PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - Navy Adm. James Winnefeld, Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, presented the Commander’s Community Leader Commendation to three Colorado Springs community leaders in a ceremony at the NORAD and USNORTHCOM headquarters today.
Lionel Rivera, Christian Anschutz and Kevin Estrem received the award in recognition of their long-standing support and advocacy for NORAD, USNORTHCOM and the Department of Defense. Each recipient receives an engraved medallion, certificate and a lapel pin.
In his time as mayor of Colorado Springs, Rivera was an aggressive advocate for the local military community through his support of city-sponsored military appreciation and recognition programs and events. As a member of the Colorado Thirty Group, Mr. Rivera advanced current military issues in the public eye, thus benefiting servicemembers and establishing community ambassadors for the military and the commands.
Anschutz was an attendee of the 2009 Department of Defense Joint Civilian Orientation Conference and the 2008 NORAD and USNORTHCOM Civic Leader Tour. As a member of several local and regional philanthropic organizations, he rallied support for homeland defense as well as military families and regional civil authorities.
Estrem aggressively advocated in support of policies and programs designed to better provide the military with trained personnel, modern weaponry and servicemember benefits to support the warfighter. He is president of the Lance P. Sijan Chapter of the Air Force Association and a member of the Military Affairs Council of Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the Air Force Sergeants Association.
The names of the honorees will be placed on the Commander’s Community Leader Commendation Program plaque in the main entrance of the NORAD and USNORTHCOM headquarters.