The North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command Joint Color Guard posts colors before the performance of the Canadian and U.S. national anthems performed by the 4th Infantry Division Band during the 2016 Armed Forces Week Luncheon May 18, 2016, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. (Photo by Master Sgt. Brent M. Williams)
By Master Sgt. Brent M. Williams
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
COLORADO SPRINGS — Colorado Service members, to include over 100 from the 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, attended the 2016 Armed Forces Week Luncheon hosted by the Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance (CSRBA) Military Affairs Council (MAC) at the Broadmoor May 16, 2016.
Titled “Our American Heroes,” the MAC honored the best of the enlisted members serving in the Pikes Peak Region as part of the annual celebration.
“In our role under the Regional Business Alliance, the (MAC’s vision is) providing advocacy, programs and the collaboration of the community to support the military member, the military Family, the military mission and the military veteran,” said Keith Klaehn, chairman of the Military Affairs Council and host of the event.
Colorado Secretary of State Wayne W. Williams read a proclamation from Gov. John W. Hickenlooper, declaring May 18, 2016, as Colorado Springs Military Affairs Council Day. The proclamation recognized the MAC for its 75 years of service and the city of Colorado Springs for receiving the inaugural Great American Defense Community Award for its continued support of military communities, service members, military Families and veterans.
The luncheon also featured a message from Colorado’s congressional delegation — Sens. Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner and Rep. Doug Lamborn, thanking the MAC and the citizens of Colorado Springs for their outstanding support of the military.
Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, delivers the keynote addressduring the 2016 Armed Forces Week Luncheon at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs May 18, 2016. (Photo by Master Sgt. Brent M. Williams)
Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, commanding general, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, was the keynote speaker.
“It is a true testament to the caliber of people in this community that this type of event and recognition … takes place in such a distinguished way each year to recognize and honor the military services and service members,” Gonsalves said.
The 61st commander of the 4th Inf. Div. congratulated the MAC on its 75th anniversary and thanked the organization for all it has accomplished to honor the military in the Pikes Peak region.
“Since the very beginning with Camp Carson, and with the additions of Peterson Air Field, Ent Air Force Base, the U.S. Naval Armory, the U.S.
Air Force Academy, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site and Schriever Air Force Base, our neighbors have stood shoulder to shoulder with these fine installations as community partners in the business of providing for the defense of the United States,” Gonsalves said.
During the ceremony, Gonsalves, Klaehn and Matt Coleman, chair, 2016 Board of Directors, CSRBA, presented 16 service members with awards for their continued and outstanding service to their communities and the nation.
“Today, as part of Armed Forces Week, we pay tribute to the backbone of our military, the enlisted members and noncommissioned officers in the Pikes Peak region,” Coleman said.
Of the 16 finalists, the top three from each category based on respective rank, were selected for their service as the best of the best in their local communities. A panel of distinguished retired military leaders served as judges for the competition, reviewing packages and interviewing nominees to select a winner in each category.
Fort Carson’s Sgt. 1st Class James E. Allen III, 168th Regional Training Institute, Colorado National Guard, was named the winner for the senior NCO category and was the first National Guardsman to win the competition. Senior Airman Christina G. Melendez, 10th Security Forces Squadron, U.S. Air Force Academy, won the junior enlisted category and Army Staff Sgt. Ketsarin Panuvong, 2nd Space Company, 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade, won the NCO category.
Allen said being selected and honored for his service was humbling and he credited his NCOs throughout the years and his father, Retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 James Allen Jr., for their outstanding mentorship and support.
“The Colorado Springs community has set the bar high and is a model of excellence for other military communities across the nation,” said Allen, who also attributed his accomplishments as a military leader and community servant to his wife, Tiffany. “I am proud to serve in the Pikes Peak Region and can’t think of another place I’d rather be.”