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From left to right, Jim Wooten, assistant editor of the AJC, Sgt. 1 st Class Laurie A. Jones, Staff Sgt. Christopher Aldred, Pfc. Brandon Conway, Staff Sgt. Francis C. Laudano, Sgt. 1 st Class Andrew B. Gideon, and Lt. Gen. David B. Poythress. (
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124th MPAD
November 4, 2007 – Three Georgia Army National Guardsmen and two Soldiers with the U. S. Army Reserve were honored during The
The Guardsmen who were recognized were Pfc. Brandon Conway, an infantryman with Winder’s 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry, Staff Sgt. Christopher Aldred, assistant operations non-commissioned officer with Augusta’s 878th Engineer Battalion, and Sgt. 1st Class Andrew B. Gideon, a platoon sergeant with Calhoun’s 1st Battalion, 108th Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition squadron.
“I’m very thankful to my leadership and the AJC,” said Aldred. “It’s really quite an honor.”
Each of the honorees noted that they weren’t aware of their nominatation until they received word that they had been chosen to receive the award. “It kinda snuck up on me, but it was quite a pleasant surprise when I found out,” said Laudano.
In presenting the awards, Jim Wooten, assistant editor of the AJC, and a retired Georgia Army Guard colonel, expressed his gratitude and respect for all men and women in uniform, and specifically thanked and congratulated the five who were present to receive this year’s trophy.
“I think what you have chosen to do is the highest form of volunteerism and public service,” said Wooten. “Your dedication, your discipline and your success give the rest of us comfort. Your professionalism does both you and your country proud.”
The yearly award, which is sponsored by the AJC, is given to enlisted Soldiers and non-commissioned officers for exemplary performance, superior ability and dedication to Army values.
The Georgia Guard’s adjutant general, Lt. Gen. David B. Poythress, said that the awards have become an important tradition in the state’s reserve community over the course of the past couple of decades.
“It says to the public, ‘this is a person we would like to be like,’” said Poythress.
The two Reservists were Staff Sgt. Francis S. Laudano, a tactical chief with