Incirlik spouse nominated for Air Force-level award

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Battles
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  As Airman, "Service Before Self, Integrity First and Excellence in All We Do," are three values that must be upheld while serving as members in the U.S. Air Force. Little did the Air Force know that these values, which are instilled into each Airman, would also be passed down to their families.

One spouse's dedication to the men and women of Incirlik Air Base and those values are the reason she was selected to be a 2015 Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award nominee.

On March 20, 2015, in a room full of her military and civilian peers, Lt. Col. Erin McDonald, 39th Communications Squadron commander, made the official announcement that Christine Daugherty would compete for the coveted award.

"I feel really honored and excited at the same time to [be nominated] at such a high-level of competition for volunteer work that I considered as just doing my part to support the military and their families," Daugherty said.

Each year, only one spouse is chosen per major command, field operating agency and direct reporting unit to compete for the Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award. Christine is the wife of Master Sgt. Kenneth Daugherty III, 39th CS commander's programs section chief.

According to McDonald, Daugherty's selection was in large part due to her contributions to the squadron and base.

"Mrs. Daugherty is an outstanding contributor to the morale and welfare of the entire installation, no matter where she is assigned," said McDonald. "She has been representing not only squadron-level spouses, but has also represented the entire installation." 

The award is given to an individual or organization outside the Department of Defense that demonstrates exceptional patriotism and humanitarian concerns for members of the military or their families.

Daugherty explained the reason for her volunteer work is the positive influence it can have on the base community.

"The impact that you can make and the importance of knowing the families are taken care of," the nominee said. "It is not about the glory, it is so much more, to see a smile on a person's face and just with a little bit of time and involvement you can make a difference."

Daugherty has been serving and volunteering within the military community for more than 11 years.

"Mrs. Daugherty is as true to the requirement description as they get," said McDonald.  "She constantly goes out of her way to ensure that all personnel are taken care of and that any time support is needed that she takes care of it, no matter what the cause is."   

As part of her volunteer work Daugherty served as squadron key spouse, which supports military families not only during periods of deployments, but year-round by hosting squadron family events, spouse get-togethers, supporting events for single and unaccompanied Airmen as well as providing events that build squadron and base comradery.

"[Daugherty] has a true passion for the dependents that sacrifice so much to ensure that their military spouses, mothers, or fathers are able to complete the mission every day and not have to stress or worry about the home life," said McDonald.

Additionally, Daugherty has served on numerous spouses' club boards in a variety of positions. In these positions, Daugherty supported military families, local schools and private organizations amongst many other military benefiting programs.  

"[Daugherty] assists the squadron in any way that she can," McDonald said. "She has helped the key spouses through several events, cooked for multiple lunch and learns, and is always an ear for any spouse looking for someone to talk to. The Air Force needs more spouses like Christine Daugherty, who are willing to go out of their way and sacrifice their time and resources to ensure the well-being of not only other dependents but also the military members themselves." 

The Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award program was established in 1996 by the Secretaries of the Army, Navy and Air Force. The award is named in honor of Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher, both of whom contributed extensively to the support and welfare of U.S. military members and their families.