Weather squadron first sergeant selected for meritorious service award Published Aug. 4, 2009 RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The first sergeant for the 14th Weather Squadron was recently selected by the Air Force as one of two winners of the 2009 Society of American Indian Government Employees meritorious service award. Master Sgt. Angela Tristan, a 20-year veteran of the Air Force, received the award in June at a ceremony in San Diego. "I was shocked and incredibly humbled," Sergeant Tristan said. "SAIGE is an outstanding organization and to be honored by them with this award is one of the highlights of my career." The SAIGE is a non-profit organization that is designed to promote the recruitment, retention, development and advancement of American Indian and Alaska Native government employees, and work to ensure their equal treatment under the law. "To represent my brothers and sisters serving is an incredible honor," Sergeant Tristan said. "It's our diversity that makes the Air Force so strong and we all bring something different to the mission." Sergeant Tristan led the groundbreaking ceremony of a Fallen Airmen's Memorial, served as the senior enlisted member of the only honor guard in western North Carolina and led a team of seven in Washington, D.C. in preparing the Vietnam War memorial for 4th of July celebrations. The 14th WS first sergeant also devoted hundreds of hours to public service for her community, coaching three youth sports, mentoring 30 foster children and promoting math and science programs in a rural farm community school. Sergeant Tristan was joined at the ceremony by Rhonda Battles, who is assigned to the 343rd Training Squadron at Lackland AFB, Texas, as the other award winner.