Story by Staff Sgt. Walter H. Lowell
Nevada National Guard Public Affairs Office
CARSON CITY, Nev. – An Airman with the Nevada National Guard was recognized for his efforts in bringing inclusion and unity to the organization, Nov. 10, 2021, at the Nevada Guard Headquarters here.
Blacks In Government presented the Military Meritorious Service Award to Chief Master Sgt. Torry Thompson, Nevada Air Guard human resource manager and former Nevada Guard state diversity coordinator.
BIG is a non-profit organization founded about 45 years ago that focuses on fair, inclusive opportunity and the treatment of African Americans who provide public services in the U.S. government.
The Blacks In Government Military Meritorious Service Award is given annually to one member of each of the military branches, several Department of Defense agencies, and the National Guard as a whole. The ceremony was conducted via teleconference, and hundreds of people attended.
“This is way more than I could have asked for,” Thompson said after being presented the award. “I encourage everyone out there just doing their jobs, who love what they do, and working in their community.”
Kenneth DuPree II, Nevada Guard Equal Employment Opportunity specialist and state special emphasis coordinator, was responsible for organizing the event and read the citation during the ceremony.
Thompson has given much of his time on and off duty to support local equality organizations. He is the president of the local George W. Porter chapter, Tuskegee Airmen and Northern Nevada Black Culture Awareness Society.
Thomson had many people to thank for his award: Alvin Bolton, Lt. Col. John Brownell, Kenneth DuPree II, Col. John Krueger, Lt. Col. Jenelle Kimsey, and to the support of dozens of Army and Air Guardsmen that attended his award ceremony and the many more that could not make it.
“Recognize your people,” DuPree said. “We have great people within the uniform service, especially the Nevada National Guard. We want to do better, and our people want to do better, so let’s lead the way in doing that.”
“It’s important for other people to see all your hard work out there,” added Thompson. “We are always representing the organization.”
Date Taken: | 11.10.2021 |
Date Posted: | 11.15.2021 18:25 |
Story ID: | 409371 |
Location: | CARSON CITY, NEVADA, US |
Hometown: | RENO, NEVADA, US |
Web Views: | 490 |
Downloads: | 1 |
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