ADC Honored Military Employees

The Arizona Department of Corrections held a Flag Day ceremony yesterday to mark the sacrifice & bravery of its staff that have served their country in Afghanistan & Iraq since September 11th, 2001. The Event was held at the Phoenix Museum of History, on 105 North 5th Street.

During the program celebrating the commemoration of the U.S. Flag, the ADC honored its many employees on active duty & those who have served recently & returned to state correctional service. The dept. also acknowledged the families of ADC staff serving our country.

Among those recognized were 4 ADC employees who recently received military honors.

Sgt. Tony Jackson, from ASPC-Yuma received the Purple Heart after he was injured in Iraq in 2003. He later received the Army Commendation (Arcom) Medal for his role in identifying & capturing an enemy Iraqi sniper.

Corrections Officers Jose Isla & Pete Barwick also from ASPC-Yuma & ADC Training Officer David Truax will be honored for their efforts in support of operations following Hurricane Katrina. During Officer Truax’s relief effort, his forces rescued & evacuated survivors; provided medical assistance; distributed life support; & maintained law & order. He received the Meritorious Award for his efforts. Officers Isla & Barwick received the Humanitarian Award for evacuations after the hurricane.

Special guest speakers at the Flag Day event included Dept. Director Dora Schriro, Az. Senator Thayer Vershoor, Adjutant General David Rataczak of the National Guard, & Director of the Arizona Dept. of Veterans Services, Patrick Chorpenning.

The dept. currently employs 2,263 veterans, 25% of its workforce, of which 507 are Vietnam era veterans. The dept. has 79 employees currently serving on active duty with approx., 115 on standby.