Global Strike team member, family named Louisiana 'Family of the Year'

Published April 30, 2012
By Kate Blais
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Service before self is an Air Force core value instilled into every Airman. For Air Force Global Strike Command team member Steven Cadwell and his family, this value is something they practice regularly within the community.

Cadwell, Centralized Asset Management program manager in Global Strike Command Logistics, Integration and Support, his wife, Mary, and their four children, have been honored as the Knights of Columbus Louisiana State Council 2011-2012 Family of the Year.

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic fraternal organization divided into councils throughout each state, with Louisiana claiming more than 300 councils and about 40,000 members.

Each council submitted a nomination to the state council who then reviewed each one and chose the top family.

"First of all, we're shocked," said Cadwell of being notified about the award. "We're honored that the Knights of Columbus have chosen us for this award. As part of the Knights of Columbus, we all volunteer, so being labeled as the top pick for this year is quite an honor."

Cadwell and his family, members of a council in Shreveport, La., are actively involved with numerous council and community programs such as volunteering with the Special Olympics; instructing religious education classes; organizing and cooking for youth lunches; hosting international students, which currently includes Russian exchange student Ana; and the list goes on.

"That's just part of who we are, and what we are," said Cadwell. Who also said the more he and his family invest into an opportunity to volunteer or be involved, the more they take away from it.

Cadwell, a retired chief master sergeant, attributes some of his sense of leadership and stepping forward to take on community initiatives with his 27-year military service experience.

"There is a direct correlation," he said. "From the Air Force early on, as a B-52 crew chief, they teach you that you're the leader of that aircraft, to take care of that aircraft and you're the one to get everyone together to get the maintenance done before it can fly. That starts the leadership capability and development."

For young Airmen and leaders, Cadwell has this advice.

"Don't be afraid to step forward or say 'I can do that.' Many times things may seem out of your comfort zone, but you will learn how to do them as you go along," he said.

And putting the idea of service before self into use, Cadwell said "the enjoyment you get after seeing something come together can far outweigh the sacrifice and work effort you put forward on it."

The Cadwell family - Steven and Mary and their children Rachel, 25; Timothy, 23; Aaron, 21; and Ana, 17 - will receive their award May 5 in Baton Rouge, La.