3rd Class Brian Chilton Jr., U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Natalia Miracle and Senior Airman Jee Hang, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Madison Heiler and Petty Officer 2nd Class Lucas Ellis, Alaska Air National Guard Senior Airman Benny Orallo, and Alaska Army National Guard Spc. Sychelle Gonsalves.
Since the Navy League’s conception of the ASYMCA in 1977, the program has annually honored all branches of service and has become the longest-running annual event hosted by a non-profit organization.
The event featured keynote speaker, Admiral Charles Ray, vice commandant of the United States Coast Guard; and the Master of Ceremonies, country music icon and TV personality Craig Morgan.
“These outstanding military members have won various titles and awards after participating in interviews, board appearances and professional testing,” Morgan said. “We’re thankful to have them serving here in Alaska, and feel honored to recognize them tonight.”
The ASYMCA also honored Ashley McGraw, a Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson military spouse, whose support and dedication to her service member, family, and community exemplified the ideal of “service before self.” McGraw was chosen through a community nomination and selection process.
Throughout the event, the ASYMCA ensured that military members and spouses were celebrated for their dedication and achievements.

• Date Taken: 02.21.2019
• Date Posted: 02.21.2019 19:14
• Story ID: 311543
• Location: JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, US