Delaware National
GuardCamp Honoree Ceremony 2002
Camp honors two legends
By Sgt. Joe Nye, Det. 1 444th Mobile Public Affairs
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The honoraries are accompanied by family for pictures after unveiling the newly-dedicated sign. Photo by Pfc. Eugena Roache . |
Two legends of the Delaware National Guard were honored with the state’s highest civilian award as they were the named the 2003 Camp Honoree for the Army and Air Guard.
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| Maj. Angela Showell reads permanent orders for Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Vernon Taylor, the 2003 Camp Honoree, Army. Photo by Pfc. Eugena Roache . |
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| Maj. Angela Showell reads permanent orders for Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) Melvin Gershman, the 2003 Camp Honoree, Air. Photo by Pfc. Eugena Roache . |
"It’s an honor to pay tribute to these two patriots", said Maj. Gen. Vavala, "Brig. Gen. Taylor literally changed the face of the Delaware National Guard and Chief Master Sgt. Gershman is one of the legends of the Air Guard with a heart bigger than a C-130."
The award is a long-standing tradition and given annually by a board to both an Army and Air Guard retiree whose service to the Delaware National Guard is of the highest order. The ceremony was attended by numerous friends, co-workers and family to include 12 active or retired general officers.
Brig. Gen. (Ret) Taylor served in the U.S. Army for 27 years beginning with his commissioning as a 2nd Lt. upon completion of ROTC at Morgan State College in 1969. After completing the Armor Basic Course and serving on active duty for 4 years, he transitioned to the Delaware National Guard in 1974 and served until his retirement in 1996 in a variety of roles.
Some of his main duties included serving as the Director of Plans, Operations and Training, commander of the 198th Signal Battalion, Race Relations/Equal Opportunity Officer, Commandant of the Delaware Military Academy and the Chief of Staff. Incredibly, along the way, he found time to attend and graduate from the Delaware Law School and has been a Magistrate Judge since his retirement.
"I am honored to receive this award, because there are many others who deserve this", said Taylor, the first African-American to be chosen for the Camp Honoree designation, "Every time I come back I’m always impressed with the quality and training I see of our soldiers and the best part of this award is it gives me the opportunity to come back and watch even more soldiers training."
Chief Master Sgt. Gershman served in the Delaware Air Guard for 39 years, beginning with his enlistment in 1960. Gershman made his presence felt early on, as he was selected as the Delaware Air National Guard Airman of the Year in 1962. He would later go on to even higher awards, being named the 1993 National Air Guard Ground Safety Manager of the Year.
Along the way, Chief Master Sgt. Gershman showed his versatility by achieving 7 different Air Force Specialty Code’s (AFSC) ranging from finance, communications, ground safety and even disaster preparedness. Highlights of his career including being the first Wing Chief Master Sergeant and being the 1st Sgt. of the 166th Airlift Wing during Desert Storm. It was in that role that enabled him to be on the very first mission flown into Iraq.
"There is no one I would rather share this honor with than with Vernon Taylor", said Gershman in his remarks, "I can remember for years marching around here in ceremonies for the Camp Honoree, but I never believed I would be a recipient of this award."
Read their biographies:
Brig. Gen. (Ret)
Vernon A. Taylor
Chief Master Sgt. (Ret) Melvin M.
"Sonny" Gershman