Grand Forks AFB ambassador receives national award Published May 18, 2009 By 2nd Lt. Anastasia Wasem 319th Air Refueling Wing public affairs GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The 5th Ambassador to Grand Forks Air Force Base, Mari Jo Shide was awarded the U.S. Air Force Distinguished Public Service Award by the Secretary of the Air Force, Michael B. Donley, and U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, General Norton A. Schwartz, during an Air Force Civic Leaders meeting in Washington, D.C., April 29. From January of 2006 to April of 2009, Ms. Shide distinguished herself as an Air Force advocate under the Air Force Civic Leader Program, a national group of community leaders that provide feedback to the Air Force on USAF strategic direction, mission and community relations. During this time, Ms. Shide served as the representative in Larimore, N.D. The award states that Ms. Shide provided individual advice concerning the development of programs and methods to attain maximum understanding and cooperation between affected civilian communities and the Air Force. Ms. Shide was also recognized for disseminating information about the Air Force's missions, roles, requirements and major programs through public speeches and personal contact. She was also recognized for this national-level award due to her intimate knowledge of Air Force operations and a deep grasp of social and economic issues vital to Grand Forks AFB and the surrounding region.