CRESTVIEW — Recognizing a Crestview veteran's contributions emphasizes the importance of the Economic Development Council’s Defense Support Initiative to the tri-county region, business leaders say.
DSI representatives Kim Wintner and Jim Heald honored Maj. Tom Moody, U.S. Army (retired), for his seven years of volunteer service. The initiative, formed in 1991, aims to attract, maintain and support military units’ county presence “while advocating for environment and community infrastructure," Moody’s proclamation states.
“We couldn’t doour support to military members without Tom,” EDC board chairman Heald said during Thursday's presentation at the Crestview Community Center.
Moody, appointed in 2007 as the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce’s representative, “tirelessly provided his subject-matter expertise in liaison execution for Army 6th Ranger Training Battalion, the 919th Special Operations Wing, the Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal School, the Florida National Guard, and the Army 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) cantonment site development and personnel community integration,” an EDC proclamation states.
Moody developed “an extensive regional brief” delivered by the Northwest Florida Defense Coalition in Washington, D.C., and facilitated DSI leadership site tours of local military installations.
In addition, he has tirelessly advocated for local military programs and units, and for veterans support services, according to the EDC’s proclamation.
“Tom is our star member,” chamber of commerce Executive Director Wayne Harris said. “You can count on him night and day.”
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Defense Support Initiative recognizes Crestview veteran's service