DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del.--Team Dover inducted 39 honorary commanders at the annual Honorary Commander Induction Ceremony Oct. 20 at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.
Col. Joel Safranek, 436th Airlift Wing commander, welcomed all attendees with opening remarks followed by the keynote speaker, Bobby Pancake, co-owner of High 5 Hospitality and a 3-term honorary commander.
For the first time, honorary commanders received awards during a newly implemented mini awards program segment of the event which recognized past members for exceptional program involvement.
Ronald Barisano, 512th Force Support Squadron honorary commander, received the Most Participative Award for his dedication in attending various functions in support of their unit and the base.
Christopher Giacomucci, 512th Airlift Wing honorary commander, received the Best Collaboration Award for partnering to reduce conflicts with hotel accommodations for the sports arena and the wing’s Unit Training Assemblies.
Lt. Col. Michael Morales, 436th Security Forces Squadron commander, was named the Military Commander of the Year. His honorary commander Maj. Sean Moriarty, the Kent and Sussex operations director for the Delaware State Police was bestowed the biggest honor of the evening – Honorary Commander of the Year. Together they embraced the mission of their unit, the base and goals of the Honorary Commander Program.
Setting the Honorary Commander Program forward into its 27th year, Safranek, and Col. Craig Peters, 512th Airlift Wing commander, administered the oath to the inductees. Honorary commanders also received their commander’s badge symbolizing their distinguished partnership with Team Dover.
The Honorary Commander Program partners Team Dover commanders with some of Delaware's business and civic leaders. The program encourages an exchange of ideas, experiences and friendships between key leaders of the surrounding communities and the base. By building and strengthening relationships, commanders and honorary commanders can impact the base and the community.
Honorary commanders experience the mission by receiving opportunities touring a C-5M Super Galaxy or C-17 Globemaster III, and other base missions.
Of the 39 honorary commanders inducted at the event, nine were assigned to 512th commanders and leaders. The 512th honorary commanders include:
Anthony Pullella, commandant of Delaware Military Academy
Toriano Giddens, principle at Towne Point Elementary
Allen Clark, senior manager, business administration at Dover Motorsports
David Repass, owner & operator of Meineke in Lewes
Ronald Barisano, admissions director at St. John’s Lutheran School
Sean Healy, vice president of Healy Long and Jevin in Wilmington
Tyler Kuhn, marketing director for Dover Federal Credit Union
Eliseo Valenzuela, president and CEO of First State Manufacturing in Milford
Jennifer Rambo, director of marketing for Mission BBQ
Several honorary commanders from last year’s program members were inducted into the Honorary Commander Alumni Association, where they can continue to support the base and mentor the new honorary commanders of fiscal year 2019.