Eglin Airman accepts Hennessy award from Iraq

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  • 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
ALI BASE, Iraq --  An Airman deployed from the 96th Services Squadron, was recently awarded the John L. Hennessy Travelers Award for 2009. 

Staff Sgt. Wendell N. Bowles II, currently deployed to the 407th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, Ali Base, Iraq, was named the most outstanding food service person of the year during an awards presentation at the National Restaurant Association Food Service Convention in Chicago May 15. 

As the winner, Sergeant Bowles will receive a $5,000 scholarship to be used toward furthering his education in the food service industry. In addition to the scholarship, he earned a week-long course of study at The Culinary Institute of America in Greystone, Calif. 

"I never thought I had a chance to win the Hennessy Travelers Award, so it was a shock when the commander announced it," said Sergeant Bowles who's an assistant manager of the Eglin Oasis Dining Facility. "I'm still in shock knowing I was chosen to receive such a prestigious award, and I'm humbled by the selection." 

A team judging the squadron's dining facilities for the 2009 Hennessy Trophy nominated Sergeant Bowles to represent Air Force Materiel Command for the award. He competed against other food service Airmen around the world to determine the winner. The 96th SVS took home the 2009 Hennessy trophy in the multiple-facility category. 

Earning the award caps the Fort Lauderdale native's approach to doing one's job and establishing the importance of working as a team. He also understands it's a reflection of how hard Airmen in his dining facility work to support the squadron's mission. To him, the award is for them. 

"We were focused on the task at hand," Sergeant Bowles said. "We work hard but have fun, and always share our job knowledge with each other and strive to make our facility better." 

Lt. Col. Harry Lane, 407th EFSS and 96th SVS commander, was impressed with the food service team's win and also with Sergeant Bowles' win in the individual category. 

"The Hennessy Award is the highest honor an Air Force dining facility can attain," Colonel Lane said. "Our junior NCOs and Airmen put a lot of effort into our success at the command and Air Force levels. Selection as the Air Force Hennessy Traveler recognizes Sergeant Bowles as having stood out above all other Airmen in this Air Force-wide competition. This is a huge honor for Sergeant Bowles and the 96th Services Squadron, and very well deserved." 

According to the Hennessy Travelers Association website, the annual awards program began in 1956 when hotel and restaurant executive, John L. Hennessy began working to improve military food service. Judges for the award come from the Society for Food Service Management, the National Association Restaurant Association and the International Foodservice Executives Association. 

(Compiled by 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs Office)