Coventry Residents Honored as 'Soldiers of Excellence'

The Rhode Island Chapter of the Association of United States Army (AUSA), together with Banneker Industries, recently recognized eight soldiers during its annual “Soldiers of Excellence” awards dinner held at the Quonset “O” Club.  

Soldiers were recommended by the Unit in which they serve in the U.S. States Army, Army Reserve and Army National Guard, and then go on to compete at higher levels to achieve the recognition for which they have been awarded. Award recipients received a free membership to the AUSA and a commemorative pen and pencil set. 

The following soldiers were honored at the ceremony:

Rhode Island Soldier of the Year, Army Guard

SPC Brian McGuire of Coventry

Rhode Island Recruiter of the Year, U.S. Army

SFC Seth Rathbun of Coventry

Rhode Island Soldier of the Year, Army Reserve

SPC Joshua E. Jensen of Providence, 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion

Rhode Island Station Commander of the Year, U.S. Army

SFC Ronnie Simonson

Rhode Island NCO of the Year, Army Reserve

SSG Keith J. Dumaine of Fall River, 443 Civil Affairs Battalion

Rhode Island NCO of the Year, Army Guard

SSG Albert Normandin of Cranston

Rhode Island Recruiter of the Year, Army Guard

SSG Adom Vita of Cranston

Rhode Island Recruiter of the Year, Army Reserve

SFC Melinda A. George of Cranston, R.I. Army Recruiting Company

“The Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) is the backbone of the United States Army, and these excellent soldiers honored this evening are tremendous examples of the leadership excellence required to succeed in the field,” said CSM Russell Pion, R.I. Army National Guard, who served as keynote speaker at the event.

Banneker Industries, a world class supply chain management company with a more than 20-year history of providing logistical support to aerospace and defense industry contractors, was the event’s primary sponsor.

“Banneker Industries is exceptionally proud to support the AUSA for the exemplary work they do to support the mission of the war-fighter,” said Cheryl W. Snead, president and CEO of Banneker Industries. “Banneker proudly serves aerospace and defense industry companies and, in fact, almost 20 percent of our workforce is comprised of active duty, reservist or retired military personnel.”