Personnel Specialist First Class Shanita Jackson was presented the AC2 Whitney Powell Military Citizen of the Year Award by Mike Reed President, Mississippi Council of the Navy League.

    Personnel Specialist First Class Shanita Jackson was awarded the AC2 Whitney Powell Military Citizen of the Year Award presented by the Mississippi Council of the Navy League at a luncheon held Tuesday at Weidmann’s Restaurant in Meridian.

    This year’s nominees were Jackson, of Naval Technical Training Center Meridian; Religious Program Specialist Second Class Melissa Derr, NAS Meridian; Staff Sgt. Gregory Flowers, Marine Aviation Training Support Squadron One; and Hospital Corpsman Second Class Erin Clark, Naval Branch Health Clinic Meridian. Each were presented with a basket of goodies, certificate and a cash award.

    President Mississippi Council of the Navy League Mike Reed presented the award to Jackson and each of the nominees.

    “It is a pleasure each year for the Navy League to present this award to the Military Citizen of the Year,” Reed said. “These nominees have not only contributed to the safekeeping of our country through their military service while stationed at Naval Air Station Meridian, but these individuals have distinguished themselves both in their commands and in the community.”

    Reed said one of the favorite functions of the Navy League is to be able to present the Military Citizen of The Year Award.

    “I think one of the reasons it is so special is the fact we at the Navy League are not all from military backgrounds,” Reed said. “I’m not from a military background but for me personally this is a way I can give back and support you. I believe in the military and I believe in you guys.”

    Reed said the Navy League works with youth for NJROTC, Sea Cadets to the Navy personnel in the community.Reed

    “This is a great day for us to be able to recognize how much you give back to our community,” Reed said. “We really do appreciate and thank those of you that have done such a fantastic job of that.”

    Jackson serves as a PS “A” School instructor at NTTC Meridian. She volunteered many hours toward youth and sexual assault programs and participated in the POW/MIA ceremony and the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. She also served as the secretary on the Navy Ball committee.

    Her other volunteer work includes the Starkville Youth Offender Rehabilitation Program and the Supporting Women and Nurturing Survivors program that assists women who were sexually assaulted.

    Jackson said she was shock and amazed to be recognized for community service.

    “I want to thank my command and everyone for recognizing the work that’s put into these services,” Jackson said. “It has been hard but enjoyable. I love giving back to those that give to me. I plan on doing it every year. It is also an honor to uphold the legacy of AC2 Powell by being a community ambassador. As military we are known for protecting our country at sea and abroad but just to be able to give back to the communities at home is a blessing.”

    In 2013, the Military Citizen of the Year Award was named in honor of AC2 Powell, a well-respected Sailor who was extremely active in the community. Powell died in a tragic car accident Feb. 7, 2013.

    Other organizations honoring the nominees include the East Mississippi Business Development Corp. and Navy Federal Credit Union.

    Other nominees achievements and why they were elected:

    Derr is stationed at the NAS Meridian Chapel. She was selected as the NAS Meridian Blue Jacket of the Year for 2014. Some of her duties include coordinating worship services and setting up winging ceremonies and other events held at he chapel. She also serves on the Ceremonial Detail Team, assisted in the VITA Tax Center and coordinated the National Prisoner Fellowship Program this past holiday season that provided gifts for less fortunate children whose parents are in the  prison system. Her volunteer activities off base included the Freedom of Summer of 1964 Movement. Northeast High School NJROTC activities and career day, Bedford Care Center events, Mississippi Swim Association Invitational and Mississippi Veteran’s Cemetery activities. The volunteer activity she enjoys most is coaching Meridian Youth Girls Soccer.

    Flowers is currently stationed at Marine Aviation Training Support Squadron One and serves as a curriculum developer for the Aviation Supply Specialist Course. His volunteer work includes serving as a judge at Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps Sanctioned Academic, Athletic and Drill meets at Neshoba Central High School and Warren Central High School. He also participated in the Scooba Fall Festival.

    Clark is involved in patient care at the Naval Branch Heath Clinic. She also is taking classes a Meridian Community College pursuing a degree in nursing. She serves as president of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions and is vice president of the Clinic’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation Program. Her volunteer activities included assisting with the wheelchair basketball game, Special Olympics at Naval Construction Battalion Group Two in Gulfport and the Salvation Army Angel Tree.