The Major Stephen Reich Award for Exceptional Citizenship was established in 2006 to honor one of Washington, Connecticut's favorite sons.
Stephen was killed in action in Afghanistan on June 28, 2005, while bravely and honorably serving this great nation. This award is given annually to a citizen of Washington who stands out among the many people who give so much, in so many ways, to our community.
Stephen is remembered for his extraordinary leadership, his devotion to Washington, his family, his teammates, classmates, and friends.
Major Stephen Reich was commanding a large rescue operation in the mountainous region of eastern Afghanistan when his Chinook helicopter was shot down on June 28, 2005, killing all 16 men on board. In the wake of this terrible tragedy, a group of friends, classmates and teammates from the Washington community came together to create a meaningful and lasting way to honor the service of one of Washington's favorite sons.
The result of those efforts was two annual awards, one given to a Shepaug Valley High School Senior and a second award to a citizen of the Town of Washington.
In 2006, a group of Washingtonians made up of family, friends, classmates and teammates got together and created the Major Stephen Reich Award for Exceptional Citizenship.
We honor Stephen’s memory by honoring those who exhibit the extraordinary qualities of character, leadership, achievement, and service that made Stephen who he was. It is our hope that this award will serve as inspiration and example to future generations of townspeople.
After Stephen's helicopter was shot down on June 28th, 2005, there was a strong movement to honor his great service to our nation in a lasting way.
With the permission of the Town of Washington and the blessing of the Reich family, our inaugural award was presented on Memorial Day, 2006, at the ceremony that follows the Washington Depot Memorial Day Parade.
The purpose of this award is to recognize a Washingtonian each year who stands out among the many people who give so much, in so many ways, to our community.
We accept nominations from the community each spring and the award winner is announced each year at the ceremony following the Memorial Day Parade in front of the Washington Town Hall.
Who was Major Stephen Reich?
Stephen moved to Washington with his family, parents Ray and Sue, and sisters Megan and AnnMarie, in 1980. He attended Shepaug Valley Middle School and High School, where he was an outstanding student-athlete. As a sophomore, he was the winning pitcher on the 1987 Class S State Championship baseball team. He was a member of the National Honor Society, served as a class officer, was selected as a Berkshire League All-Star twice in soccer and baseball, and was selected twice to the Class S All-State team in baseball. He received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point where he graduated in 1993. Following his graduation, he played baseball for Team USA and was selected by the entire United States delegation to carry the United States flag at the Opening Ceremonies of the World University Games in Buffalo, New York in 1993.
After his Team USA experience, he elected to pass on a promising professional baseball pitching career to serve his country in the US Army. Over the next 12 years, Stephen quickly rose to the rank of Major in the Army’s Special Operations Aviation Regiment, otherwise known as the Night Stalkers. Throughout his life and career, Stephen exemplified all the characteristics that you would associate with an exceptional citizen. He was a natural-born leader who tirelessly and selflessly gave to the people around him. I believe we, the citizens of Washington, are better for having an example of such great character and service among us.