The American Red Cross recognizes Senior Master Sergeant Francis J. Lang as its 2007 Military Hero Award Recipient

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Patrick McNamara
  • 253rd Combat Communications Group
OTIS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mass --  The American Red Cross, Cape Cod and Islands Chapter, recognized Senior Master Sgt. Francis J. Lang from Forestdale as its 2007 Military Hero Award recipient at the 6th Annual Heroes Breakfast. 

Senior Master Sgt. Lang and 47 other heroes were recognized by businesses, community members, friends and family at the 6th Annual Heroes Breakfast, held on March 7th, 2008, at The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis. Master of Ceremonies at the breakfast was Peter Meyer, Publisher of the Cape Cod Times, and the awards were presented by various members of the community. A committee of six members of the community evaluated many nominations received from all over Cape Cod and the Islands. Lang is the first sergeant also known as "The First Shirt" of the 267th Combat Communications Squadron at Otis Air National Guard Base. As the first sergeant, his responsibility is to be the eyes and ears of his military unit and attend to the health and welfare of all members of the unit. He has been an excellent first sergeant and raised the esprit de corps to a very high level with the unit members. He has ensured that the morale and welfare of the troops has been met and that policies and procedures are followed in accordance with military standards. 

Over the past year, Lang has had direct involvement with identifying and resolving quality of life dormitory issues, contributing morale and welfare committee topics, assisting with recruiting and retention efforts and leading physical fitness events. He has been highly effective in mission success of the 267th as well as when he deployed as part of the 322nd Air Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Whether he is boosting the morale of his personnel or contributing a special article to the monthly newsletter, he leads by example and is the first to contribute time, talent and money to support the men and women in uniform. The mission of the 267th is to train people and be ready to deploy anywhere in the world on very short notice and provide quality communications in support of military requirements and other contingencies. 

For more information, about the Air National Guard and the 267th Combat Communications Squadron, please visit www.maotis.ang.af.mil. To view pictures of the 2007 Heroes, go to www.capecodandislandsredcross.org & www.PicturetheCape.com.