139th News

Wing's carpenter gets Governor's 'well done'

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
  • 139th Airlift Wing
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. --  A state carpenter employed at the 139th Airlift Wing received an award from Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon here May 10 for his public service.

Mark Young and five others earned the 2012 Missouri State Employee Awards of Distinction, given by Gov. Nixon in a morning ceremony at the Capitol. His wife, Zara, as well as Maj. Gen. Stephen Danner, Adjutant General and Col. Michael Pankau, 139AW commander accompanied him.

"On behalf of six million Missourians, I thank you for your work," Nixon said to the awardees.

The annual award is presented for outstanding achievement in six categories: heroism; human relations; innovation; leadership; public service; and safety.

Young said received the award because of his public service as a Chaplin with the Boy Scouts of America in south St. Joseph, Mo., among other volunteer work in the community.

"Last year, we started a Boy Scout troop with four boys, and now there are 17," said Young. "I enjoy working with the kids ... I have a grandson who is in the scouts ... we take the boys camping, and we help the community."

Danner thanked Young for his service as well pointed out Young's accomplishments for the governor.

"He is very active in his church and at the food kitchen in St. Joseph," said Danner. "We are really proud of him."

The 139th Airlift Wing holds State Appreciation Week each June to recognize its handful of state employees who work fulltime at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base. Young works with the Civil Engineer Squadron there.

Pankau said state employees are vital to the mission and are as equally important to him as the Wing's citizen-Airmen.

"They are a valuable part of our team, there's no doubt about it," said Pankau.