Maurice
Bailey Presented Governor's Veterans Advocacy Award
November 12, 2007
Monday AM
The Veterans Day ceremony at the Alaska National Guard Headquarters
at Camp Denali,, Alaska had a little more excitement than usual.
Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell and Maj. Gen. Craig E. Campbell, commissioner
of the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, presented
the Governor's Veterans Advocacy Award to Maurice Bailey from
Wasilla.
Lt. Governor Sean Parnell
poses with Maurice Bailey, the 2007 recipient of the Governor's
Veterans Advocacy Award. Lt. Governor Sean Parnell presented
the award on behalf of the Governor for Bailey's outstanding
volunteer service to the veteran community.
Photo courtesy Office of the Governor
Maurice Bailey, 68, served 20 years in the United States Army
primarily as a helicopter crew chief. He served two full tours
in Vietnam, and retired at Fort Wainwright, Alaska in 1976. Bailey
is active with the many service organizations, perhaps most importantly
is his contribution to the veterans community through Veterans
Aviation Outreach, Inc.
Bailey recognized a need in the veteran community through his
recreational flying. Veterans in remote areas of the state had
difficulty reaching urban centers for VA appointments, funerals,
and healthcare checkups. As a result, Bailey started the Veterans
Aviation Outreach, Inc. in 2005 and began flying veterans from
rural areas to urban centers. Bailey flew all of the missions
by himself the first year and started gathering other veteran
pilots to help him out.
"Maurice epitomizes the spirit of Alaska," Governor
Sarah Palin said. "His can-do attitude is helping those
who have given the most to our country. I am very proud of what
he does for our veterans' community and I am proud to give him
this award."
Recipients of the Governor's Veterans Advocacy Award are judged
on four significant criteria:
1. a significant service to
veterans and their families
2. an extraordinary personal concern, compassion, and commitment
3. veterans organization activity, positions held, and lengthy
service
4. formation or participation in a new, innovative or creative
volunteer program, event or project
The Alaska Veterans Advisory
Council judges the nominations and passes its decision to the
Commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
for approval. The Commissioner then passes their recommendation
to the Governor for final approval. Nominations must be received
by August 1 of each year and may be mailed to Office of Veterans
Affairs; Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs;
P.O. Box 5800; Fort Richardson, Alaska 99505.
Source of News:
Office of the Governor
www.gov.state.ak.us
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©2007
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska
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