15 district employees earn GWOT medal

Posted August 12, 2009
By Norfolk District Public Affairs

8/12/2009 - FORT NORFOLK, Va. — Colonel Andrew Backus, Norfolk District commander, presented 15 Global War on Terrorism Civilian Service Medals to former and current employees during a quarterly town hall meeting here Aug. 12.

Employees who received the medal are:

Antonio Bastidas
Johnnie Saunders
Huong Huynh
Jaime Pastrana Jr.
Lisa Bobotas
Jodelle Ferguson
Sherri Jefferies
Samuel McGee III
Ryan Nagel
Nandy Perillo
Lanny Pricer
Glenn Seay
Christopher Service
Marshall Smith
William Swean

The GWOT Civilian Service Medal is the civilian version of the secretary of defense Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. The president established the medal to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of the civilian workforce of the Department of Defense in direct support of the armed forces, whose members are engaged in operations to combat terrorism in all forms throughout the world.

The ribbon is similar to that of the military medal, but the medal obverse features a sculpture of the female personification of Freedom in Grecian garb, and the reverse features a compass surrounded by the words "Civilian Support -- Global War on Terrorism."