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BATTLESHIP WELCOMES USO HEROES ABOARD
Liberty USO Announces 2009 Military Service Members of the Year
Five Local Service Members To Visit the Big J on Friday Morning
CAMDEN WATERFRONT, NJ Sept. 29, 2009 – The Battleship New Jersey will welcome aboard the five recipients of the USO of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey (Liberty USO) 2009 Military Service Member of the Year Awards on Friday, Oct. 2, at 9:30 am.
These military men and women will be honored at “Heart of a Hero,” the 68th Liberty Gala, on Friday evening, October 4, at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia (Penn’s Landing). The annual awards, given to one service member from each of the five branches of the US Armed Services, is the highest military honor bestowed by the Liberty USO.
Liberty USO is proud to announce its 2009 Military Service Members of the Year: United States Air Force Master Sergeant (MSgt) Bubba Beason, Ft. Dix, NJ; United States Army Master Sergeant (MSG) Jonathan Smith, Red Lion, PA; United States Coast Guard Aviation Survival Technician Second Class
(AST2) Lake Downham, Margate, NJ; United States Marine Corps Sergeant (SGT) Kristopher Stoner, Delaware County, PA; and United States Navy Yeoman First Class (YN1) Kelda Lang, Perkasie, PA.
As part of a tour of the Philadelphia area, the honorees will visit our nation’s largest and most decorated battleship at approximately 9:30 am on Friday, Oct. 4 While onboard, they will pose for photos under the Battleship’s legendary 16-inch guns and then tour the ship. Battleship Curator Jason Hall will lead this VIP group on a tour of the Battleship.
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE - Master Sergeant (MSgt) Bubba Beason is assigned First Sergeant to the 305th Air Mobility Wing, McGuire Air Force Base. He has deployed overseas on six separate occasions since September 11, 2001; he is currently scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan in January for one year. He joined the US Air Force in 1991 as a Pneundraulic Systems Mechanic. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology, MSgt Beason holds two college degrees from the Community College of the Air Force. He is the first US Air Force First Sergeant to graduate from the US Army’s Air Assault School in Ft Campbell, Kentucky. He serves as president of McGuire AFB First Sergeant’s 21-member Council, and is extremely active in his community. He has been the guest speaker at a NYC Families United Gold Star event, and, in addition to organizing and leading 250 airmen in the NYC Veteran’s Day Parade, he supervised the first-ever McGuire AFB Gold Star Mother’s Remembrance ruck run. He has been selected Airman or NCO of the year as well as fro the Lance P Sijan Award by several of his units throughout his distinguished career. His many decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, five Air Force Commendation medals, five AF Achievement medals, and the Joint Meritorious Unit award. Master Sergeant Beason resides in Fort Dix, NJ.
UNITED STATES ARMY - Master Sergeant (MSG) Jonathan Smith is assigned to the HQS 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), 28th Division, PA National Guard. He serves as the Brigade Signal Support Systems Chief in charge of all radio, cabling, computer networks, and the Army’s Battle Command System within the 56th SBCT. (The 56th Stryker Brigade has the most advanced signal systems in the US Army.) MSG Smith joined the Army in 1985; he subsequently served four years active duty including a tour in Korea, and deployed to Kuwait as part of Operation Desert Storm. In 1991, he joined the PA Guard, deploying to Iraq as a Platoon Sergeant with the 1-104 Cavalry Squadron, 2 BCT, 28th Division in 2005-2006. After joining the 56th SBCT, he deployed for the third time to combat in 2008-2009. MSG Smith is a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper; he received the PA Medal of Honor for bravery during the Nichol Mines Amish School shootings. His military awards include two Bronze Stars, eight Army Commendation Medals, seven Army Achievement Medals, and the Combat Action badge. Master Sergeant Smith resides in Red Lion, PA.
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD - Aviation Survival Technician Second Class (AST2) Lake Downham is assigned to USCG Air Station Atlantic City, where he is thus far credited with saving nine lives and assisting in five rescues. He joined the Coast Guard in 2000, serving as a Boatswain mate in Hawaii and California; while in California, he qualified as a Coast Guard diver, making dives assisting in port security, counter drug sweeps, and vessel safety and maintenance inspections. He subsequently qualified as an aircrew member and rescue swimmer, excelling in all facets of the curriculum, and setting a record for the 2000-yard gear swim that still stands. AST2 Downham applies his skills to his volunteer efforts on behalf of local kids with special needs as co-chair (with his fiancé) of the Best Day Foundation, NJ Chapter. He has been awarded the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, (for saving three lives from the vessel Green Eyes), and three CG Commandant’s Letters of Commendation. Aviation Survival Technician Second Class Downham resides in Margate, NJ.
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS - Sergeant (SGT) Kristopher Stoner is assigned to the USMC 6th Engineer Support Battalion, as a member of its Inspector Instructor Staff. As Maintenance Chief, he is responsible for maintenance of all assigned motor vehicles for the entire battalion. SGT Stoner joined the Marines in 2005. He is trained as a vehicle mechanic, maintenance supervisor and route recon specialist. He deployed to Iraq in 2007 and joined the 6th Engineer Support Battalion upon his return from combat. He serves on the unit’s Military Funeral Honors detachment and has participated in over 100 funerals, receiving many letters of appreciation for his work. He is active in Toys for Tots, serving as a team leader and public speaker. His decorations include the Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat Device. Sergeant Stoner resides in Delaware County, PA.
UNITED STATES NAVY - Yeoman First Class (YN1) Kelda Lang is assigned to HQS, Willow Grove Naval Air Station where she serves as the overseer of the base administrative department. An outstanding leader, she joined the Navy in 1992, serving in the Naval Support Activity in Naples, Italy. She joined the Individual Ready Reserve as she left active duty, and later the Selected Reserve in Newport, Rhode Island. She was mobilized in support of Operation Nobel Eagle in 2003. She serves as president of the Willow Grove Naval Air Station Child Development Center’s Parent Involvement Board, vice president of its “First Class Association” and is an American Red Cross volunteer. Her awards include four Navy Achievement Medals. Yeoman First Class Lang resides in Perkasie, PA.
Honorees will accept their awards at the 68th Annual Liberty Gala, on Friday, in Philadelphia, at the Hyatt Regency (at Penn’s Landing).
About Liberty USO: For more than 68 years, the United Service Organizations (USO) of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, Inc. or “Liberty USO” has served the needs of America’s active duty, National Guard and reserve military personnel and their families throughout Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. The Liberty USO is a chartered affiliate of World USO, a congressionally chartered, nonprofit organization and not a government agency. The Liberty USO is supported solely through voluntary contributions and receives no government funding. The USO’s Mission worldwide is to enhance the quality of life of U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families worldwide and to create a cooperative relationship between U.S. military communities and involved or supporting civilian communities. To find out more about Liberty USO, its programs in support of our local armed forces, and how you can volunteer, visit Liberty USO’s website (www.libertyuso.org).
Berthed on the Camden Waterfront across the Delaware River from Center City Philadelphia, the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial is a non-profit historic ship museum that offers guided and audio tours daily from 9:30 am to 3 pm. Experience the guided City at Sea Tour, which features newly restored spaces such as the TV Studio, Machine Shop, Post Office, Medical and Dental facilities, the Brig, the Barber Shop and more. The Battleship New Jersey allows visitors a variety ways to experience the ship, including overnight encampments for youth groups and families, special group and student tours and event rentals with a full catering menu. Ride NJ Transit’s Riverline to the Battleship New Jersey. Visit www.riverline.com for fares and schedules. For more information on the ship’s many programs, visit www.battleshipnewjersey.org
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