JAY  LEQUAR  AWARD

 

AN AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE 

 TO THE FRENCH EXCHANGE 

 

BACKGROUND

 

    Since the inception of the Exchange in 1969, the Air Force Academy had been interested in recognizing the Exchange Cadet who exemplified the spirit of the program during his stay at the École de l'Air,  as well as during the preparation phase for participation in the Exchange.

    During the late 1980s, the Academy was contacted by the family of one of the former USAFA Exchangers to explore the possibility of creating an annual award to recognize the cadet who distinguished himself during his entire participation in the Exchange Program. With the  support of the USAF Academy Association of Graduates and the direct involvement of the Department of Foreign Languages at the Academy, such an award program was created.

    The award is endowed by the family and friends of John "Jay" Lequar and is sponsored by the Association of Graduates.

    Selection of the award recipient is made by an ad hoc committee that evaluates various inputs –including those of fellow cadets in the same Exchange group– before making the selection.

    A plaque is presented to that selectee during the Language Award Ceremony held in connection with Graduation Week activities.

    A permanent plaque is displayed at the Academy honoring all past recipients.

 

WHO WAS JAY LEQUAR ???

 

    John Jay Lequar, born in 1959, was a member of the USAFA Class of 1981 and participated in the Exchange in 1980. He became interested in the Exchange Program in his first year at the Academy, inspired by a former Exchanger, Philip McBride [EX'77]. 

    His primary goal became to compete and qualify for the Exchange. 

    He conducted himself in an outstanding manner during his stay in Salon, embodying the spirit and purpose of the Exchange.

    Following graduation from the Academy, Lieutenant Lequar underwent pilot training in Arizona. A few months later, on 20 November 1981, he was killed during a training mission while performing authorized acrobatics in a T-37 aircraft over the desert.

    He was buried at the Academy the day after Thanksgiving 1981 with full military honors.

    Both of Lieutenant Lequar's parents are now deceased. His father had served in the United States Army, both as a military man and as a civil servant.

    His only sibling, a brother, resides in the Midwest.

 

PAST RECIPIENTS OF THE JAY LEQUAR AWARD

 

 

1991

Heather PRINGLE
1993

Robert DAM
1994

Audrey WILLIAMS
1995

Christopher KEAN
1996

Richard DODGE
1997

Eric WARME
1998

Max PEARSON
1999

Wesley HALES
2000

Joseph "Jay" GEANY
2001

James CHRISTENSEN
2002

Caroline WELLMAN
2003

Antonia GIRAUD
2004

Sarah THILO
2005 Melissa BLAND
2006 Michael PHELAN
2007 Lucas BROMMER
2008 James BRESNAHAN