CHIEVRES, Belgium - The Department of the Army awarded USAG Benelux and American Forces Network Benelux top honors in the 2009 Maj. Gen. Keith L. Ware Public Affairs Competition.
Together, the two Benelux organizations received five first place awards and two second place awards at the DA level.
The annual Secretary of the Army-sponsored competition rewards, inspires and recognizes Army military and civilian public affairs specialists who best represent the highest standards of the Army through their use of print and broadcast products and community relations activities.
"These awards are a real testament to the outstanding talent that exists at both AFN Benelux and the USAG Benelux and Schinnen PAOs," said Col. James Drago, USAG Benelux commander, "but what I am most proud of is the teamwork they displayed as they achieved each of these milestones."
USAG Benelux's three first place awards centered on the garrison's tribute the 65th anniversary of the liberations of Belgium and the Netherlands after World War II.
The USAG Benelux Public Affairs Office was recognized as having the best community relations program in the Army. Throughout 2009, PAO staff coordinated a variety of ceremonies from small events in far-off fields in Belgium to the massive commemoration for the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne.
The pinnacle of the community relations program was the signing of the community covenant between USAG Benelux, the city of Bastogne and the Belgian army 1st Field Artillery Regiment, a pledge that is rarely accomplished by garrisons abroad.
"Bastogne residents take the duty of memory very seriously," said Philippe Collard, the city's mayor. "The military bonds from the past illustrate a common denominator today. Just as we are again partners on the battlefield in support of NATO, we continue to be partners in the community."
Leading up to the Bulge tribute, PAO produced a 52-page commemorative issue of the Benelux Edge (the Edge 65) that featured the continued U.S.-European Alliance. It was awarded first place in the special achievement in print media category.
The walk through time, that was printed in both French and English, began with a brief history of the road to liberty followed by first-hand accounts and memories from U.S. Belgian and Dutch veterans and citizens who lived through World War II. It also highlighted the future of the Alliance with stories on the U.S. war cemeteries in the Benelux, how the color guard pays honor to fallen veterans and the lasting partnerships with Benelux host nations.
This magazine, combined with a special Benelux World War II Web site and a series of Battle of the Bulge television and radio reports, helped USAG Benelux capture the Army's best command information plan. The award was due in large part to the partnership USAG Benelux has with AFN Benelux.
"AFN is one of the most effective means of getting accurate and timely information about our garrisons to the members of our community," said Drago. "They're always there telling our story and are an important part of our strategic communications plan."
AFN Benelux Broadcast Operations Chief Sean Patrick, who was named the Army Civilian Broadcast Journalist of the Year in 2006, captured another award in 2009. His promotion for the AFN Europe Report on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall was named the Army's best radio promo production.
The Army also awarded AFN Benelux the best radio newscast in the Army with the Benelux Radio Update.
"This is a win for teamwork. Truly working together with USAG Benelux and Schinnen - as a team - I think was decisive in our organizations (PAO and AFN) winning these honors - in particular for the Battle of the Bulge campaign. We are all one team. Of course, I'm also so proud of our AFN staff of producers. It is such a talented group of people we have. I'm blessed to be a part of it," said Patrick.
AFN Benelux received second place in the command information plan category with its special on the 60th anniversary of NATO. USAG Schinnen also received a second place community relations award in the event category for its joint 40th Anniversary/65th Liberation Fest.
The 65th anniversary of the end of World War II continues until May 8 - Victory in Europe Day. Learn more about this commemorative anniversary and download English or French copies of the Edge 65 at the special Benelux World War II Web site at www.usagbenelux.eur.army.mil/botb.asp.
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