Band member selected for ‘Hope’ award

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BOLLING AIR FORCE BASE, D.C. (AFPN) --  Air Force Personnel Center officials recently announced the U.S. Air Force Band’s superintendent here as the recipient of the 2005 U.S. Armed Forces Spirit of Hope Award for the Air Force.

Senior Master Sgt. Ann Hinote has been a band member for 17 years.

The Spirit of Hope Award is presented annually to an outstanding and distinguished person or organization whose service to troops reflects the dedication and commitment of the late Bob Hope, comedian, movie and TV star, entertainer and patriot. The award was first presented in 1997.

Sergeant Hinote’s name will be added to the list of luminaries who have received the award in past years, including Ann Margret, Rudy Guiliani, Walter Cronkite, former President George H.W. Bush, and Senator John Glenn.

“I’m honored to have been selected for this award,” Sergeant Hinote said. “I did not expect to win at this level. To be honest, I just feel proud to wear the uniform and work every day with amazing musicians. We have an important and dynamic mission in the U.S. Air Force Band, one that I enjoy being part of.”

Hand-picked as the first superintendent for the band, she directed and coordinated last-minute efforts for state funeral plans, officials said. For her efforts, Sergeant Hinote was lauded by the White House for her synchronization of 710 Airmen at former President Ronald Reagan’s state funeral, which more than 1.2 billion people attended or watched on television worldwide. Her impeccable appearance and stellar military bearing during about 183 ceremonies epitomized the Air Force image to the world, officials said.

“Band (leaders) know (they) can always count on Senior Master Sergeant Hinote to accomplish her mission with precision and professionalism,” said Chief Master Sgt. Edward J. Teleky, her supervisor and drum major for the band. “She’s a big part of our successful team, and it’s a real pleasure working with her. She really deserves this recognition.”

Sergeant Hinote has volunteered more than 100 hours at a local nursing home to provide comfort and emotional support to geriatric Alzheimer patients and senior citizens without families. She also volunteered more than 120 hours at the Arlington Animal Welfare League to save 196 dogs and to provide care and maintenance for 1,500 dogs.

Sergeant Hinote will be presented with the award in September during the Air and Space Conference and Technology Exhibition in Washington, officials said.