Christian Sheers, a 2012 Wadsworth High School graduate, has been named the 2015 USO Soldier of the Year.
Specialist Sheers is a medic for Beast Troop, 1st Squadron, 33rd Calvary Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), out of Fort Campbell, Ky.
“I always knew I wanted to help people and had wanted to be in the military since I was a little kid,” Sheers explained. “So it was just natural that I followed my dreams.”
Spc. Sheers was honored at a gala held in late October in D.C., where he was given the award for his heroism while working security for a U.S. diplomat’s visit in Nangarhar, Afghanistan.
“(Chris) just said his sergeant nominated him for the award. We had no idea what this award was and none of our military friends had ever heard of this award, so just we thought it would be a certificate of some sort,” explained Sheers’ wife, Jessie. “Then, (Chris) Skyped me a few weeks later and said, ‘so when I get back in October, we’re turning around and flying to D.C. to accept this award.’ I was like, ‘what!? We’re going to D.C. for this?! I started jumping up and down!”
“We (Sheers and his wife, Jessie) toured the Capitol and the White House and had a reception at Vice-President Joe Biden’s house. It was incredible.”
The United Service Organizations (USO) awards an individual from each branch of the military to be service member of the year based on their heroic actions in the line of duty.
For his actions, Spc. Sheers has also been recommended for the Bronze Star with Valor.
Following our interview with Spc. Sheers and Jessie, the two were greeted with Veterans bracelets from Joe Rodgers with the American Legion Post in Wadsworth. It was a tender moment filled with thank you, thank you, thank yous. It was a beautiful way to end the interview!
Thank you for your dedication and service, Spc. Sheers! It was an honor meeting you. Congratulations on an outstanding and well-deserved award for your service!
