2006: Duke Field newsletter is best in DOD

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Alyson Smith, Midnight Express - June 2006
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  (Editor's Note: This story is republished as a historic tribute to the 919th Special Operations Wing's Midnight Express newspaper, which goes out of print beginning this month.)

Defense Information School officials honored members of the 919th Special Operations Wing's Public Affairs team during a ceremony May 5 at Fort Meade, Md. 

They were the winners of the 2005 Thomas Jefferson Award for the best newsletter in the Department of Defense. The Thomas Jefferson Awards are presented annually for the best submissions from each military service in broadcasting, videography, photography and journalism. 

To compete at the DOD level, Duke Field's Midnight Express newsletter had to first win best in Air Force, and before that, at Air Force Reserve Command. When they found out they had won at Air Force-level in March, they considered themselves strong contenders for the Thomas Jefferson Award, said Sandie Henry, editor of the "Midnight Express" since 2001. 

"We were just holding our breath that whole time waiting to see if we won or not," Ms. Henry said. "We're all just thrilled that we did." 

This is the first Thomas Jefferson Duke's newsletter has won. The newsletter has been published since 1971, although under various names to reflect the wing's changing mission. It is mailed out monthly to keep all the wing's reservists informed. 

Maj. Beena Maharaj, former chief of public affairs at Duke Field, said they use the newsletter as a morale tool as well, striving to highlight each of the wing's units. 

"Our goal wasn't necessarily to win, but we bumped up our expectations every year," she said. 

Putting together the newsletter was a team effort, Ms. Henry said. Many talented individuals contributed. 

Jasmine DeNamur wrote articles and produced most of the paper's graphics, and 1st Lt. Marnee Losurdo set up the template for the design and always contributed however possible. Reservists Staff Sgt. Lena King and Senior Airman Erik Hofmeyer also contributed, she said. 

"I was glad to see the newsletter win," Lieutenant Losurdo said. "It's nice to see the hard work we put into it recognized at that level." 

Major Maharaj said her "winning team" worked well together and knew each other's strengths. 

"We won because everybody gave 100 percent," Major Maharaj said. "It's hard to believe we had a lot of fun along the way too, working as hard as we did."