Duke Field NCO represents wing at local military salute

  • Published
  • By Dan Neely
  • 919th Special Operations Wing
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  One of Duke Field's top performers represented the 919th Special Operations Wing at a local community salute to the military, July 2.

Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Alexander, a 919th Civil Engineer Squadron environmental controls journeyman and the wing's 2008 NCO of the Year, took center stage at Harborwalk Village's Red, White and Blue Celebration on Destin Harbor.

The organizers honor selected local military standouts in the celebrations held weekly during the summer. According to Harborwalk Village officials, the event celebrates the efforts of people who go above and beyond to make their community better.

Accompanied by wing leadership representative Lt Col. Patricia Brewer, 919th Support Group deputy commander, Sergeant Alexander stood proudly before a mixed audience of more than 100 local community and tourist well-wishers as the event's emcee lauded her unit and community achievements. She was later presented with an honorary key to the city of Destin.

Moments before stepping up to the stage, the Duke Field NCO was interviewed by local radio station 105.5-FM "The Wolf" about her military career and motivations for becoming an Air Force reservist. The interview was later broadcast over the station's airwaves and the Harborwalk Village public address system.

"I joined, not only because it's a family affair" -- both her parents and other family members are military veterans -- "but I also felt it was important to support our country," she said. "And just knowing we're the best nation in the world, the only way to make that happen is to support it. For me, that's the most important, plus the educational benefits aren't bad either."

Sergeant Alexander was asked what she enjoys most about her military duties, which include pest management within and a host of environmental stewardship responsibilities.

"We work with all types of animals, including venomous snakes, insects, any type of mammals ... so the ability to work with a variety of species is just incredible. And here in the state of Florida, we have everything you can imagine. (We do) anything we can to help out with the environment and educate the public on what we have here and what we can do to take care of them."

Later she was asked what her family thought about her special recognition as a Harborwalk Village "hero."

"I just know they love that I'm in the military and they're so proud of me," she said. "The fact that I'm here as a hero, to them I was already a hero, so now that I'm being recognized, they couldn't have been prouder."

Along with her primary duties, Sergeant Alexander serves as a physical training leader, is an active member of Duke Field's Focus 5/6 organization and is a certified CPR instructor. Appropriate to her unit's nearly routine work with deadly reptiles, she recently earned her certification in venomous snake handling. Additionally, she has served as a team leader during Ability To Survive and Operate exercises.

Duke Field will be represented again Aug. 20 as Senior Airman Randi Ferebee, a member of the 919th Mission Support Flight and the wing's 2008 Airman of the Year, will be honored. The event is free and open to all, including free parking. Wing members and their families are encouraged to attend and show their support.