by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Outgoing U.S. Naval Base Guam (NBG) Public Affairs Officer Annette Donner received the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award for her exemplary service and contributions to the Navy. NBG Commanding Officer Capt. Mike Ward presented Donner with the award and a retirement certificate during a special ceremony. She came to Guam in 1974 as a freelance writer and scuba diver and was a reporter for Guam Cable TV, KUAM and K57 radio. In 2006, she was hired as the protocol civilian-military community liaison officer for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas and the Joint Guam Program Office. In 2008, she was appointed the community liaison officer for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas.

Donner was named NBG's public affairs officer in 2009 and has since provided tremendous support to the installation to include coordinating events such as Back to Sumay Day and All Soul's Day memorial ceremony at Sumay Cemetery; and working closely with Guam mayors to foster relationships between the military and island community.

She prepares to take on her next journey Jan. 1 at the Baha'i World Center protocol office in Haifa, Israel.