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Airman of the Year reluctant to take praise

Nominations for the 2007 Military Times Service Member of the Year poured in to the newsroom for months, and at a July 12 reception in Washington, D.C., the winners were hailed for their professionalism, dedication to other service members and service to country.

For the seventh consecutive year, the Capitol Hill event was packed with congressional, military and business leaders, and with the service members’ peers and families.

Air Force Times Airman of the Year Staff Sgt. Matthew Patnaude, an explosive ordnance disposal specialist, was honored for his tenacity in helping disarm dozens of lethal roadside bombs in Iraq, where he also was wounded in combat twice.

Reluctant to accept much praise for what he considers his duty, Patnaude focused on what he likes most about being in the Air Force.

“I like being able to do my job, blow stuff up and help people whether it’s helping our own people or the locals in whatever country, to make them safe,” said Patnaude, who is assigned to 314th Civil Engineer Squadron (EOD Operations) at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.

Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Miss., was the host of the awards ceremony, and he was joined by Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

“These men and women are all volunteers. They do what they do because they love more than they hate,” Graham said. “To those who wear the uniform today, those who represent the idea of being an American, these winners represent you.”

The other 2007 Service Members of the Year are Army Capt. Scott Smiley; Navy Ship’s Serviceman 1st Class (SW) Angela Crawford; Marine Corps Maj. Theodore Wong; and Coast Guard Health Specialist 3rd Class Anjelica Hopkins-Slayton.

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