Retired Colonel Caroline Fawkes, seen center-right above, a native Virgin Islander currently serving as the territory’s Supervisor of Elections, was recently recognized by the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) for her contribution as the chairperson of the committee establishing the Lieutenant Colonel David C. Canegata III scholarship, according to a release issued early Saturday.
The Lieutenant Colonel David C. Canegata III scholarship is offered to high school seniors within the Virgin Islands or members of the Virgin Islands National Guard with ten years of service or less.
The National Guard Association of the United States is the Guard’s primary advocate in Washington D.C., educating Congress on the roles, capabilities and requirements of the nation’s first military force. Flanked by General Officers on her left and right, Col. Fawkes was bestowed with the Meritorious Award while attending the NGAUS annual conference which took place in New Orleans, Louisiana, according to the release. The conference was attended by over 4000 plus active and retired military officers.
Col. Fawkes served over thirty years as a Soldier before retiring. While serving Fawkes, among other accolades, was the first female to pilot the C-23B Sherpa Aircraft within the entire United States Armed Forces.
LTC David C. Canegata III and Mrs. Fawkes served together within the Virgin Islands National Guard. Unfortunately, LTC David C. Canegata III, a Virgin Islander, lost his life in the line of duty while deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism in January of 2007.