McChord Reservist nominated for GEICO military award

Award recognizes outstanding service in local community

By Sandra Pishner on October 25, 2012

(446th AW PA) - A loadmaster with the 97th Airlift Squadron at McChord Field is the Air Force Reserve's nominee in GEICO's search for the top volunteer in each branch of the military as part of its Military Service Awards program.

Master Sgt. Woodson Wright, a traditional Reservist loadmaster, is nominated for the award in the fire safety and fire prevention category.

"I'm my squadron's safety supervisor, and it's great to be recognized," said Wright. "I keep the squadron up-to-date on fire safety prevention through inspections, briefings and just keeping on of ensuring we're safe."

The awards program, in its 25th year, honors one enlisted member from each of the five military services and one enlisted member from the Guard/Reserve forces for their outstanding service to their military or civilian community.

"Too often enlisted military members make outstanding contributions to the public good that go unknown and unrecognized beyond the boundaries of their immediate environment," Mike Baker, director of GEICO's military department, said in a GEICO news release.

"When we honor these six enlisted members for their valuable contributions to the community, we honor all enlisted members whose dedicated service on and off the job helps keep our country strong," he added.

Through each service's and DoD Reserve Affairs' established procedures, each activity may nominate enlisted members who have provided outstanding service to the military or civilian community through noteworthy achievements in one of the fields recognized by the GEICO Military Service Awards.

"As anyone in the squadron will tell you, I make sure they know they're held accountable for keeping the squadron safe," said Wright.

Awards are presented in three categories: drug and alcohol abuse prevention, fire safety and fire prevention, and traffic safety and accident prevention.

Each winner will receive a $2,500 cash award from the GEICO Philanthropic Foundation and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., from wherever they are serving, and they will be honored at a recognition celebration with military officials and GEICO representatives.

The 2012 GEICO Military Service Awards ceremony will be held April 29, 2013.

Photo: Master Sgt. Woodson Wright, 97th Airlift Squadron loadmaster at McChord Field, is Air Force Reserve Command’s nominee for the GEICO Military Service Award, fire safety and fire prevention category.