Spirit Award

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The 509th Bomb Wing commander, Brig. Gen. Robert Wheeler, presented Mr. Alex Slocum, 509th BW Information Protection, with the Whiteman Spirit Award July 12.

Mr. Slocum was nominated for the award by Mrs. Jan Smith from the Missouri State Veterans Home director of volunteer services, for demonstrating outstanding service as the historian for the Matthews-Crawford American Legion, Post 131 and Missouri American Legion Sixth District. According to Mrs. Smith, Mr. Slocum was instrumental in helping organize special events involving those organizations.

"Along with organizing events at both locations for Memorial Day and Veterans Day, Mr. Slocum is a tremendous help to me in planning the community program held on these two special days at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg," said Mrs. Smith.

In addition to volunteering at the Missouri Veterans Home, Mr. Slocum recruits guest speakers and other event participants such as the Whiteman Air Force Base honor guard, and coordinates membership meetings for the American Legion at the Veterans Home as well as writes press releases for upcoming events and programs hosted by the home.

"He is just 'super' to work with," Mrs. Smith said. "Mr. Slocum is a great team player is willing to step up and assist with whatever is needed with a positive attitude. He is dedicated to enriching the lives of the 200 veterans living at the Warrensburg Veterans Home."

When he's not volunteering in the local community, Mr. Slocum's performance as an information protection specialist is also exemplary, according to Mrs. Cheri LeBlanc, 509th BW chief of information protection.

"Mr. Slocum monitors more than 10,000 clearances for personnel throughout a dynamic total-force environment maintaining a 99.5 percent error-free submission rate," said Mrs. LeBlanc. "We submit around 750 cases per year. The work is tedious and requires a detailed review of every submission."

"Overall, Mr. Slocum deserves this award and is a pleasure to work with," Mrs. Smith added.

Mr. Slocum was honored this month at the American Legion Department of Missouri convention as the "Post History Yearbook" award recipient for the third year in a row and will now compete for the National Award in October 2010. Mr. Slocum's previous submissions have earned a first and second place awards at the National level in the Yearbook competition the last two years. This award recognizes his creative efforts tracking every event and activity that the American Legion Post 131, is involved with and creates an historical depiction.


Go-by name: Alex

Duty Title: Information Protection Specialist

Time on Station: 15.5 years

Time in Service: Five as a civilian employee

Hometown: Hart, Michigan

Spouse: Joyce

Hobbies: Turkey and deer hunting

Goals: Become National Commander of The American Legion

Best thing about Whiteman: The tri-wing and multiple missions of the base

Pet Peeves: The unsafe driving habits on DD Highway for the morning commute

What motivates your winning spirit? In this case, giving back to the residence of the Veterans Home whose sacrifices made my life that much better.