The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber presented the 22nd annual Howard O. Scott Citizen-Soldier of the Year award to Senior Airman Terri Rollins at the Kiwanis Club on Tuesday.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber annually recognizes an outstanding local citizen who makes a significant contribution to the community and is also a member of the Washington National Guard or a Reserve unit.
Rollins works with the Western Air Defense Sector at McChord Air Force Base and is a resident of Tacoma. She joined the Washington Air National Guard in 2000.
We are here today to recognize an exemplary individual to represent the many who add so immeasurably to our community, said chamber treasurer Barbara Mead.
She continued: The members of the selection panel who evaluated the nominations for this award were struck by Rollins work with the vulnerable in our society for someone so young.
Rollins gives her time and attention generously to the residents of Ashley Gardens Alzheimers Care Facility, volunteers at the Tacoma Humane Society and supports the Salvation Army during annual Holiday Sharing events.
Rollins served as her units Combined Federal Campaign (United Way) representative, in addition to spearheading the Air Force Enlisted Foundations Buck-A-Stripe program, designed to raise money to build assisted living facilities for surviving spouses of enlisted military members.
Many have seen her at work in the community as a volunteer at Safeco field for the booster club or and as a member of the volunteer honor guard during flag details for a September 11th remembrance and other ceremonial events.
In addition to her volunteer service, Rollins is the only senior airman to hold six different duty positions and is one of only four airmen to hold combat mission ready in two positions at McChord Air Force Base.
Our nation is proud of its heritage of citizen-soldiers. Founded as a militia composed of farmers, shopkeepers and citizenry from the frontier colonies, our citizen-soldiers take a justifiable pride in their historical beginnings, Mead said. They fired the shot heard round the world – and have participated in the defense of our freedoms ever since. April 19 marks the 228th anniversary of that heroic event.
The Citizen-Soldier of the Year Award memorializes Howard O. Scott, who grew up in Tacoma and served during World War II. He returned to Tacoma and a successful career as a banker. He gave of his time in community service organizations, was president of the Kiwanis Club of Tacoma and served as chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber.
