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thedrifter
05-26-04, 06:31 AM
Surprise award presentation

By Emily Aronson
earonson@seacoastonline.com

HAMPTON - Lt. Col. Tim Bailey knew something was up when Sen. John Sununu, R.-N.H., walked into the Sacred Heart School gymnasium Friday night.

Bailey was there to co-chair the Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church’s 11th annual auction to benefit the armed services, a local event not often attended by government officials.

But once the U.S. Marine Corps reservist got on stage and introduced the senator, he realized what was going on.

Sununu had been invited by Bailey’s wife, Julie, to formally present Bailey with a Bronze Star, awarded for his service in Afghanistan last year. For six months, Bailey led a team of analysts as chief of the Joint Intelligence Support Element of Combined Joint Task Force 180.

"He received the star in the mail in a package, and I was very surprised. I felt he deserved more of an honor than that," Julie said.

So Julie got in touch with a friend, who put her in touch with Sununu’s office, and the idea to surprise her husband at an official Bronze Star ceremony was born.

"He’s very humble about the whole thing. He doesn’t think of it as something he deserves; he thinks his whole unit deserves it," Julie said.

Sununu spoke of Bailey’s dedication as a soldier as he presented Bailey with the medal and an American flag from Rep. Jeb Bradley, R-N.H. Bradley had the flag hang outside the Capitol in Washington, D.C., in Bailey’s honor.

"His service in Afghanistan is something that Americans young and old can look at and see what it means to be committed to your country," Sununu said.

"It’s a tremendous tribute to his service and his achievement," he added, prompting the crowd of more than 100 to give Bailey a standing ovation.

Sununu and Bailey had first met in 2003 while Sununu was visiting American troops in Afghanistan.

"Sure enough, you travel half-way around the world and find a friend from New Hampshire," Sununu said of his chance introduction to Bailey.

Bailey, 42, has been in the armed services for 20 years and served as a reservist for 10. He said he was just one of many important men and women who served in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"This represents the hard work of hundreds of Americans. This is their medal more than it is mine," Bailey said.

When not fulfilling his duties with the American army, Bailey is a prosecutor with the Rockingham County Attorney’s office.

After moving around the country with the military for years, Julie said the night also represented the family’s appreciation for their community.

"It is such an honor. We’ve lived in Hampton for 10 years and it really feels like home. We’ve really developed a community family."

http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/5_15c.jpg

Sen. John Sununu, right, surprised Lt. Col. Tim Bailey with a formal presentation of the Bronze Star Bailey earned for this service in Afghanistan last year. Bailey originally received it in the mail.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/05152004/news/16201.htm


Ellie