[KYHAM] Ky ARES Award Winners for 2003
Ron Dodson
[email protected]
Sat, 06 Sep 2003 17:19:26 -0400
As I was unable to make the Ky ARRL Convention this year due to
my EM job commitments, the awards were presented during the ARRL
Forum at the Greater Louisville Hamfest on Saturday, Sept. 6th.
First, before getting down to business, I'd like to express my
appreciation to my Assistant SEC Ron Goodpaster, AG4TY and Pat
Spencer, KD4PWL for assisting me on the selection committee this
year in what was the most difficult of decisions as to who wins
what from our slate of nominees for the awards this year.
Each and every one of these amateurs was already a WINNER and so
were their local and our section ARES programs by their being a
part of it. If ever a group of people who deserved recognition
for busting their tails on a regular basis (while not expecting
anything in return) were ever assembled, this is one of those
groups! It's people with the gumption to go the extra mile who
really make an ARES program tick and bring credit to our amateur
radio service in so doing. These 6 amateurs have done that and
more not just once but many times over, each and every one of
them.
No matter what I do as SEC here in Kentucky, it is the average
Joe Ham and Jane Ham out there who make the difference in having
a successfull program and an unsuccessful program where it really
counts. These folks are just a few of those who are the movers
and shakers out there who make ARES useful to the community at
large and our served agencies, both government (EMA and NWS) and
the volunteer organizations we assist like the Am. Red Cross.
Attached below is a copy of the text of letters which accompanied
their awards. See for yourself if this crew is not all I have
said they were and more! A heartfelt thank you goes to each of
these six people from their Section Emergency Coordinator for
making the Ky SEC job - FUN!
-------------------
Ky ARES OPERATOR OF THE YEAR - 2003
Lynn Ernst, WD8JAW (District 7)
Lynn;
It is a with great pride and respect that I, Ron Dodson,
KA4MAP,
as the Kentucky Section Emergency Coordinator present you with
the Kentucky Amateur Radio Emergency Service's Operator of the
Year Award for 2003! This award, started in 1999 is given to
amateurs who have shown an exceptional dedication to our
section's Amateur Radio Emergency Service program in emergency
preparedness and response.
In recognition of your unfailing and multi-faceted
service to
the ARES program within the Seventh District and the Kentucky
Section through your work in nets, development of training,
participation in exercises and numerous emergency responses.
Without exception any time an event occurs within your reach, you
are there. Your eagerness to serve as Net Control and handling
coordination of activities is unfaltering. Through your
cooperative efforts as an assistant to the Seventh District
Emergency Coordinator, to work with both amateurs and served
agencies, a strong program exists in the district which can be
counted upon to respond to any need at any time.
Please accept this, the Kentucky ARES Operator of the
Year for
2003 Award as an expression of the deep admiration held by us all
for your boundless dedication to amateur radio and the Kentucky
Section Amateur Radio Emergency Service from the leadership and
the nearly one thousand ARES members section-wide. Given at the
Greater Louisville Hamfest this 6th day of September, 2003.
Sincerely,
Ronald L. Dodson, KA4MAP
Kentucky Section Emergency Coordinator
-----------------------
ARES Lifetime Achievement Award
Bill Call, KJ4W (District 1)
Bill;
It is a great honor and a privilege for me as the
Kentucky
Section Emergency Coordinator to present you with one of the
first of the Kentucky Amateur Radio Emergency Service's Lifetime
Achievement Awards. This award will be given periodically to
amateurs who have shown a long-standing commitment to Amateur
Radio and its use in emergency preparedness and response.
For more than 40 years, you have been at the very heart
and soul
of the amateur radio community of western Kentucky in the field
of emergency response. You have served in numerous capacities
within Kentucky Army MARS, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service of
District 1, and as the trustee of the Murray State University
Amateur Radio Club Station K4MSU (formerly WB4NTB). You also
oversee and conduct the maintenance of that station's complement
of 3 HF stations, 2 VHF and 1 UHF voice repeaters, 1 VHF packet
node and a VHF packet digi-peater all of which are available for
use not only to club members but in emergencies 24 hrs. a day /7
days a week by ARES operators region-wide. Your deeds are far to
many to list here.
As one amateur noted, " I am positive that even Hiram
Percy
Maxim, W1AW would be proud of what William J. Call stands for and
what he has done for the Amateur Radio Emergency Service." We,
the selection committee, whole-heartedly agree! Please accept
this award with our thanks and deep appreciation for your
dedication to amateur radio and the Kentucky Section Amateur
Radio Emergency Service from the leadership and the nearly one
thousand ARES members section-wide. Given at the Greater
Louisville Hamfest this 6th day of September, 2003.
Sincerely,
Ronald L. Dodson, KA4MAP
Kentucky Section Emergency Coordinator
----------------------------
ARES Lifetime Achievement Award
Bill Slayman, KY4NU (District 1)
Bill;
It is a great honor and a privilege for me as the
Kentucky
Section Emergency Coordinator to present you with one of the
first of the Kentucky Amateur Radio Emergency Service's Lifetime
Achievement Awards. This award will be given periodically to
amateurs who have shown a long-standing commitment to Amateur
Radio and its use in emergency preparedness and response.
Over the many years I have been associated with amateur
radio,
you have been a pivotal player in much of the activity occurring
within the Kentucky Section's First District. Your continued
service in the SkyWarn Severe Weather Spotter program of western
Kentucky has led many passing through or visiting the area over
the years to comment on the great work you have done and the
organization which you currently serve as the District Emergency
Coordinator. In June of this year, your efforts were again
validated as ARES members of the first and second districts were
directed toward providing amateur radio communications support to
many of the emergency agencies of two states and the Civil Air
Patrol in the search for two men and a missing aircraft. While
it is understood that this was not a single man's effort, much of
the credit for the professionalism and excellent organizational
skills shown to all of those agencies during the search are due
to the advance preparations in planning and training conducted by
yourself and the overhead staff you have chosen to assist you.
Please accept this award with our profound respect and
gratitude
for your dedication to amateur radio and the Kentucky Section
Amateur Radio Emergency Service from the leadership and the
nearly one thousand ARES members section-wide. Given at the
Greater Louisville Hamfest this 6th day of September, 2003.
Sincerely,
Ronald L. Dodson, KA4MAP
Kentucky Section Emergency Coordinator
-------------------------
Emergency Communications Commendation
Mark Garland, K4SDI (District 1)
Mark;
It is a great honor and a privilege for me as the
Kentucky
Section Emergency Coordinator to present you with this Emergency
Communications Commendation. You have been an unswerving and
vital member of the ARES program of Calloway County and the First
District for many years. You currently serve as the Emergency
Coordinator for the ARES program in Calloway County and work
closely with county government's emergency manager. You have
been a strong source of support in severe weather spotting and
other events within the community. On June 14th of this year, you
were advised that an aircraft with two men on board was reported
missing somewhere within an area of more than 250 square miles
around NW Tennessee and SW Kentucky. You organized amateur radio
support communications to assist Emergency Management, Fire and
Rescue and Civil Air Patrol search operations in the two state
area continuing through June 22, 2003. Through the period you
single-handedly logged 91 hours of service toward the search for
these men and their aircraft.
The commitment and sacrifice of time away from your
family in
all that you have done on the behalf of the amateur radio service
for the community at large is duly noted. Please accept this
award as a small gesture of our thanks and appreciation for your
dedication to the amateur radio service from the leadership and
the nearly one thousand membership of the ARES program of
Kentucky, given at the Greater Louisville Hamfest this 6th day of
September, 2003.
Sincerely,
Ronald L. Dodson, KA4MAP
Kentucky Section Emergency Coordinator
----------------------
Public Service Commendation
Alice Ford Blair, WA4RRR (District 4)
Dear Alice;
It is a great honor and a privilege for me as the
Kentucky
Section Emergency Coordinator to present you with this Public
Service Commendation. You have consistently provided your
community and region with your guidance and wisdom in matters of
amateur radio operation and impressed those around you with your
love of life and community. You have steadfastly supported the
Amateur Radio Emergency Service program in District 4, by your
active participation in nets and public service and then
reporting faithfully each month the activity of those nets and
service to the section leadership. Many have described you as
being the "Mother" figure to the Fourth District. I feel this is
a very realistic representation of just how much you mean to your
extended amateur radio "family.
Please accept this small token of our deepest respect and
lasting affection for the caring efforts you have made so freely
over the years from the leaders and the nearly one thousand
membership of the ARES program of Kentucky, given at the Greater
Louisville Hamfest this 6th day of September, 2003.
Sincerely,
Ronald L. Dodson, KA4MAP
Kentucky Section Emergency Coordinator
------------------------------
Public Service Commendation
Craig McKechnie, KE4FFQ (District 13)
Craig:
It is a great honor and a privilege for me as the
Kentucky
Section Emergency Coordinator to present you with this Public
Service Commendation. For many years you have time and again
shown a strong commitment to the Amateur Radio Emergency Service
of Fayette County and District 13. You serve as a liaison to the
Area 13 KyEM office. You regularly participate in providing
communications support to public service events such as the Rolex
and the many charity events at the Kentucky Horse Park. During
the February 2003 ice storm, you alone, logged 58 hours in a 96
hour period in providing emergency communications in support of
recovery efforts at the Kentucky Utilities, American Red Cross
Shelters and the Streets and Roads Department of
Lexington/Fayette Urban County Government.
Please accept this award as a symbol of our thanks and
appreciation for your dedication to the amateur radio service
from the leaders and the nearly one thousand membership of the
ARES program of Kentucky, given at the Greater Louisville Hamfest
this 6th day of September, 2003.
Sincerely,
Ronald L. Dodson, KA4MAP
Kentucky Section Emergency Coordinator
-----------------------
Thanks to all who attended the forum (we have photos that will
probably be available for viewing fairly soon on the web site)
and joined us in saying thanks to these individuals. A big thank
you from myself goes out as well, to all of the ARES members
state-wide, who get in there and really work to make ARES a
success here in Kentucky!
73,
Ron Dodson, KA4MAP
SEC Ky