D-M Airman receives 2009 Shine Award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Washburn
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (ACCNS) --  Capt. Ethan Sabin, a fighter pilot from the 354th Fighter Squadron, received the 2009 Lt. Col. Anthony Shine Fighter Pilot Award in ceremony in the 355th Fighter Wing Headquarters building here Feb. 1.

The Shine Award is given annually to a pilot who is exceptional at flying and also heavily involved with the community.

In 1972, Colonel Shine, an A-7 pilot, disappeared above the border of North Vietnam and Laos, and was missing in action for 24 years. In 1996, the remains of the colonel were found and the Shine family was able to have a proper military funeral at Arlington National Cemetery.

"Thirty years ago, my mother established the Shine award to bring attention to the POW/MIA issue and to honor my father's excellence in flying and his commitment to community service," said Colleen Shine, daughter of Colonel Shine.

Captain Sabin was recognized because of the devotion to working with Habitat for Humanity and his organization of massive blanket and clothing drives, both in the United States and in Afghanistan.

Col. John Cherrey, 355th FW commander, presented the prestigious award to Captain Sabin.

"This truly is a prestigious award and I'm very humbled and grateful to receive it," Captain Sabin said. "I think the honor that goes along with this award is shared amongst fighter pilots and great Americans Air Force-wide, and I'm proud to be a part of this fabled history."

The award ceremony was certainly very special as two previous Shine Award winners were in attendance to meet and congratulate Captain Sabin, a first in the history of the award.

Robin Stoddard, a distributed mission operation Site manager, garnered the award in 1985. "I received the award 25 years ago, and it's great to see the Air Force carry on this legacy of heroes both in the air and on the ground" Mr. Stoddard said. "Captain Sabin is very well-deserving."

Retired Brig. Gen. Guy Walsh of the Maryland Air National Guard received the award in 1991. "It's a tremendous opportunity to present the award to Captain Sabin. I was able to see first-hand what he does as an Airman and not only as a pilot but also in what he did working for the Afghan kids and for the different community efforts while in Kandahar," General Walsh said. "It has been a great honor."

Ms. Shine continues to raise awareness of those who are POWs or MIA. "There are still 1,702 Americans unaccounted for from Vietnam," she said. "Not just statistics, but husbands, fathers, brothers and sons who are missed and loved and remembered. There are now over 600 U.S. personnel both military and civilian, working full time to account for America's POW/MIAs not only from Vietnam, but also World War II and Korea."

For more information, visit the National League of American POW/MIA website at www.powmialeague.org.