LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
A 1st Fighter Wing Airman was honored at the Five Star Military Family luncheon at the Murray Center in Norfolk Nov. 14.
Senior Airman Christopher Ingersoll, 1st Fighter Wing Public Affairs photographer, and his family were selected to represent the Air Force because of their dedication to the community.
"In today's Air Force our hectic work schedules and our deployment taskings can make us all believe that we are too busy to help in our local community," said Capt. Tracy Bunko, 1st Fighter Wing Public Affairs commander, "Airman Ingersoll works long hours, deployed to Iraq and is raising six children but still dedicates a lot of time to improving the lives of others."
Airman Ingersoll volunteered to deploy to Balad, Iraq outside his regular deployment window. While in Balad, he supported the 332nd Expeditionary Wing's vital weapons systems video mission. In addition to working 12 plus hour days for the wing, he volunteered two to three hours each morning at the local hospital, where he comforted injured children and assisted in the operating room.
"I volunteered to work at the hospital because I wanted to help the kids," said Airman Ingersoll, "The children needed comfort, and since the hospital staff was bogged down with work, I was able to help provide that."
As a couple, the Ingersolls have volunteered more than 260 hours to their local church in support of Baptist International Missions, Inc. The couple raised $5,000 by organizing and conducting family photo shoots. The funds raised were in turn donated to faith missions to Uganda, Africa, to an orphanage and also a school for boys there.
The couple travelled to Uganda where they took 4,000 photos and 10 hours of video footage to create their own documentary film chronicling the struggles of starving and abandoned children there. The film raised enough money to fund the missions for an additional four years.
"I've always wanted to go to Africa," said Airman Ingersoll. "I also have a soft spot for kids, so any kind of opportunity I get to help with kids, I will."
Even though Airman Ingersoll and his wife, Nicole, have three children of their own, they are currently adopting three more children. Their children's ages range from two to thirteen.
"A lot of people have helped me along the way and I appreciate it," he said. "That's why I feel obligated to help others."
Airman Ingersoll and Nicole feel that it's essential their children learn to have compassion for those less fortunate and to be active in the community.
"The best ways to learn things are to do them, which is why we involve and encourage our children in volunteer activities," he said.
The Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads honors one family from each branch of service who represents the best in community spirit and commitment to the ideal of "service before self." The Ingersolls were one of five families selected and recognized by each branch of service.
"The Ingersolls work hard to be positive influences on everyone and on the world around them," said Captain Bunko, "They've touched hundreds of lives through their volunteer work and in the local community and their overseas ministry. They are truly a deserving five star military family."