Presented annually at the American Legion Auxiliary National Convention, our Salute to Servicemembers Award honors all military personnel who are currently serving our country in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, and the National Guard/Reserve.

Read on to learn more about our 2024 Salute to Servicemember Award recipients.

U.S. Coast Guard: Chief Petty Officer Caitlin Barker
(Nominated by the Department of Ohio)

“You meet people from all over and you become a team, you become one and it doesn’t matter where you are from, you trust them you know you can trust them because they are your team,” Barker said of her military service from convention stage. “My life has been full of great memories and experiences from military life.”

From the award nomination form:
During my first summer home after college, I became interested in the possibility of a military career. I was encouraged by a family friend, Bo Vespi. He was the police chief for the Village of Pemberville, Air Force veteran, and now reservist in the U.S. Coast Guard.

I enlisted in the Coast Guard in 2006 and completed basic training at Cape May, N.J., in marine science technology in August 2006. I returned to Wisconsin to begin my junior year of college and was assigned to Coast Guard sector Lake Michigan in Milwaukee. I graduated in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in health promotion and wellness.

Active duty began in Chesapeake, Va., as petty officer second class as part of the Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT). In the summer of 2012, I was transferred to sector upper Mississippi, St. Louis, Mo.

In 2016, I was transferred to marine safety unit in Houma, La. While there, I was promoted to petty officer first class. I was selected for marine environmental protection training in 2019.

In 2019, I transferred to Sector Miami, Miami Beach, Fla. My daughter, Isabelle (Izzy), was born May 5, 2020. I returned to job duties in August with many new procedures in place due to COVID-19. In April 2021, I re­enlisted for another four years, making the Coast Guard my career going forward. Soon after, my marriage ended, and l faced new challenges. The road to being a strong, independent mom was not always paved in rose petals, but I was determined to achieve the rank of chief petty officer. My Coast Guard training and my team kept me plodding forward.

On August 23, 2023, that dream became a reality as I was promoted to chief petty officer. My friendship with Bo Vespi came full circle as he now lives in Florida and pinned the anchors for my promotion.

New rank, new unit, new home awaited as I transferred to familiar surroundings in Morgan City, La., just outside New Orleans. Hopefully, I have made an impact in my 17-year career.

“Thank you to the American Legion Auxiliary for nominating me,” she said.

U.S. Air Force: Chief Master Sgt. Dustin D. Troyer
(Nominated by the Department of Nebraska)

“I am honored and humbled today to be standing here representing the United States Air Force,” Troyer said from the convention stage. “I come from a family who served in uniform and continue to serve long after their military service ended. I love serving.”

From the award nomination form:
Chief Master Sgt. Dustin Troyer is the Headquarters Air Force (HAF) airfield management career field functional manager, serving as the principal advisor to the deputy chief of staff - operations. He leads as the subject matter expert on matters pertaining to the professional development, military readiness, and operational mission effectiveness of over 1,500 enlisted airmen, Department of Defense, and contract civilians assigned to the airfield management career field. In addition to his guidance, he develops and manages the career field’s entry and training requirements, as well as monitoring health and manning levels to ensure the career field is responsive to both current and future Air Force operational planning and execution needs.

Troyer is from Milford, Neb., and enlisted in the Air Force in March 1999. His background includes several leadership roles at the squadron, group, and MAJCOM levels. Troyer has deployed and served at multiple overseas locations supporting Operations Enduring Freedom, Freedom’s Sentinel, Inherent Resolve, Resolute Support, and Spartan Shield. Prior to assuming his current position, he served as the airfield management functional manager at Headquarters, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

“As always, thank you for all your unwavering support of the men and women of the 1%,” he said to the ALA convention attendees.

U.S. National Guard: Technical Sgt. Donald Lambert
(Nominated by the Department of West Virginia)

“Thank you for allowing me to be here today,” TSgt. Lambert said from the convention stage. “Thank you to the Department of West Virginia for my nomination, and thank you to the national American Legion Auxiliary for me to be here.”

From the award nomination form:
Technical Sgt. Donald Lambert is currently assigned to the 130th Airlift Wing in Charleston, W.Va., where he is a services craftsman. He is also fulfilling responsibilities of a right start non-commissioned officer who leads newly sworn in airmen to be productive members of their units prior to their departure for basic military training.

Lambert entered the Air Force in March 2014. He completed Services Technical School in July 2015, and since has held a variety of positions.

As a right start NCO for the last two years, Lambert mentored and prepared 125 student flight members for the grooming standards of the U.S. Air Force and many more tasks and responsibilities.

Lambert joined The American Legion in 2014 at 18, one day after he returned from basic military training and immediately held a variety of positions at the post, district, and department levels. He was the youngest post commander in The American Legion at 22 — commanding a post of 461 — became district commander at 23 — commanding 11 posts with over 1,000 members — and also held department membership vice chair at the same time — working with 33 posts and over 3,000 members. It was during this that he was selected by the National Guard Bureau to be the Spirit of Service Award recipient for National Guard Bureau by the National Headquarters of The American Legion.

After that, he served as a department assistant sergeant-at-arms, 2020 National American Legion College graduate, and is currently again a department membership vice chair and is the chair of the Department of West Virginia Americanism Committee. He currently serves as Americanism officer and membership chair at Post 29.

Lambert is married to his wife Tiffanie, and they have a son, Elliott. He currently has five
generations of Auxiliary members in his family and he, Elliott, and his brother are also members of the Sons of The American Legion. In his civilian job, Lambert works for the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program.

U.S. Army: Staff Sgt. Helen Trevino
(Nominated by the Department of North Carolina)

From the award nomination form:
Staff Sgt. Trevino epitomizes the active-duty military personnel the Auxiliary seeks for membership: a young mother dedicated to God, country, and family. Trevino is committed to excelling at her career, she is dedicated to improving herself, and thus benefiting those whom she serves by continuing her education. She has been instrumental in the success of placing homeless veterans in furnished apartments with basic needs products in her geographical area through participation of an Auxiliary collaboration with Military Missions in Action (MMIA). She regularly participated in events benefiting local veterans through Auxiliary fundraisers, breakfasts, and raffles. In addition to her active participation in veteran-related events, Trevino provided donations of clothing, toiletries, and other needed items to a low income county in North Carolina through the Auxiliary initiative.

Not only is Trevino a role model for her colleagues and military clients she serves, but she is a role model for her young son. Her passion for teaching patriotism and Americanism to children is evident in her interactions with her son by including him in many of the Legion and Auxiliary events and activities. Trevino extends that passion to school book drives and school-based activities.

U.S. Navy: Petty Officer Stephanie Auen 
(Nominated by the Department of Iowa)

From the award nomination form:
Auen joined the Navy in 2019. She joined the Navy because she always wanted to see the world and embrace the values of our military. She comes from a family of military men, including a grandfather in the Army. When asked about her favorite ship, she states the Nimitz is her favorite. She also served on the Theodore Roosevelt. She plans on making the Navy her career.

I think she will be an asset as a seaman. As I understand, Stephanie has gone above and beyond in her career by being actively involved boosting morale of her fellow servicemembers. She is also actively involved in promoting inclusion. Some specific things she has done is to create an atmosphere of observance of all cultures to build a positive work environment. Stephanie also volunteers with the MWR (Morale, Welfare, Recreation) in her community.

ALA National Headquarters did not receive nominations for U.S. Marine Corps or U.S. Space Force.