WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–lt;a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Airforce?src=hash” target=”_blank”gt;#Airforcelt;/agt;–Six members of the military – one from each branch and the National
Guard/Reserve – received 2018 GEICO
Military Service Awards last night for their contributions to safety
and drug prevention programs that have benefitted both military and
civilian communities.

“These men and women personify leadership and service, both in their
military roles and in the communities where they live,” said GEICO
President and CEO Bill Roberts, who presented the winners with their
awards. “While they diligently safeguard the nation and its citizens,
they also enthusiastically serve their military and civilian
communities, and their efforts make those communities better places to
work and live.”

The awardees are:

• Army Spc. Odailys Matos is a certified fire inspector whose attention
  to detail and dedication to her job ensures that nearly 200 soldiers
  have safe and functional living spaces. Her outstanding contributions
  earned an Army Achievement Medal. She is a Supply Clerk in the Special
  Troops Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade, 1st lnfantry Division at
  Fort Riley, Kansas. She is currently deployed to Afghanistan. She was
  honored for Fire Safety and Fire Prevention.
• U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Gregory Bogaczyk created an anonymous Arrive
  Alive Program so that Marines who use it would not face repercussions
  for underage drinking. He also promotes bike safety as a program
  expert in the Naval Safety Center’s Motorcycle Safety Representative
  Course. He serves as a Ground Safety Manager and Chemical, Biological,
  Radiological and Nuclear Defense Chief for Marine Aircraft Group 41 at
  Naval Air Station/Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth, Texas. He was
  honored for Traffic Safety and Accident Prevention.
• Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Jack Hopson Jr. is a devoted community
  volunteer and has assisted more than 12 non-profits in reviewing and
  updating their operations to meet code standards. He developed the
  U.S. Navy’s first-ever firefighting course at the Naval Firefighting
  Facility in Rota, Spain. The course features plans of action for 15
  different emergency scenarios. He is a 3M safety trainer and inspector
  at Naval Air Forces Atlantic in Norfolk, Virginia. He was honored for
  Fire Safety and Fire Prevention.
• Air Force Master Sgt. Christopher W. Engelke rendered life-saving
  assistance after encountering a four-car collision while off-duty from
  his job as the highly-skilled emergency response leader for three Air
  Force installations. He is the Superintendent of Regional Dispatch for
  the Cheyenne Mountain Fire Emergency Services Flight, 721st Civil
  Engineer Squadron, 721st Mission Support Group at Cheyenne Mountain
  Air Force Station in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was honored for
  Fire Safety and Fire Prevention.
• Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class John W. Cochrane developed fire
  prevention and firefighting tactics for the newly-commissioned U.S.
  Coast Guard Cutter Kimball crew. In addition, he shares his expertise
  with youth by volunteering with the Trail Life USA. He is assigned to
  the Kimball, based in Honolulu, and serves as the leading Petty
  Officer for the Damage Control & Repair Division and the Fire & Safety
  Division Manager. He was honored for Fire Safety and Fire Prevention.
• U.S. National Guard Technical Sgt. Carissa Ann Siry helps more than 25
  community-based coalitions and three major college campuses reduce
  youth substance abuse. She has also trained schools in grant-writing,
  equipping them to receive funds to support their substance abuse
  prevention efforts. She is a Civil Operations Specialist assigned to
  the New York National Guard Counterdrug Task Force in New York, New
  York. She was honored for Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention.

The honorees each received a $2,500 cash honorarium from the GEICO
Philanthropic Foundation. In the days prior to the awards ceremony,
the honorees were treated to special events in around Washington, D.C.,
including a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where they laid a
wreath. Transportation to Washington, D.C., and lodging for recipients
and a guest were provided.

Yesterday’s ceremony marked the 30th year that GEICO
has presented the awards. Military service members were among GEICO’s
very first customers when the company was founded more than 80 years
ago. In addition to the awards,
GEICO offers special
savings to service members and has a special
team dedicated to assisting military customers and supporting causes
important to the military community.

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