2011 Thomas Flynn Award: Tech. Sgt. Michael Aducci, 102d CES

  • Published
  • By Capt. Andrew Smith
  • 102nd Civil Engineer Squadron
OTIS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mass. --  I've been associated with the Air Force for over twenty years and during that time I've seen the men and women of the military do extraordinary things in support of their military organization, their community, and one another.

So, it doesn't surprise me anymore to see military members go the extra mile to mentor junior airmen, support Wing activities, help families of deployed airmen, donate their time to a good cause, or put together a fund raiser to help someone less fortunate than themselves. One thing that does surprise me though, is a person who does all those things and has done so for many years. THAT'S someone special! One such person is Tech. Sgt.t Michael Adduci of the 102nd Civil Engineer Squadron and if you haven't heard, he's the 102nd Intelligence Wing Thomas Flynn memorial award winner for 2011.

The Thomas Flynn memorial award recognizes the accomplishments of an individual assigned to the 102nd Intelligence Wing who best displays the highest ideals of patriotism, morale, and dedication to duty. To give you an idea of why he was picked as this year's award winner here's just a small sampling of Tech. Sgt. Adduci's accomplishments. He volunteered and was called to State activation for Operations Big Ice, Rising Waters, and Hurricane Irene; volunteered to become the Civil Engineer Squadron Utilities shop training NCOIC, mentored junior airmen while deployed to Fort Indiantown Gap and Silver Flag regional training sites, and is a key member of a team of civil engineers who have supported the Pan-Mass challenge for seven years running. He has also helped raise over $5000 for a local construction worker injured and unable to work, and helps organize an annual motorcycle ride fundraiser for the Jamie A. Smith Foundation to provide financial support for his two surviving children. His accomplishments are truly outstanding!

Recently, I sat down with Tech. Sgt. Adduci to see what motivates him to do such an outstanding job. He told me that his strong desire to help others, a sense of personal gratification, and the ability to spend time with those he loves while helping others is all the motivation he needs.

As Tech. Sgt. Adduci said, "There are so many people that have greater issues than myself--such as cancer, autism, a house that has burned down--I just want to give back as much as I can." On top of that, "It's very gratifying knowing I've helped on some kind of level, whether large or small."

One special benefit of helping others is the quality time that he's able to spend with friends and family while doing so. He and his girlfriend Christina Harrington perform many of the accomplishments together. Just ask anyone in the Civil Engineer squadron and they'll tell you Christina and Mike are a great team who continually support military members and their community.

There's much to be said about the many selfless acts accomplished by Tech. Sgt. Michael Adduci. Please congratulate him the next time you see him on a job well done!