Armed Forces Persons of the Year honored at GSI event

Greater Spokane Inc. honored members of the military at the organization’s Let Freedom Ring 60th Anniversary on Friday.

Nominations for the Armed Forces Person of the Year were solicited from each branch of the armed services. Candidates were evaluated based on their leadership qualities, responsibilities and accomplishments, education and training, decorations, awards and honors, community involvement, and civic activities.

This year’s honorees are:

• Guard/Reserve, junior enlisted: Cpl. Devan Paul, U.S. Army Reserve
• Guard/Reserve, mid-grade enlisted: Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Udell, U.S. Navy Reserve
• Guard/Reserve, senior enlisted: Master Sgt. John R. Mitchell, Washington Air National Guard
• Active Duty, junior enlisted: Senior Airman Amber Straus, U.S. Air Force
• Active Duty, mid-grade enlisted: Tech. Sgt. Joshua Embry, U.S. Air Force
• Active Duty, senior enlisted: Master Sgt. Casey L. Hearn, U.S. Air Force