Daughters of the American Revolution Honor first Patriot Award Recipients

YORKTOWN, Va. (NNS) -- Members of Comte de Grasse Chapter National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) awarded the first recipients of the Yorktown Patriot Award, June 4, at Naval Weapons Station (WPNSTA) Yorktown.

The Yorktown Patriot Award is presented to women serving in the United States military who have made outstanding contributions to their faith, their country and their military service community.

The award is presented to one officer and one enlisted Sailor from personnel serving at WPNSTA Yorktown and its tenant commands. The 2012 awardees were Lt. Cmdr. Liliana Flores, executive officer, Navy Expeditionary Medical Support Command (NEMSCOM) and Information Systems Technician 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare) Theresa M. Jacobsen from Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MESRON) 12.

"The purpose of the award is to recognize and express gratitude to active duty female military personnel for their service and for their exemplary performance in upholding the motto of the National Society. That motto is "God, Home, Country," said Dr. Frances Holt, executive director, Navy Munitions Command and member of Comte de Grasse Chapter, NSDAR.

The Yorktown Patriot Award is currently a local chapter award that the members of the Comte de Grasse chapter hope will someday become a national award. The award was created by Linda Lee and Nan Fogler as part of NSDAR Project Patriot initiative. In addition, former WPNSTA Yorktown Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Mickey Reilly, was also involved in the development of the award.

"I am always looking for ways to recognize our outstanding Sailors," Riley said. "This award helps bring our Sailors together with the local community."

As executive officer for NEMSCOM, Flores oversees the management of day-to-day operations-such as training, maintenance and logistics-in order to support warfighters with the right medical resources anywhere in the world. During her 12-year Navy career, she has deployed three times for operational tours, including officer in charge, Deployed Warrior Medical Management Center, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.

Off duty, Flores volunteers annually with DeSarrollo Integral de La Familia (DIF) in Esqueda, Sonora, Mexico, bringing clothing, food and household items to elderly and women living in poverty. She was recognized by DIF with a dinner in her honor, where she met some of the people her donations helped.

Jacobsen has multiple duties at MESRON 12. She is the leading petty officer, communications watch supervisor, expeditionary warfare qualification staff coordinator, command assistant fitness leader, command management equal opportunity manager, command individual augmentee coordinator, morale welfare and recreation committee president, treasurer, and command assistant technical representative.

In addition to all her duties, Jacobsen takes time to coach with the Williamsburg Youth Baseball League (7-year-old machine pitch), to mentor young enlisted female Sailors with the Women's Navy Mentorship Program, and to volunteer with Fairy Godmother of Virginia, a non-profit that collects and donates prom dresses, shoes and accessories for less fortunate high school students so they can attend their high school proms.

In the end, both candidates displayed the very best of the Navy and the nation and the representatives of the NSDAR extended their heartfelt appreciation for these women as well as all members of the Armed Forces.

"I would like to thank all of our military personnel for the great contributions you make toward preserving our freedom," Holt added. "We salute all of you!"

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