City of Biloxi recognizes Keesler volunteers

From left, Mayor Holloway; Colonel Gottrich; Airmen Basic Kirk Mendive, Stephen Crawford, Stephon Williams, and John Kelly; Airmen 1st Class Buck Carpenter and General Dickinson display the 338th TRS’ award for Biloxi’s volunteer group of the year. Airmen Mendive, Crawford, Williams, Kelly and Carpenter are students in the squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

City of Biloxi recognizes Keesler volunteers

Published April 29, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Kimberly Moore
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Keesler personnel were among individuals and teams recognized during Biloxi's 27th annual Biloxi Volunteers Awards Ceremony April 21.

Biloxi Mayor A. J. Holloway and Brig. Gen. Ian Dickinson, 81st Training Wing commander, presented awards to the winners, including the 338th Training Squadron as the volunteer group of the year and Chaplain (Maj.) Henry Close as the military volunteer winner.

Among many other events, the 338th TRS dedicated 800 hours to the American Red Cross, organized 16 beach clean-up projects, led 35 volunteers in eight Habitat for Humanity events and dedicated more than 200 hours mentoring students through Big Brothers Big Sisters for Biloxi.

Lt. Col. Dan Gottrich, 338th TRS commander, accepted the award on the squadron's behalf and said, "This award goes to each of you; it recognizes and validates the extra time you have taken to provide your services to the base and the local community."

Chaplain Close is Keesler's senior training branch chaplain responsible for the care of nearly 2,500 technical students. Additionally, after discovering Biloxi's Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church had been without a pastor for most of the year, Chaplain Close offered to fill in as parish priest with no compensation until the community could afford to support someone regularly.