Peters, Stabenow Recognize Military Times Soldier of the Year and Southfield Army Civil Affairs Specialist

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow last night recognized Specialist Shayn Lindquist at the Military Times Service Members of the Year Awards in Washington, where he was named Soldier of the Year. Specialist Lindquist is a member of the Army Reserve and is a civil affairs soldier with the 414th Civil Affairs Battalion in Southfield.

“It’s not every day you meet someone like Specialist Shayn Lindquist. He is a living example of Army values: he overcame adversity to earn recognition for his abilities and has become a mentor to junior soldiers,” said Senator Peters, a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. “Specialist Lindquist’s dedication to his country and his fellow soldiers is truly inspiring. I couldn’t be prouder to call him a fellow Michigander and it was my honor to help recognize him and his service.”

“Specialist Shayn Lindquist is an amazing example of Michigan grace and grit,” said Senator Stabenow. “A cancer diagnosis might cause many people to focus on themselves, but not Shayn. Instead, he’s doubled down on serving both his nation and his community, making a real difference in the lives of his fellow cancer survivors, especially children.”

“It’s an honor to receive this award. I never would have thought I’d ever receive something like this, so I am truly humbled,” said Specialist Shayn Lindquist. “To be recognized with other service members of the year is truly an honor, their stories are amazing.”

Specialist Lindquist was competing in the Army’s Best Warrior competition in 2018 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. While receiving radiation treatments for cancer, he kept competing and attending his weekend training. During his treatment, he founded a nonprofit organization that brings soldiers and supporters together to fight childhood cancer. During his summers, Specialist Lindquist also volunteers as a counselor at the Special Days Camp for children with cancer. He is a student at Central Michigan University, who takes time to mentor junior soldiers and has represented his brigade in the Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command Soldier of the Year Award competition. For the third year in a row, he will represent his battalion and brigade in his Civil Affairs Division Soldier of the Year Competition.

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