Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Page

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS - Annette Slaydon first met Command Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Page on Halloween night 2007, a week after her husband lost an arm and was blinded by a roadside bomb in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Matthew Slaydon lay unconscious on a gurney in the belly of a C-17, his arm amputated and his face shattered, lacerated and grossly swollen.

"The plane landed and the engines were not even off, and up walks ... Chief Page in his uniform at 1 o'clock in the morning," Annette recalls. "He had never met me before ... and he just came up and he threw his arms around me, and he said, 'You're in Air Force country now. I got you. Everything's going to be OK.' ... That was the first time I really felt that things would probably be OK."

Matt doesn't remember that first meeting, but he says he will never forget a visit with Page about a month later:

"One day ... chief came to see me [in the hospital] and before he left he came over and put his arm around me, and he leaned down in my ear and he told me, 'We're going to get through this. ... If I have to carry you on my back, I will.' And he hugged me and left. He has been there for us ever since. And I know if he had to throw me on his back to get me over a hump, he would do that."

It's an extraordinary story of selflessness and compassion, but it is hardly unique.

More than a few people at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, have similar stories about Page, the command chief for the 12th Flying Training Wing. The 48-year-old has earned a sterling reputation on base and beyond for helping wounded troops and ordinary folks alike, and for his leadership of his airmen.

Page, who is retiring in October, has visited hundreds of wounded troops from all the services at nearby Brooke Army Medical Center, a level of dedication he says was inspired by seeing how few patients had visitors early in the war.

"They want people to know they're human beings," Page explains. "I look them in the eye and say, 'Hey man, how's it going?' A lot of times people don't know how to speak to them ... and how to react. ... The only thing I do is just give them hope — take them to a ballgame, a concert, have a beer at the house with them.

"Anything just to let them know ... [they're] not forgotten."

Senior Airman Daniel Acosta, who also lost an arm to a roadside bomb in Iraq, says Page has been a constant presence throughout his two-year recovery.

"He's probably been the person I talk to the most, just about anything," Acosta says. "Days where you're feeling depressed, because it's tough for someone who gets wounded ... just to have somebody to talk to and be there."

Page's commander, Col. Jacqueline Van Ovost, said the chief has an uncanny ability to connect with people of all stripes.

"There are 3,600 folks here that he mentors," she says. "But he has this ability to pick out the ones that need that touch right then. ... His forte is knowing you and knowing what you need."

That human touch is evident as Page makes his rounds of Randolph. Everyone from airman first class to retired generals clamor for his attention.

"I spent several years as a first sergeant, and the one thing I realized is that your office is just a cool place to hang pictures," Page says. "Your real office is out there on the streets."

Page says he plans to keep those people skills fresh after retirement, possibly working with wounded troops through the Veterans Affairs Department. "This is the least I can do for them," he said.

AO1 Melissa Hubenak

When asked to describe Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Melissa Hubenak, senior enlisted members in her command use the words "leader," "mentor" and "best of the best."

As leading petty officer for the base's weapons division, the full-time support sailor motivates many sailors new to the fleet. Senior Chief Air Traffic Controller Joseph Stone, the operations department's leading chief petty officer, praised her work in molding a group of raw recruits into a cohesive, efficient unit. He also noted that under her direction, the weapons division received a passing grade on its explosive safety inspection for the first time in six years.

Hubenak also is helping her community recover from 2005's Hurricane Katrina. She led a group of 30 sailors who demolished a storm-damaged home and helped rebuild facilities for Rescue Ranch, which cares for abused horses.

PS1 Amy Mello

When Personnel Specialist 1st Class Amy Mello sees a need—at home, in her community or in the fleet—she meets it.

Her husband, Curtis, notes the "amazing" job his wife does raising their two sons, one of whom has autism. She volunteers in her son's special education class and helps his teacher with projects. And to support other children with special needs, she created the nonprofit Puzzled Parents, helping families navigate resources.

In her role as leading petty officer for the manpower department, the full-time support sailor helps match the right people with the right job.

Mello's department head, Lt. Cmdr. Christine Pickett, praised the petty officer's organization and planning skills, noting her " 'never say die' spirit that inspires others to reach her level of humility, poise and compassion."

HM1 Tremaine Luster

NEW ORLEANS—Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Tremaine Luster is a busy man these days, as he has been since arriving in the Big Easy nine months ago.

Luster, the Navy Times 2008 Sailor of the Year, serves as enlisted detailer for more than 5,000 enlisted Navy Reserve medical personnel, leads weekly remedial physical fitness sessions at Navy Reserve Forces Command in New Orleans, runs in road races in the area, and visits local elementary schools to encourage students to stay away from drugs as part of Campaign Drug Free. He serves as his command's sexual assault program coordinator and has earned one bachelor's degree in health care management and another in human resources management.

"HM1 Luster inspires me and others, with the level of excellence and balance he brings, with all the different things he's engaged," Command Master Chief Daryl Green wrote in a nominating statement. "Command mission, command involvement, family, community — he's the complete package. And he does it all with a humble attitude."

Luster's schedule would be enough to tax the most salty chief, but according to his command, Luster takes it in stride — and was prepared to do more when another opportunity came along.

So now, on Saturdays, Luster takes the wheel of a Navy van and drives a group of shipmates to sites across New Orleans, where the sailors pitch in on construction and renovation efforts in neighborhoods devastated by Hurricane Katrina nearly three years ago.

In prior tours, Luster said, he focused more on work, school and family, but seeing the storm's effect led him to redouble his efforts.

"Before I got here, I didn't do a lot of volunteering," Luster said. "But when I did get here and saw the devastation that still remained even two years [after Hurricane Katrina], I just wanted to see what I can do to help."

That desire led him to team with five other first class petty officers to start a community outreach program that used sailors stationed in New Orleans as a volunteer labor pool. One sailor led efforts to help a local hospital, another supported a local high school. Luster, who says he never worked in construction until now, wanted to fix homes.

"In areas past the 9th Ward, it is still pretty bad from Katrina," Luster said. "Those houses still need a lot of rehabilitation. Any little part that we can participate in really helps."

The van came later, when he saw that driving volunteers to the worksite on Saturday raised attendance.

"That way there is no excuse," he said. "We all carpool in the van. We are able to get more people out when we do that."

"I am looking to expand it to two Saturdays per month," he said, adding that the sailors also recondition old doors, toilets and sinks, then sell them and donate the proceeds to local charities.

FULL-TIME RESERVIST FOR 12 YEARS

Luster, a Fleet Marine Force corpsman, has been a full-time Navy reservist for 12 years. Before arriving at New Orleans, he completed tours at Naval Operational Support Center Pensacola, Fla.; Marine Corps Reserve Center Dayton, Ohio; Reserve Liaison Office Portsmouth, Va.; and Reserve Center Brunswick, Maine.

Luster credits the experiences of his family members with giving him the drive to push himself professionally and academically.

"I have a brother currently incarcerated," he said. "He never finished high school. I have eight half-brothers and -sisters who I am very close with. Two of them graduated [high school]. The rest never finished. That leads to certain things you have to do to survive that you normally wouldn't want to do."

He said other family members, especially his father, provided an example of what not to do.

"I looked at him and said, I didn't want to be that way. I wanted to be more responsible. That led me to the military to pay for college because I knew my parents couldn't do it."

Gunnery Sgt Abiud Montes

Trouble always seems to find Gunnery Sgt. Abiud Montes, and trouble always seems to lose.

The two-time combat veteran earned a free flight from American Airlines by providing emergency medical care to a passenger during a May 31 cross-country flight.

On vacation, the 19-year reservist saved two relatives from drowning off the coast of Puerto Rico.

And when an elevator he and other potential jurors were riding in became stuck at a South Florida courthouse in 2007, Montes helped everyone escape, receiving praise from a judge.

Such examples highlight the grace under fire demonstrated by Montes, a paramedic in the civilian world.

"When we are on the scene, and someone's life is on the line, he's always focused and comes through on his end," said Simon Serrao, Montes' partner at the Hollywood (Fla.) Fire Department.

Gunnery Sgt. William Dixon

Originally from Evansville, Ind., Dixon has a 7-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son. The 37-year-old says he wants to stay in as long as the Corps will have him.

WASHINGTON—Gunnery Sgt. William J. Dixon has laid many to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, but few taxed his soul like the burial of the 2-year-old daughter of a junior Marine.

The child's death plunged her Marine father and his wife into the darkest period of their lives. So Dixon took on a role much deeper than the funeral director for Marine Corps Barracks Washington, D.C.

"I really had to nurture [that family]. I created a comfortable environment for them to walk through the valley of death," he said. "It's personal to me because this Marine is my brother, and that means his daughter is like my niece."

Dixon has been the point man for the past two years for Marine burials at the nation's most sacred burial ground, ensuring that Marines, their spouses and children receive the highest respect when they are laid to rest.

Some days, it's just one funeral. But others, he has to direct up to six. Like any one who deals so often with the intense grieving associated with death, Dixon said the duty can wear on his spirit.

"Sometimes I take home some bad days and some hard times," he said. "But I go home and give that to my God and I pray. And I don't complain."

Yet the 37-year-old Evansville, Ind., native never wavers from his solemn duty.

"His job is a very difficult one—physically, mentally and spiritually," said Gunnery Sgt. William Price, a public affairs staff noncommissioned officer at the barracks. "But he's in and out of this office in his dress blues, staying busy, and always, always being professional and dealing with families with the highest levels of respect."

Price, who nominated Dixon to be Marine of the Year, said the gunny ensures each service is personal.

"When he dips to one knee and hands that flag to the loved one, he's not just going through the motions. He looks deep into their soul and says a prayer," Price said. "Basically everyone he meets, he touches their lives."

When he's not graveside, Dixon often volunteers his time to several Washington area charities.

Some days he works with children who have lost parents in the military through the TAPS program. TAPS, short for Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, is a way for Dixon to continue his work of helping people grieve and honor their loved ones, he said.

He also works with the area's less fortunate.

"People don't realize that you don't have to be homeless to be hungry and in need," he said. "There are a lot of people out there who have a home but are still in need."

After two tours in Iraq, Dixon said he would be willing to return again tomorrow, if needed. But he's proud to be doing his part in the national capital region.

"A lot of young Marines want to be out in the fight, but it's important to know that no matter what your job is in the Corps, it's important to the overall mission," Dixon said. "We've all got to do our part in our own way."

As for that young Marine couple who lost their toddler daughter to a chronic illness, Dixon has kept in touch with them and helped them recover. The couple is trying for another child.

Staff Sgt. Lonnie Parker

Staff Sgt. Lonnie Parker "exemplifies the concept of service before self," writes a Marine major at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

An instructor at the base's School of Infantry-East, Parker is known as a tough but fair teacher who makes sure his students master the skills they need to succeed in the Corps.

He is also a single parent and a dedicated volunteer, working for free with a youth wrestling program and a nearby Boy Scout troop.

Staff Sgt. "Parker travels the entire state of North Carolina selflessly coaching young men in wrestling," wrote one Marine officer. He acts not only as a coach, but as a positive role model for many young men who don't have fathers, because of military service or other reasons."

Sgt Dara Laura

To Sgt. Dara Laura, everybody needs a little Christmas.

That's why the chaplain's assistant from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 526th Brigade Support Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, set out to spread some seasonal cheer throughout her unit in Iraq last December.

Laura distributed Christmas trees and decorations, helped organize company holiday parties and provided gifts to soldiers.

"Much of what Sgt. Laura does for soldiers is done on her own time, at her own expense and is at times outside her assigned duties," Anthony Laura wrote in an e-mail.

Dara Laura's giving spirit doesn't end with Christmas.

"One thing I have really been working on is ensuring soldiers are receiving mail and care packages while deployed," Laura wrote in a 2008 Service Member of the Year questionnaire. "Sometimes I will gather up items that I receive in my own care packages, divide them up and ship them to outlying [bases] for those infantry units that hardly receive anything."

Maj James Downing

Maj. James Downing isn't afraid to suffer for his men. Just before his deployment to Iraq in November 2006, the 82nd Airborne Division captain tore the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee. Rather than undergo surgery and miss the deployment, Downing strapped on a knee brace and led C Company, 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, through 15 months of combat missions.

"Major Downing always led from the front, often exposing himself to enemy fire ... while he himself had a severe orthopedic injury requiring surgery," Maj. Paul Schillaci, a physician assistant who deployed with Downing, wrote to Army Times.

Downing never let his men go on a mission without him. He led 56 combat air assault missions that killed 160 enemy fighters, Capt. Thomas Nelson wrote.

On one occasion, one of his platoons was under heavy enemy fire. "Major Downing led a patrol straight into the fight," Thomas wrote.

First Lt. Michael Hess, who served with Downing, wrote: "He's the reason I'm staying in the military, he's the reason I pushed my guys to the limit."

Sgt Jamiell Dominguez

Sgt. Jamiell Elizabeth (Goforth) Dominguez, 24, of Fort Hood, Texas, received a full scholarship from Viterbo University in Lacrosse, Wis., to participate in ROTC and become a commissioned officer.

But Dominguez asked the university to delay her scholarship so she could deploy for the second time to Iraq beginning in June. She is serving as a flight medic with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), 4th Combat Aviation Brigade.

Dominguez, who recently re-enlisted for six years, also was the brigade’s soldier of the year. She went on to win the 4th Infantry Division and Forces Command soldier of the year competitions and placed in the top three in the Sergeant Major of the Army Warrior of the Year Competition, earning a Meritorious Service Medal. Dominguez, who studied performing arts before enlisting in the Army, also has earned the Expert Field Medical Badge.

"There are no limits to her potential," Command Sgt. Maj. Mickey W. Somers wrote to Army Times.