Armed Forces Persons of the Year Print E-mail
The community honored the 2012 Armed Forces Persons of the Year today at the Let Freedom Ring Luncheon at the Red Lion Hotel at the Park.

The nominees and winners are:

Junior Guard/Reserve Category
  • Senior Airman Christopher Clayton - Washington Air National Guard
  • Lance Corporal Nicholas Gerke - United States Marine Corps Reserve
  • Sergeant Andrew Patrick - Washington Army National Guard
  • Sergeant Phillip Siers - Washington Army National Guard
  • Senior Airman Tonya N. Swyers - Washington Air National Guard
Winner: Sergeant Andrew Patrick - Washington Army National Guard
(Bio - PDF)

Senior Guard/Reserve Category
  • Senior Master Sergeant Joel R. Dauer - Washington Air National Guard
  • Staff Sergeant Trevor Gaia - Washington Army National Guard
  • Staff Sergeant Jason J. Heath - United States Marine Corps Reserve
  • Sergeant First Class Timothy Ludwig - Washington Army National Guard
Winner: Staff Sergeant Trevor Gaia - Washington Army National Guard
(Bio - PDF)

Junior Active Duty Category
  • Electronics Technician Second Class Petty Officer Ty Coyne - United States Navy
  • Staff Sergeant Scott J. Flowers - United States Air Force
  • Senior Airman Ariella S. Lewis - United States Air Force
  • Sergeant David P. Semivrazhnov - United States Marine Corps
Winner: Senior Airman Ariella S. Lewis - United States Air Force
(Bio - PDF)

Senior Active Duty Category
  • Senior Master Sergeant Dawn Altmaier - United States Air Force
  • Master Sergeant Joseph Brownell - United States Air Force
  • Hospital Corpsman First Class Eric Guptill - United States Navy
  • Hospital Corpsman First Class Devin M. McConnell - United States Navy
Winner: Senior Master Sergeant Dawn Altmaier - United States Air Force
(Bio - PDF)

Nominees were interviewed by a panel of judges selected from the business community. Interview criteria consisted of:
  • Responsibilities and accomplishments
  • Ability of self-expression
  • Appearance, poise and courtesy
  • Leadership qualities
  • Education and training
  • Decorations, awards and honors
  • Community involvement and civic activities
Originally called the "Armed Forces Persons of the Year Awards Luncheon," the Let Freedom Ring Luncheon celebrated military excellence for the 56th year.

Ezra Eckhardt, President and C.O.O. of Sterling Bank and a West Point graduate, and Lt. Col. Dale Storr, a former prisoner of war and current co-owner of Riverpoint Pharmacy and the Hi Neighbor Tavern, were the event's keynote speakers.