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Charleston Chamber names 315th Airman as "Reservist of the Year"

  • Published
  • By Michael Dukes
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. --  Master Sgt. Stephanie Kimbrell, 315th Logistics Readiness Squadron logistics technician, was named Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce Reservist of the Year May 6 during the Chamber's 2014 Salute to the Military at the Charleston Marriott downtown.

This year's key note speaker was Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James. "As members of the military, uniformed or civilian, you are role models making a positive influence in our local community," the Secretary said while addressing military, their family and local business leaders at the event.

Winners were grouped into categories: military, reservist and civilian. 315th Airlift members cheered when Kimbrell's name was announced as winner in the Reserve category.

Kimbrell was selected for her many outstanding contributions to the local community last year. Most notable was her ultimate sacrifice of donating one of her kidneys to a complete stranger. In addition to this selfless act, she volunteered 180 hours of her time for community service. She served as judge for the Berkeley High School drill competition covering 15 schools and more than 500 cadets. She also volunteered her time to serve as a teacher for vacation bible school at Cathedral of Praise. Kimbrell also finds time to participate in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program and is an active volunteer with the Sons of the Confederate Veterans.

"I congratulate all of you," James said of the award nominees. "We share an enormous amount of pride for what you are doing. You are really living up to our core values: integrity first, service before self, excellence in all we do.

"It was such a privilege to be nominated and even more of an honor to win," Kimbrell said. "My fellow nominees were nothing short of outstanding examples of real heroes and to be in a category with them was a true blessing

As a logistics technician, Kimbrell maintains 315th Logisitcs Squadron at readiness and assists in the management of all mobility deployment programs for the 315th Airlift Wing. She develops and maintains logistics annexes for a wide variety of operational and exercise plans generated locally or at higher headquarters. She also coordinates with the base's senior leadership and reviews taskings to plan for the most effective deployment of equipment and personnel.

"Master Sgt. Kimbrell is the most selfless person I know," said Lt. Col. Bobby Degregorio, 315th LRS commander. "She doesn't seek attention for the things she does, she just does them because they are the right things to do. She is appreciative for what she has in life and always look for ways to help others out!"

"I hope I continue to bring honor and pride to my fellow reservists as an example of the awesome reservists stationed here at Joint Base Charleston as well as the Air Force Reserve Command," Kimbrell added.

In her remarks before the award winners were announcement, the Air Force Secretary talked about the many Joint Base Charleston mission partners' contributions, and acknowledged none of it would be possible without the support of the local community.
James also spoke briefly on the ongoing budget crisis, force management and quality of life.