Photo By Tech. Sgt. Madison Scaringe | Travis St. Louis, the Exalted Ruler of the Scotia Glenville Elks, and Colleen Casey,...... read more read more
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STRATTON ANGB, N.Y. – Colleen Casey, the 109th Airlift Wing’s Military and Family Readiness Manager, has been named Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Scotia Glenville Elks.
The award, presented during the group's annual award ceremony on March 25, 2025, was presented in honor of Casey’s service and commitment to community support, according to the Elks.
“What Mrs. Casey does for Stratton Air National Guard Base and for the service men and women and their children is truly generous. She checked every box on my list for someone who I thought deserved this award,” said Travis St. Louis, the Exalted Ruler of the Scotia Glenville Elks.
As the manager of the Military and Family Readiness office, Casey serves as a central hub for resources and referrals. She regularly answers questions about deployments, finances, transitioning from the military and finding local resources.
"This award recognizes a true champion of our Airmen and their families,” said Chief Master Sgt. Karolyn De Vito, command chief of the 109th Airlift Wing. “Colleen embodies the spirit of service, dedicating herself to ensuring our members have the resources and support they need to thrive, both professionally and personally, throughout their military journey. We are proud to have her on our team.”
The award comes after working in the position for over 10 years.
“I know I am appreciated – I receive many heartfelt thanks and words of praise daily. But this is the first tangible award I have received. It’s hard to explain how wonderful it feels to be recognized in person,” Casey said.
Casey works closely with national, state and local agencies to stay up to date on what resources are available for service members and their families.
This past year, she assisted the Scotia Glenville Elks in an effort to provide backpacks and school supplies to service members’ children.
“Colleen is a very humble person. It’s nice to know there are still people out there that genuinely care for military members and the youth. She doesn’t do it for the praise, but just from the goodness of her heart,” St. Louis said.
Casey also mentors six new Airman and Family Readiness Program Managers throughout the northeast and the Virgin Islands.
With nine core services to master, the role can be overwhelming for newcomers, Casey explained.
“I’ve had new managers in tears, feeling frustrated and ready to quit,” she said. “I remember being in that exact place 10 years ago—learning everything on my own. It’s incredibly rewarding to be the person who helps them through it and encourages them to keep going.”
Her passion for service is deeply rooted, as she comes from a proud military family. Her father was a Navy veteran, her husband a retired Army Sergeant Major, and several of her children currently serve in the New York Air National Guard.
“This award isn’t just about my job at the 109th—it reflects a lifetime as a military spouse and mother,” she said.
Casey feels equipped to help airmen and their families through different military seasons because she’s been through them too, she said.
“I understand having family members deploy, leave for Basic Training and attend schools for long periods of time. I’ve lived it myself. I like to think that through my experiences, I can help members and their families make it through,” she said.
Reflecting on one of her family’s most challenging times, Casey recalled her husband’s 12-month deployment to Kuwait. He struggled with loneliness and homesickness, often reaching out to her multiple times a day.
“At the time, I was raising three children and juggling an incredibly demanding job that had me traveling nearly every weekend,” she said. “I was always torn – do I take his calls or not? I felt very guilty if I didn’t. I was his lifeline to home.”
Casey shared that deployments took on a new emotional weight when her children deployed.
“When my husband was deployed, I trusted his training and didn’t fear for his safety. But when it was my children, it was completely different,” she said. “As a mother, the worry never stopped. It was a whole new set of emotions.”
Because she’s lived through the same challenges, Casey can connect with military families in a personal and meaningful way, she said.
“When I give my family programs brief to members and families before a deployment, I am honest and talk about my experiences,” she said. “I do what I can to make the transition easier.”
A rewarding moment that stood out to Casey happened during the holiday season through the Trees for Troops program, which donates Christmas trees to military families.
After helping one member receive a tree, she received an emotional email thanking her—it was the family’s first Christmas together in two years due to deployments, and they couldn’t afford a tree.
“I kept that email,” Casey said. “It reminded me of the good we do. Every day is rewarding. I truly have the most fulfilling job.”
| Date Taken: | 06.06.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.06.2025 12:49 |
| Story ID: | 499856 |
| Location: | SCOTIA, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 307 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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