Nellis Honor Guard member earns congressional gold for public service

Dick Benoit

Thursday, July 19, 2001 | 8:42 a.m.

A Nellis airman has been recognized with the Congressional Award Gold Medal, the highest honor given by the U.S. Congress to acknowledge the accomplishments of youth. Airman First Class Mathew Kurian, a member of the 99th Supply Squadron at the base, was one of 121 young people nationwide to receive the honor.

The Congressional Award is a public-private partnership created by Congress to recognize achievement and service in American youth between the ages of 14 and 23. Through the award, Congress honors and encourages volunteer public service and recognizes the unsung accomplishments of young Americans

Kurian's service included helping children in ceramics, an art form in which he has excelled, capturing several awards in past contests. He also volunteered 400 hours to public service, 200 hours to personal development and 200 hours to physical fitness to meet the criteria for the award.

A member of the Nellis Honor Guard, Kurian represented himself and the Air Force well during flag presentations to families of deceased veterans, according to his former supervisor, Tech. Sgt. Elton Harris.

Familiar territory

The president's announced nominee for Air Force chief of staff is no stranger to Nellis Air Force Base. Gen. John P. Jumper was first assigned to Nellis in 1977 as a flight instructor for the Fighter Weapons School. He returned in 1982 to head up the Safety Office for the 474th Tactical Fighter Wing, then stepped up to command the Wing's 430th Tactical Fighter Squadron in 1983.

After serving in the Tactical Air Command Headquarters at Langley Air Force Base, Va., and commanding a wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Jumper returned to Nellis in 1988 to head the 57th Fighter Weapons Wing, which oversaw the Fighter Weapons School, the Aggressor Squadrons and a variety of air combat training functions at the base, including the Red Flag air combat exercises.

Nellis airmen said this week they believe the president made a great choice in Jumper. Maj. Michael Stapleton, a weapons school instructor, said "I think this is good for Nellis, it's good for the Air Force, and it's good for the U.S military across the board. Gen. Jumper has a focus on people and he's got a vision for air power that's going to keep America's military the dominant force in the future."

In brief