Photo By Senior Airman Daniel Meade | Major Jeffrey Bartz, Wing Chaplain of the 107 Attack Wing, poses with members of Grace...... read more read more
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NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION - N.Y.
Major Jeffrey Bartz, Wing Chaplain of the 107 Attack Wing, was awarded the 2023 Samuel Stone Award, recognizing him as the Chaplain of the Year for the entire Air National Guard.
The Samuel Stone Award, named after the first recorded Chaplain to serve in the militia of colonial America, is the highest honor a chaplain can receive in the field of military chaplaincy.
Bartz expressed his gratitude in earning the award, and shared his celebration with his fellow wingmen and teammates.
“It takes a team to win an award of this caliber,” Chaplain Bartz said, “and the caliber of the award is really a reflection of the caliber of the team.”
While Bartz himself was humbled to receive the award, the men and women of the 107th were not surprised.
Humble, personable and faithful are just a few of the words that were used to describe Bartz during the ceremony to receive his award, which was attended by more than 100 Airmen and civilians who he has impacted through his service as chaplain and pastor.
Liese Lynch, one of the civilians in attendance, as well as a congregant of Grace Baptist Church where Bartz pastors said, “When we were going through COVID, he recorded a video to us, his congregation, explaining what he was doing for us while also working for the 107th.”
She went on to describe Bartz as always working to better both of his worlds.
As the primary counselor and pastoral support to more than 750 Airmen and Guardian attached to the 107th Attack Wing, his impact is seen through the many deployments he has been a part of.
Most recently Bartz was involved in several New York State emergency deployments, including the New York National Guard response to the December 2022 Blizzard Elliot in Buffalo, New York.
“Chaplain Bartz was embedded with our Immediate Response Force and Fatality Search and Recovery Team in the field taking care of Airmen and residents in need.” Colonel Carlson, the Wing Commander of the 107th Attack Wing said.
Carlson continued to explain that Bartz’ involvement in the blizzard cleanup, the COVID mission, more than 100 wing-related functions, and his development of a First Sergeant Leadership Development Course, called “Conflict Transformation”, are among the many reasons he deserved and received the award.
“He epitomizes the selfless dedication required of our service and represents the very best of the United States Air Force Chaplain Corps,” Carlson concluded.
| Date Taken: | 06.03.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 06.07.2023 14:00 |
| Story ID: | 446240 |
| Location: | NIAGARA FALLS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AIR RESERVE STATION, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 235 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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