WD telecommunications personnel receive American flag flown over Iraq

Date: 17-Jun-08
News Release Number: ECL200806171
By Staci Mathews NAWCWD Public Affairs

Certificates of authenticity were presented to four of China Lake operators for their support in helping deployed military personnel and family members maintain contact under demanding conditions. Pictured from left are Gail Dunning, lead operator Charlene Stephens, and Terri Leonard. Not pictured is Lisa Rains. Photo by Staci Mathews.

Lt. Steve Bussell of Joint Combat Assessment Team and 3D Marine Aircraft Wing in Iraq sent his family an American flag flown in Iraq which was then presented to WD employees.

In a profound statement of appreciation, the family of Lt. Steve Bussell of Joint Combat Assessment Team and 3D Marine Aircraft Wing recently presented WD employees with an American flag which was flown over 3D Marine Aircraft Wing Headquarters in Iraq for their extra efforts to connect family to deployed service men and women.

The flag, along with recognition certificates were presented to the WD team for their extra efforts to facilitate communication with family members back home through the Department of Defense's Voice Networks with Real Time Services.

It was a humbling and grateful experience for each of the team members to know their action helped in connecting the family members together when they so needed it.

Four China Lake operators, Charlene Stephens, lead operator, Gail Dunning, Lisa Rains and Terri Leonard were recognized with a certificate of authenticity.

"On behalf of all four China Lake operators, I want to thank Steve's wife Rochelle and her 4-year-old son for bringing in the flag. It touched my heart," said Stephens. "We are enjoying the flag and certificates and we plan to encase the certificates along with the flag."

"This not only shows appreciation for our folks serving over there, but it is good for the morale and the relationships that are developed within families," said Stan Shearer, telecommunications project manager.

"I am very proud of our local government and contractor personnel by taking the above-and-beyond attitude with our deployed military men and women and the actions that help support them and their families in times of great challenge," said Capt. Mark Storch, NAWCWD vice commander.

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