DoD honors Tucson citizen

  • Published
DAVIS-MONTHAN --  Defense Department officials named the recipient of the 2003 Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award Aug. 12.

Dorothy Hunt Finley, a Tucson, Ariz., citizen dedicated to showing continuous support to the base here and the U.S. armed forces, was chosen to receive the annual award.

The award, named in honor of Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher, is the premier recognition for citizens who offer exceptional support through their own time and assets to help the men and women serving in the armed forces of the United States. The recipient exemplifies the Fishers personal qualities of generosity and selfless dedication.

Ms. Finley has served as a public servant for the greater Tucson community for years in a variety of public and private capacities, which have all served to foster a closer relationship between D-M and the city of Tucson, read the award nomination.

But the award is only a small sign of the gratitude the base feels toward all that Ms. Finley does.

She is the matriarch of Tucson, whose service and sacrifice provide significant impact to our ability to fight when called, as well as develop and nurture our Airmen, said Col. Michael Spencer, 355th Wing commander.

Ms. Finleys dedication to the base is an emotion that runs deep.

The military is a part of who we are in Tucson. It has been a part of [the city] since its inception, Ms. Finley said. The military makes the United States the great country it is today. They voluntarily put their lives on the line and I have so much admiration for what they do.

Ms. Finley is one of the founding members of a group called the DM-50 whose mission is to promote further development and enhancement of the relationships between D-M, its personnel and the entire Tucson community.

We like to see ourselves as a welcoming committee, Ms. Finley said. The people at the base are mostly new. We must continue to welcome them and help them get oriented to our community.

Ms. Finley and the DM-50 use a variety of programs to make sure all Airmen and their families feel like a part of Tucson. In the past 10 years, the DM-50 has donated more than $202,000 for the annual picnic. The organization also hosts dinners and golf tournaments for local military, business and political leaders, and has contributed more than $390,000 to D-M for programs to promote quality of life and sustainability of the base.

Ms. Finley is the driving force behind the DM-50, providing direct support for awards, funding of activities that benefit the Air Force mission, support programs and activities having a direct impact on the Airmen of the 355th Wing and 12th Air Force, said Maj. Laurel Tingley, 355th Wing public affairs officer. Her selfless dedication and support is instrumental in making the pubic more aware of what D-M means to Tucson and the state of Arizona.