Media Relations Office:
ADC honors military employees at Flag Day ceremony
Employees and their families gathered June 14 at the Arizona History Museum as the Arizona Department of Corrections honored military-serving employees at an annual Flag Day celebration. Arizona Department of Corrections Director Dora Schriro explained the importance of Flag Day to ADC.
“It is a special opportunity for all of us to reflect on our flag's history and meaning,” Director Schriro said. “Over the past three years it has also been a special day at ADC for all of us to celebrate and honor our colleagues and co-workers who are serving on active duty at home or abroad, and to offer special thanks and support to their families.” Other featured speakers at the event, emceed by ABC15’s Karen Schaler, included Arizona Department of Veterans Services Director Patrick Chorpenning, Adjutant General David Rataczak of the National Guard and Arizona Senator Thayer Vershoor. Chorpenning echoed the significance of Flag Day and appreciation for the sacrifices of ADC employees. “It’s a very special day for Director Schriro to choose to honor those ADC employees who have served and are serving their country,” Chorpenning said. ADC employs 79 corrections professionals now on active duty with another 115 men and women on standby. 2,263 employees, totaling 25 percent of the ADC workforce, are veterans of the U.S. armed forces. These numbers impressed General Rataczak. “The number of ADC employees who have served their country is daunting,” General Rataczak said.
Four of ADC’s military employees were singled out for recognition at the ceremony and received Champion of Freedom Awards. Correction Officers Jose Isla and Pete Barwick of the Yuma Complex received the Humanitarian Award for their efforts in assisting evacuees following the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Sgt. Tony Jackson, also of the Yuma complex, received the Army Commendation for his actions leading to the capture of an enemy sniper in Iraq as well as the Purple Heart after he was injured by an improvised explosive device, or IED. Training Officer David Truax of the Yuma training facility received the Meritorious Service Medal for his service while Acting Command Sergeant Major for Task Force Terrebonne supporting rescue and evacuation operations after Hurricane Katrina. Director Schriro honored each award recipient with the Champion of Freedom plaque. Following the presentation, the director unveiled the ADC Service Lapel Pin and announced a new dress code policy to allow officers to wear military insignia on their ADC uniform. “In honor of Flag Day, the department's dress code policy is amended to enable all eligible ADC correctional staff to wear on the department's uniform insignia approved by the Institute of Heraldry indicating their affiliation with a unit or a branch of service,” Director Schriro said. At the close of the event, Director Schriro met with ADC staff and the families of military-serving employees, thanking them for their sacrifices and affixing the ADC Service Lapel Pin to each of their shirts.
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