Service Person of the Week July 1, 2009

Col. Bill Sahno, USMC, By Carolyn Wall

Col. Bill Sahno, USMC: Bill Sahno has a mission in life. A career military man for 30 years, the retired Marine is the man you think of when you think of patriotism in Payson, whether it's Veterans' Day or the Fourth of July. "Patriotism is one of the best common denominators to help us define what our community is all about," he says. Sahno was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1962 and served combat tours in Vietnam and in command and staff positions around the world. "My career highlight was serving as the Deputy Commander of the Defense Depot in Ogden, Utah," Sahno said. He played a role in the Vietnam War and in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf War, and retired at Barstow, CA, as a Colonel, earning the Legion of Merit and other personal awards, unit awards and Combat Action Ribbons. He came to Payson in 1994 and shortly afterward, was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. He went through treatment, but never stopped being involved with the community. A charter member of the Rim Country Chapter of the Marine Corps League, he earned the Distinguished Service Medal, its highest honor, and was recently elected to be the Commandant. He has been a member of the Payson Flag Committee since 1996 and personally places the flags in flagpoles around town for special events. Sahno has taken the responsibility for programs for Memorial Day, Veterans' Day, Flag Day and the Fourth of July."Our freedoms are precious commodities which must be protected and cherished by all our citizens and not be taken for granted," Sahno said. "We must take care of each other," he said. "Payson is a caring community and most fortunate for having many volunteers who are active and care about their community. Caring and sharing are key ingredients in the quality of life equation."

Capt. Gabriel Mesa, USA

Pictured:Capt. Mesa (L) in the Middle East: Captain Gabriel Mesa was born at Miami Inspiration Hospital and lived in Globe, AZ, most of his life. As a freshman at Globe High, he enrolled in the JROTC Tiger Battalion, and he participated in the American Legion’s "Boys State" program. Gabriel completed all four years of JROTC, graduated in 1995, and was selected for an Army ROTC Scholarship. Gabriel enlisted in the Arizona National Guard during his junior year at NAU and served as a platoon leader in the 1404th Transportation Company. Gabriel graduated from NAU in spring of 1999, and in the summer, Gabriel was discharged from the National Guard as a Sergeant, completed an Army ROTC Advanced Camp, and received a commission in the United States Army Reserve. Gabriel returned to NAU to begin his masters degree in counseling in the fall, but Mesa, a newly commissioned Second Lieutenant, received his orders for activation in January of 2000. Before leaving Arizona, Gabriel organized a group of men from the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity to come to Miami and participate in the Habitat for Humanity program, helping to build the Festival House in Miami across the street from the Miami library. Two weeks later, Gabriel was off to a Chemical Officer Basic Course at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. After training at Fort Bragg, NC, 2LT Mesa was assigned to a Parachute Infantry Regiment as a chemical officer. After 19 months in "Three Panther," he was recommended by his battalion commander to serve as the 3rd platoon leader in the 21st Chemical Company, the only airborne chemical company in the free world. They were to provide smoke and decontamination support to the 82nd Airborne. As a platoon leader, 1LT Mesa completed a Jumpmaster course and returned to the 21st Chemical Company to conduct training for Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Company deployed in January of 2003, leaving 1LT Mesa in the rear detachment as a trainer. After a transfer, Gabriel was promoted to Captain (July 2003) and deployed to Iraq with the 82nd Aviation Brigade. They provided attack and lift helicopter assets to the units at Al Ramadi and Fallujah. After 7 months, the brigade returned to Fort Bragg. and Capt. Mesa returned to Fort Leonard Wood to complete the Chemical Captains Career Course. In January of 2004, CPT Mesa was reassigned to Fort Campbell, KY, to join the 101st Airborne's "Bastogne Brigade." CPT Mesa was selected to be the Brigade's liaison to the 101st Airborne Division, and deployed in that position to Operation Iraqi Freedom in September 2004. In September of 2005, he redeployed from Iraq and he became Commander of the 63rd Chemical Company at Fort Campbell. In 2007, he prepared his company to conduct a convoy transportation mission. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, in February 12, 2008, with 67 Soldiers. The company arrived in Bagram, Afghanistan, and began to train and "build a company out of nothing." The company began combat missions in June of 2008 and in 8 months of combat operations, the 63rd Chemical Company completed over 90 combat patrols delivering equipment for the troop surge in Afghanistan. They were engaged by the enemy eight times and lost no soldiers or equipment due to enemy contact or accidents, and the company received numerous group and individual awards, a tribute to their training and discipline. Throughout his career, Captain Mesa has earned a number of personal medals, including three Army Commendation Medals and the Bronze Star. Captain Mesa returned with the 63rd Chemical Company on January 28, 2009.

Gila County SOS

Please send the names and addresses of those serving in harm's way and the name, address and phone number of a local contact to Gila County SOS, PO Box 762, Globe, AZ 85502