This is a picture of my mother, Francine Selina Bevis (maiden name Corey [ Khoury] ), and myself as a TSgt on Memorial Day 2002.  I had recently returned from Operations Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom in the Persian Gulf, having already been deployed in Kuwait on 9-11 supporting Operation Southern Watch. When I returned to the states, I was asked to deliver the Memorial Day speech in my hometown of Randolph Massachusetts at St Mary's Cemetery. My mother had asked that I wear some of my medals for the photo. The flag in the background I had flown over Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait for Veterans of Foreign Wars post 3389 from Randolph. I had also had a flag flown for American Veterans AMVETS post 51 also from Randolph Massachusetts. I am now retired from the Air Force Having served 23 years, 6 months. I spent my entire career as Telephone/Cable Installation and Repair for fixed, mobile, Combat, and Expeditionary Communication Squadrons and Elements. “NO COM, NO BOMB” “ONE TEAM, ONE FIGHT”

 

The following is an excerpt from my retirement Ceremony May 12th 2004

 

     For years Master Sergeant Wilbur has cared for military personnel, the veteran, the older citizen, and underprivileged youth. He and his spouse Lourdes have fostered 10 children in 18 years while also raising their own 3 children; Anthony, Miranda, and Ezequiel. While still raising children, he excepted a short tour assignment and deployed on multiple tours to the Middle East. 
     Shawn helped establish the Nebraska Veterans and Military Coalition. He is Commander of American Veterans (AMVETS) Post 727 in Bellevue Nebraska. He established the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Operation Uplink Free Calling Card program, the Operation USO Care Package and AT&T Free Calling Card Programs, and American Legion Post 331 Care Package Program on Offutt AFB Nebraska, local guard and reserve centers, and bases in the Persian Gulf. These programs combined brought $80K in donated funds in a 10 year period for Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. 
     He has brought guest speakers to Offutt AFB; Mr. Charles Chibitty last of the Comanche Code Talkers, Miss Durham W.W. II female pilot, and Mr. Lee Archer W.W. II  Tuskegee Airman. He helped W.W. II veterans such as Mr. Anthony Hernandez obtain his high school diploma under the State of Nebraska Operation Recognition Program. 
     He has been on the State of Nebraska Veterans Day Parade Council since the parades incorporation in 1999, including marching color guards in the parade, and 5 other Omaha area parades to include the Omaha St. Patrick’s Day Parade. 
     He is a writer for veteran magazine publications on veteran issues. Even now Shawn conducts live talk radio on Omaha AM radio stations concerning American patriotic values, and is a sought after public speaker for veteran issues. 
     He has addressed Nebraska State Legislation for the Air Force Sergeants Association, and has been honored by national, state, military, and civic leaders for his accomplishments supporting the military, veterans, and local community. In addition; Shawn actively supports Army, Navy, and Air Force JROTC at 6 local high schools. He also supports Army ROTC at Creighton University, and Air Force ROTC at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
 
Military Awards and Decorations
USAF Communications Maintenance Occupational Badge 
USAF Meritorious Service Medal
USAF Commendation Medal with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
USAF Achievement Medal with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster
USAF Meritorious Unit Award
USAF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device and 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
USAF Outstanding Unit Award (ribbon worn as the 4th Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
USAF Organizational Excellence Award
USAF Good Conduct Medal with 1 Silver Oak Leaf and 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal with 1 Bronze Campaign Star
Humanitarian Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal (1st in the USAF to receive the medal)
USAF Overseas Ribbon - Short Tour
USAF Overseas Ribbon - Long Tour
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
USAF Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
USAF Longevity Award with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
USAF NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
USAF Training Ribbon
United Nations Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal Government of Kuwait

 

Military and Civic Awards
*  1989 Lowery AFB Colorado Volunteer of the Year.
*  1993/1994 National Health and Human Services, Department on Aging. 
   Volunteer of the Year. Received by Congressmen, Senators, and Governors from Nebraska and surrounding  Midwestern states; and from members of the Presidential Cabinet.
*  1993/1994 Ike Freidman Award for Community Leadership. Received by AKSARBEN Board of Governors and Nebraska Governor/Senator Benjamin Nelson.
*  Wrote the Humanitarian Service Medal Package for 326 military members who fought back the waters of “The 1993 Great Midwestern Flood”.
*  1993/1994 Offutt AFB Volunteer of the Year.
*  1995 -1998 Various NCO of the Quarter Awards for the 55TH  Communications Squadron and 55TH  Communications Group.
*  1999, 2000, 2001 AMVETS Membership Award.
*  2000 VFW National Life Saving Award.
*  2001, 2002 VFW National Commander Recruitment Award.
*  2002 American Legion National Recruitment Award.
*  2002 Air Force Association Pittsenbarger Award.
*  2002 A.A.S. Electronic Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force.
*  2003-2007 many Veteran Service Organization Recruitment Awards.
*  Over the years received many letters of appreciation from military commanders, national, state, and civic leaders, and politicians.