WASHINGTON (NNS)- August 28, 2015 — The Navy announced recipients of the 2015 Mrs. Sybil Stockdale Ombudsman of the Year Award August 25. While formally recognizing four notably outstanding individuals, the award honors the dedication and the contributions of all ombudsmen.
The ombudsman awardees, who were nominated by their commanding officers for serving their command and families with extraordinary, selfless dedication and commitment to family readiness, are:
* Ms. Karina Dickinson, Ombudsman for USS New York (LPD 21), representing the U.S. Fleet Forces Command
* Mrs. Cheryl Trujillo, Ombudsman for USS Hopper (DDG 70), representing the U.S. Pacific Fleet
* Mrs. Ronye McCarthy, Naval Station Rota Ombudsman Assembly Chair and Ombudsman for Commander, Task Force (CTF) 68, representing Navy shore activities
* Mrs. Colleen G. Weaver, Ombudsman for Navy Operational Support Center Sacramento, representing the Navy Reserve Force
Named in honor of Mrs. Sybil Stockdale the award memorializes her steadfast support to families of prisoners of war (POW) throughout her husband’s, Vice Adm. James Bond Stockdale, seven-year internment in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. She became a co-founder and national coordinator of the National League of Families, a nonprofit organization that worked on behalf of American Vietnam-era Missing in Action and POW Families, serving as their liaison to the White House and the Department of Defense.
“This award recognizes Sybil Stockdale who selflessly helped others and has continued to serve as an inspiration to all military families, including our amazing ombudsmen who go above and beyond for the Navy family,” said Vice Adm. Dixon R. Smith, Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC).
The recipients will be formally recognized at a ceremony at the San Diego Town and Country Resort Sept. 24 hosted by the San Diego Armed Services YMCA, USO San Diego, the San Diego Navy League and the Fleet & Family Support Center.
The Navy Family Ombudsman Program was created in 1970 by Admiral E.R. Zumwalt, Jr., then chief of naval operations (CNO), to improve communication between commands and the families of Sailors who served in them.