Former honorary commander wins humanitarian award

  • Published
  • By Kevin Gaddie
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR BASE, Fla. --  Chris Sehman, a former 36th Electronics Warfare Squadron honorary commander, recently won the Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher 2012 Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award.

The award was presented Jan. 10 by Michael Donley, the Secretary of the Air Force, and Crystal Fisher, the daughter of Fisher Foundation and chief executive officer and chairman Ken Fisher. The Fisher House Foundation has served more than 160,000 families and provided more than four million days of lodging, saving more than $192 million in lodging and transportation costs.

The award recognizes an individual or organization that demonstrates exceptional patriotism and humanitarian concern for Armed Forces members. An award recipient must exemplify the Fishers' personal qualities of patriotism, generosity and selfless dedication to improving the quality of life of Armed Forces members.

Sehman, a local businessman and community leader, was recognized for his support of 36 EWS, 16 EWS, 53rd Electronics Warfare Group, and other local military organizations, through sponsorship and participation in numerous fundraising events.

Among organizations that benefited from his efforts were Bob Hope Village; American Cancer Relay For Life; the Wounded Warrior Program and the Special Ops Warrior Foundation.

"Chris became part of 36th EWS's family and was the epitome of an honorary commander, said Lt. Col. Robert Epstein, the 36th EWS commander. "His tireless efforts to support our squadron and the local military community along the Emerald Coast not only improved the lives of our military members, but their families as well. Chris does all of this for all the right reasons, to enhance the civil-military relationship and to give back to the men and women of the armed forces. This is why our squadron submitted him for the Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award and why he won."

Sehman's establishments offer local military members and their families friendly, casual environments to relax and enjoy themselves in. He enjoys accepting requests to host fundraisers.

"I'm honored when they want to come throw their party, their informal side of it, on my deck," Sehman said. "It's my way of saying, 'absolutely, I'm there with you.' I want to have them there just because they're my neighbors. I'm not in there in the plane with them or carrying an M-16, but I feel like they're a part of my community. There's almost a fundraiser every week of some sort at one of my stores."

Sehman's efforts have benefited more than 30,000 local military members and their families.

"Congratulations on your selection as the Air Force winner of the 2012 Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award," said Gen. Gilmary M. Hostage, Commander, Air Combat Command. "You have set the standard of excellence in Air Combat Command and the Air Force - well done."