KINY: Sen. Murkowski hosts Fmr. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis at Fairbanks banquet
Fairbanks, Alaska (KINY) - This past weekend, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski hosted retired Marine Corps four-star General and former Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis as her guest of honor at the Fairbanks Military Appreciation Banquet.
Organized by the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce and sponsored in part by a number of Alaska businesses, this annual event honors military members and their families across Interior Alaska.
“It was a true privilege to have Secretary Mattis join us and speak directly to so many active-duty servicemembers here in the Interior region. I was honored to welcome him back to Alaska—and particularly to Fairbanks, a community that cares so deeply for military members and their families. It speaks volumes that in a room of over 700 people, you could have heard a pin drop the entire time General Mattis spoke,” Murkowski said. “Secretary Mattis is a man of principal, a leader, a patriot, and a true American hero. We are grateful he made the trip to spend some time with us, and share such words of leadership.”
“Senator Murkowski is a stalwart supporter of America’s military. I appreciate her for inviting me to the great state of Alaska to speak in honor of America’s servicemembers. I also commend the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce for continuing this event – the legacy of Jim and Rosemary Messer. Local events like this are America at its best,” said General Mattis. “Thank you to Alaska’s Golden Heart city for welcoming me to Fairbanks and hosting me as I paid my respects to the men and women of the U.S. Military.
Senator Murkowski also presented the Messer Award to Nathan Bergerbest, who served in her Washington, DC office from 2003 through 2019.
Source: KINY
