The Citizen Associate Editor Brittany Carlson took top honors at the Installation Management Command Headquarter’s 2009 Gen. Keith L. Ware Journalism Awards Competition.
Her story series, “The Long, Dark Tunnel,” which focused on the emotional effects of deployment on military families, took first place at the HQ-level competition, and will be forwarded to the Army-wide competition in March.
Carlson took three first place awards at the IMCOM-Europe region in the HQ competition in commentary, news article and story series categories.
“I’m so excited the story series has made such an impact on the community. It’s important that military families realize they are not alone and support is available,” said Carlson.
“On a personal level, this series helped me to learn about all the programs the Army offers to family members, since my husband is on his first deployment,” she said.
Carlson also earned honorable mentions for her sports article and in the Moss-Holland Civilian Journalist of the Year category at the IMCOM-E competition.
Before joining The Citizen in May 2009, Carlson worked as a general reporter for The Springfield News-Leader in Springfield, Mo., and as a freelance writer for the Guidon, the Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Army newspaper.
Susan Huseman, The Citizen editor, earned honorable mentions for her feature article and art/graphics in support of a publication.
The Keith L. Ware awards are designed to recognize both military and civilian journalists whose work enhances the Army’s internal command information program.
Maj. Gen. Keith L. Ware received the Medal of Honor for actions undertaken in France in December 1944, when he was then a lieutenant colonel. Forty-four years later, Ware became the highest-ranking U.S. service member to be killed in Vietnam.