Gulf Coast, local military reinforce bonds at 37th Annual Salute to the Military Published Oct. 26, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Duncan McElroy 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- About 1,000 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Coastguardsmen and local community and business members attended the 37th Annual Salute to the Military, Oct. 20, 2015, at the Mississippi Coast Convention Center, Biloxi Miss. The event is held to highlight and thank service members from bases across the Gulf Coast. “We take this as an opportunity for the businesses and communities of the Gulf Coast to recognize members of the armed forces; it’s important for us to do so because the military is essential to us here – they really have a special place in our heart,” said Kimberly Nastasi, Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce CEO. “We want to stop and thank them for what they do. The military contributes in so many ways and are the heartbeat of the coast.” Throughout the evening, current and former military members were honored for their contributions to both the community and their service to the country. “Everyone looks forward to attending this,” Nastasi said. “The entire Gulf Coast rallies to recognize the effort and sacrifice of our military. And every year it grows because more businesses and communities share an interest in supporting the military being here.” In addition to highlighting service members, Salute to the Military is also an opportunity for military leaders and base personnel to meet state and local business, community and political figures. “Being able to show off and reinforce our community bonds with Keesler is great,” she said. “Keesler is an economic engine and integral part of the costal economy, so tonight and throughout the year we try to factor in the military at all levels; whether it’s networking for new families to make the transition to a new town easier or provide an outlet for local businesses to meet base commanders.” Toward the end of the evening, Master Sgt. Tammy Pierce was honored with the Thomas V. Fredian Community Leadership Award, a recognition given each year to an enlisted military member from a local base who has had an outstanding impact on their installation and local community. Pierce, the 81st Inpatient Operation Squadron medical and surgical inpatient flights chief, was one of 10 nominated, and one of four from Keesler. “I’m in awe, this is my first time attending Salute,” she said. “It was a wonderful event, completely first-class all the way.” As a result of earning the Thomas V. Fredian Award, Pierce has been invited to attend President Obama’s next State of the Union address as Congressman Steven Palazzo’s guest. “Each of these installations has thousands of people, and these are the best of the best,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Brown, 2nd Air Force commander and Salute to the Military keynote speaker, of the award nominees. “When we see excellence we should stop and recognize it. Our [Keesler’s] mission is to train, develop and inspire the next generation of service members, and the people standing before us tonight do exactly that.” After the presentation of the Thomas V. Fredian Award, Brown shared his personal thoughts on the bond between the community and military members. “My wife and I absolutely love being here because of what we’ve found in the community and the base personnel,” he said. “We’re fortunate to be assigned to a location where our families are welcome.” Brown also stressed how important communities like Biloxi and the Gulf Coast are to the success of America’s military. “Tonight’s event confirms, for me, this community has figured it out,” he said. “Behind all the advanced machinery, battalions, wings and fleets lies one irreplaceable weapon, one secret weapon – the American volunteer. The patriot. Born, raised and appreciated by communities like the Gulf Coast. The human factor is our secret weapon. Our strength lies in our people. And if we continue to have the greatest military in the world, we must treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve and the honor they’ve earned.”