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Stories of Service: Viewers send in pictures of their military heroes

Many of you email First Coast News photos of your loved ones who are serving our country. This week, we want to feature some of those great service members.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Anthony Austin was looking through his emails and noticed many of you have sent me some great pictures of your military heroes. This week, we want to show you some of those photos and talk about their amazing achievements.

Credit: Tech. Sgt. Jim Bentley
Airman 1st Class Cameron Thomas, 332d Expeditionary Communications Squadron Base Equipment Control Officer, in front of the Communications Focal Point at an undisclosed location, Southwest Asia, Nov. 10, 2022. Thomas was recognized as Warrior of the Week because of single-handedly managing an Information Technology inventory, work that would normally be accomplished by four to six people. (U.S. Air Force photo by: Tech. Sgt. Jim Bentley)


Catherine Thomas sent me this picture of Airman 1st Class Cameron Thomas. He was born in Jacksonville and attended Duval County Public Schools. Thomas went to the U.S. Air Force basic training program in Texas in fall of 2021.  He's currently deployed in Southwest Asia. This month he was recognized as "Warrior of the Week."  Thomas manages Information Technology inventory. I'm told that's work that normally would be accomplished by four to six people. He's a one-man shop controlling a combined $14.7 million in assets. 

Credit: Lt. Andy Coen and Lt. Ted Diamond

This is a picture of Lieutenant Andy Coen and Lieutenant Ted Diamond.  They are both active-duty naval flight officers at Patrol Squadron Thirty at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. 

In addition to their careers as Naval Officers, they are both American Red Cross volunteers. In October, Lieutenant Coen and Lieutenant Diamond represented the Red Cross at an event called "St. Johns County Homeless Veterans Stand Down." Together, they were able to give back to homeless veterans in the community, many of whom were affected by Hurricane Ian. At the event, many homeless veterans were given new clothes, medical care, food, supplies, haircuts and even new bicycles.

If you have a story of service to share, email storiesofservice@firstcoastnews.com.

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