Air Force sergeant honored by American Legion for community service

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MILWAUKEE, Wis. (AFNS) --  A sergeant stationed at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., received The American Legion's Spirit of Service Award Aug. 31 in recognition of his extensive volunteer efforts in the community.

Staff Sgt. Edward L. Perez, who serves as an airfield systems installation technician with the 688th Information Operations Wing, provided more than 400 hours of community service during 2009 in the Gulf Coast area.

American Legion National Commander Clarence E. Hill presented the award during The American Legion's 92nd National Convention at the Milwaukee Convention Center. Sergeant Perez was honored along with a representative from each of the other four military services.

During the presentation, Mr. Hill cited Sergeant Perez's extensive volunteer work in leading a four-month Salvation Army food and clothing drive, providing life-sustaining items to 18,000 Gulf Coast residents and organizing three Toys for Tots collection points that provided holiday gifts to 4,000 local children. He served as the base project officer for the Salvation Army toy roundup, delivering 2,700 gifts to 900 needy Gulf Coast families. Additionally, he served as the program coordinator for Meals on Wheels, setting up a fund-raising event to provide food for more than a thousand immobile seniors.

Sergeant Perez was recognized for his commitment to humanity with a 2009 Presidential Volunteer Service Award for his work in organizing numerous community charity events presented by the city of Gulfport, Miss.

"Our nation is fortunate to have such dedicated service personnel as Sergeant Perez who represent the very finest our nation has to offer," said Mr. Hill, who presented him a membership in The American Legion as part of the award.

As a new Legionnaire, "I feel ready to make an impact on our community," Sergeant Perez said. "I love to help others and that's what I plan on doing."

"For both his military service and his community service, Sergeant Perez is a credit to his uniform and to our country, Mr. Hill said. "He makes me, and all the other men and women of The American Legion, very proud."

Along with Sergeant Perez, American Legion officials presented the Spirit of Service Award to Army Sergeant Chelsey D. Billing, Fort Belvoir, Va.; Navy Petty Officer Third Class Thomas M. Lothridge, USS Maryland, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga.; Marine Sergeant Avery Washington II, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C.; and Coast Guard Petty Officer Second Class David L. Downham, Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, N.J.

This is the eleventh year that The American Legion has sponsored the Spirit of Service Award program.