Navy League selects Orrin Bryant as Military Citizen of the Year
Published 4:30 pm Tuesday, February 27, 2018
- Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris LiaghatReligious Program Specialist 2nd Class Orrin Bryant, left, is presented the AC2 Whitney Powell Memorial Military Citizen of the Year award by Bob Huff, president of Mississippi Council of the Navy League, Tuesday during a luncheon. The award is presented to a military member who dedicates must of their time to volunteering in the local community.
Each year the Mississippi Council of the Navy League makes the decision to recognize one enlisted military member at the Naval Air Station in Meridian for their dedication to community service in their free time.
This year, the Navy League offered the AC2 Whitney Powell Memorial Military Citizen of the Year Award to Orrin Bryant, the chaplain’s assistant for the NAS Meridian Chapel, during a luncheon on Feb. 27.
Bryant volunteers at local schools, Relay for Life, the Angel Tree Program and Bedford Care Center of Marion.
“To be able to go to this schools and mentor these young kids, build a relationship… it’s incredible,” Bryant said.
Bryant said that going into the community and volunteering showed the good side of the armed forces and allowed enlisted personnel to give back.
“It’s a surprise. It’s always a good feeling to be recognized but it’s a surprise,” Bryant said.
This year’s other nominees include:
Yeoman 1st Class Luis Chavera is the Leading Petty Officer at Naval Operational Support Center Meridian. He is the recipient of the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. His volunteer activities include Habitat for Humanity and the Angel Tree Program.
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class William Tallman who serves as the Medical Homeport Assistant Leading Petty Officer at Naval Branch Health Clinic Meridian. He volunteers with the Boy Scouts as a Wolf Den Leader and is now the cub master leading 40 children, coordinating pack campouts and community service program. He also is a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate.
The Whitney Powell Memorial Military Citizen Award is named for Whitney Powell, Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class, who died Feb. 7, 2013 following a fatal car accident. Powell founded the NAS Meridian chapter of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions, which discusses topics such as drug abuse, suicide prevention, and drinking and driving.
Powell also volunteered at the Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency, Wesley House Women’s Shelter and Calvary Chapel.
