2011 Citizen of the Year Nominees
Richard Baptiste
I've been told that on the second day after Richard Baptiste
was born, the nurses thought he had a very strange cry,
but when the family brought in an expert, they discovered
he was trying to auction off the hospital furniture for
charity! What a way to start this man's remarkable life!
Richard has served on the Board of Directors for the 1st
Free Will Baptist Church, 1990 through the present. He was
on the Board of Directors and Vice President of the Chamber
of Commerce, 1994-2005. He served on the Board of Directors
of the Waynesville Park Board. He is currently serving as
a Board Member of the Salvation Army and was 2010 Honorary
Chairman of the Tree of Lights Campaign, raising over $60,000
(best year to date). Richard has given more hours than can
be counted for the following organizations, both as an auctioneer
as well as with financial support: Ducks Unlimited, Whitetail
Association, Waynesville/St. Robert Senior Center, Y.M.C.A.,
Safari Club International, Chamber Basket Auction, Goodwill,
Good Samaritan, Toys for Tots, MN for Southern Gospel Reunion,
Fund Raising Car Wash for Waynesville School District, Various
Fund Raising Events for Fort Leonard Wood, and donation
of time for various Community Events.
If anyone I know has what is known as a servant's heart,
Richard would be that individual. He is never seeking the
limelight, always preferring to just do the job asked of
him and, I might add, without hesitation. Richard truly
emulates what we all seek to be - God's servant. We proudly
nominate Richard Baptiste for Citizen of the Year.
Gary Porter, Chairman
Salvation Army Local Unit
Dr. William Boone
We at Greater Community Missionary Baptist Church nominate
Dr William Boone for Citizen of the Year.
Dr. William R Boone has been an important part of this
community for over 20 years now. He has been Pastor and
involved in his church for 20 years. He has had a big impact
in the area by staying involved in multiple organizations.
These include being the co-founder of GCMBC, founder of
People Helping People & Pulaski Family Activity Coalition
both 501c(3), the NAACP, actively involved in the Ministerial
Alliance for 12 years. Key figure in organizing the African
American Heritage Expo for 17 years in conjunction with
Black History Month. Which has impacted over 14,500 students
from elementary thru high school, to include students from
surrounding school districts. He has provided HS seniors
scholarships through his church and pfac in excess of $75,000
during this time. He is involved in local prison ministry
trying to make a difference in their lives. He will always
have the heart of the community in the forefront while trying
to promote multi culturalism and a spirit of volunteerism
and unity within the community.
Richard Morris
Mr. Richard C. Morris (Rick) was born on February 1, 1965
in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He and his wife Audrey (AJ) reside
at 21483 Lancaster Lane, Waynesville, MO. Rick and AJ have
one son, Jake, who will be graduating from the University
of Missouri (Science and Technology) in May and entering
the Army as a Second Lieutenant. Mr. Morris has a Bachelor
of Arts Degree in General Studies from Columbia College.
Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Morris' first career was
as a distinguished, multi-faceted professional Army Noncommissioned
Officer for over 23 years. He served in every leadership
position from Team Leader to Command Sergeant Major along
with several specialized positions of tremendous importance
and responsibility. In all of his Army assignments Rick
found success at every level of responsibility. His impact
on the Soldiers, Civilians, and Families whom he served
are legendary. From 1999 to 2003, then First Sergeant Morris
helped move and stand up the Military Police School from
Fort McClellan, Alabama to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
His leadership made a real difference during this difficult
move. From 2004 to 2005 Rick also served at Fort Leonard
Wood as the Command Sergeant Major of the 342nd Military
Police Battalion (PROV). During both Fort Leonard Wood assignments,
Rick was very active in numerous civilian and military organizations
to include serving as the Fort Leonard Wood Sergeant Audie
Murphy Club (SAMC) Vice President and later as President.
The SAMC is an organization that serves Servicemembers and
Families on the installation and in the community and this
very select organization is made up of only the Army's best
senior Noncommissioned Officers. He also organized and activated
the first Military Police Regimental Association Chapter.
His last Army assignment was a combat tour in Afghanistan
with the 716th Military Police Battalion, 101st Air Assault
Division, Fort Campbell, KY. His Army awards and decorations
include a Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, 7 awards
of the Meritorious Service Medal, 5 awards of the Army Commendation
Medal, 8 awards of the Army Achievement Medal, the Military
Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge,
the Basic Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and
the Military Police Corps Order of the Marechaussee in Bronze.
Rick is a member of the Army's prestigious Sergeant Audie
Murphy Club and the Sergeant Morales Club Member.
In his second career, Rick is the Director of Operations,
for Ehrhardt Properties in St Robert. In that position Rick
has earned the title of Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA)
and he is a 2009 Graduate of the Emory Executive Education,
Global Leadership Institute, Emory University, Atlanta,
GA.
Rick is currently serving as the President of the Mid-Missouri
Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA)
an organization that supports all military, civilian, retiree,
and family members of the Army. Our AUSA chapter was one
of the very first in the Nation and is still today widely
recognized as a model chapter. He has led the AUSA effort
to raise over $150,000.00 for the Wounded Warrior Fund that
assists combat wounded and injured Soldiers and their Families
in times of great need and stress. He is a key leader in
the AUSA Warriors in Town Program that helps Wounded Warriors
and Purple Heart recipients to be welcomed and introduced
into our regional communities. He also serves on the AUSA
Scholarship Committee.
Rick is a member of the Board of Directors of the Pulaski
County Growth Alliance (PCGA), the Pulaski County Rotary
Club and Rotary International, Chairman of the Pulaski County
Tourism Board, the Committee of Fifty, the Waynesville-St
Robert Chamber of Commerce, the Veteran's of Foreign Wars
(VFW), and the Military Police Regimental Association (MPRA).
Out of the limelight, Rick quietly serves numerous combat
wounded veterans in our community to insure that they and
their families have the quality of life that they richly
deserve. After the New Year's Eve tornado that struck Fort
Leonard Wood, he worked tirelessly with the Fort Leonard
Wood Command Sergeant Major to ensure that displaced families
had a place to stay. He helps with the Gold Star Mothers
Program. Rick also volunteers with the Army Career and Alumni
Program (ACAP) to mentor Soldiers in their search for a
second career.
Rick has been a constant champion for every endeavor that
supports all military, civilian, and family members in our
community. Supporting servicemembers, civilians, retirees,
families, and anyone in need of a hand up is Rick's passion.
He has been doing it all of his adult life.
Lindall Mostajo
The Armed Services YMCA of Missouri is honored to nominate
Lindall Mostajo for Citizen of the Year for 2011.
Actively involved in the ASYMCA since 1994, Lindall is
a military spouse with a seemingly endless commitment to
providing the families on Ft. Leonard Wood with quality
programs and services that meet their needs. Her time and
dedication earned her the honor of 1995 Civilian Volunteer
of the Year. She has served on the Board of Management,
almost continuously since 1994, and most recently served
as the Chairperson two different times during periods of
transition and reorganization. Lindall established a clear
directive, brought sound business practices to the organization,
set guidelines and reinforced the mission of the ASY. She
also served as the Branch Representative on the National
Board of Directors of the ASYMCA of the USA last year. Lindall
helps welcome and train new board members; she serves on
numerous committees, and represents the organization in
the community. Most recently, Lindall wholeheartedly served
on the ASYMCA committee that brought country music singer
and former Army Ranger, Keni Thomas, to Fort Leonard Wood
for a wonderful community event. Lindall's love of children
and her focus on the junior enlisted soldiers mesh flawlessly
with the mission and goals of the ASYMCA.
Lindall's community involvement continues with her position
on the Board of Directors of the Waynesville/St. Robert
Chamber of Commerce, and as an active member of the Committee
of Fifty. Since 1984 she has actively participated in fundraising
events, attended monthly membership and board meetings,
and in general been a welcoming smile to both new and current
chamber members at both chamber and community events. Lindall
works hard to fulfill her duties and steps up when needed
to fill in.
Lindall is also enthusiastically involved with her church,
the Church of God of St Robert, where since 1984 she has
taught Sunday school classes, served as a nursery worker,
and participated in the choir as both a member and director.
She leads adult Sunday school classes, speaks at seminars,
served in the church council as not only a member, but secretary
and leadership team member. She is also the president of
the Women's Ministry Group.
Another organization near to her heart is the Lupus Foundation
of America. Since 1993 she has taken part in fundraising
events such as the local Walk for Lupus Now.
Lindall's commitment to our local organizations and people
are what keep our local and military community strong and
growing.
Don Tritten
Don Tritten is an authentic servant of the Lord. He has
given generously of his time, talent and resources to his
church, family, profession and community.
On January 1, 1974, Don and Alma bought the First National
Bank (now First State Bank) and moved to Waynesville. Subsequently,
the Trittens bought the Bank of Iberia and the Bank of Plato.
In May of 2001, the Bank of Iberia opened a branch in Waynesville
and Don serves as Chairman of the Board.
The church has been very important in Don's life and he
has served in leadership positions in First Baptist Church
and in Westside Baptist.
Don was instrumental in the formation of the Good Samaritan
Resource Center and has served on the Board since the beginning
of the ministry and has been an active force in the growth
of the ministry which includes: the building of Genesis,
a shelter for victims of domestic abuse; the establishment
of a Thrift Store and a Food Pantry in Richland; the purchase
of an additional building in Waynesville to house a Food
Pantry and Emergency Services.
The Senior Citizen Center, the Chamber of Commerce, AUSA
and the Committee Of Fifty have all been recipients of Don's
wisdom and generosity. He was a charter member of the Committee
of Fifty and was selected to be on the Washington Committee
as a representative of the organization to work with congressional
and military leaders to keep Fort Leonard Wood in our area
and to support Fort Leonard Wood.
Don's service reaches beyond the local level in that he
is on the Board of the Independent Bankers Association.
In 2008 he was honored by the Missouri Bankers Association
for fifty years of leadership in the banking business.
Ellen Kay York
Born: Keota, OK on September 12th a few years ago (smile)
Married: August 15, 1970 and moved to St Robert, MO
Family:
Husband, Darrell York (Waynesville HS Graduate), retired
civil service
One Daughter, Kay Lowder of St Robert (Waynesville HS Graduate),
who presently works at Fort Leonard Wood
Two grandsons, one granddaughter, one great-grandson and
a great-granddaughter soon to be born
Education: High School, Ochelata, Oklahoma
Success Secretarial School, Bartlesville, OK
Key Punch Operator, Tri-County College, Bartlesville, OK
Certified Professional Secretary (CPS), IAAP
BS Business Administration, Columbia College, Truman Education
Center, Ft Wood Campus
Professional Organizations:
International Association of Administrative Professionals
(IAAP)
Toastmasters International, Advanced Toastmaster-Silver
Member of Maranatha Baptist Church: Leader of Children's
Church
Work Experience: Woolworth Company, Department Manager,
Bartlesville, OK; Phillips Petroleum Company, Keypunch,
Credit Card Department; Optician Dr. Lawson, Waynesville
Civil Service at Fort Leonard Wood: Clerk-Typist, Battalion
Secretary, Brigade Admin Assistant; Brigade Secretary, Secretary
to Deputy Commanding General, Secretary to Commanding General
and culminated Civil Service career as Secretary to the
Chief of Engineers at Washington, DC. for 3 1/2 years even
then maintaining her home and returning to St Robert every
month, and presently works from home as Virtual Assistant
to LTG (Ret) Bob Flowers, the SVP Federal Program Director
for ARCAIDS-US
Hobbies: Playing piano; reading; fishing; boating; cross-stitching;
feeding carrots to her father-in-law's donkeys with her
daughter and especially enjoys her morning coffee with her
daughter and father-in-law, Dub Turnbow
