News  Margaret Oglesby Award is presented to BMC-Roxbury PO during special ceremony

Roxbury Probation Officer Yasira Montas was presented with the Margaret Oglesby Award as Mrs. Oglesby’s husband Frank, daughter Elizabeth, and granddaughter 16-month-old Eden looked on.

The award was presented Thursday, November 13th, during a ceremony held at the Massachusetts Probation Service Training and Operations Center (MTOC) on Thursday.

Mrs. Oglesby, who passed away in 2020, was a Hampshire Superior Court Chief Probation Officer, military hero, and leader. A U.S. Army Captain, she managed 154 soldiers as the Commander of the 747th Military Police Company with around the clock operations. She also trained the first Afghan military police company. Prior to her service in Afghanistan, Mrs. Oglesby also served the country as a member of the military by protecting the nation’s airports immediately following the 9/11 attacks.

Frank Oglesby, Margaret’s husband, addressed the audience sharing the story of his life with her. The couple met while students at UMASS-Amherst.

He congratulated PO Montas in a heartfelt speech. Probation Commissioner Pamerson O. Ifill, Massachusetts Trial Court Chief Justice Heidi Brieger, and Court Administrator Thomas Ambrosino all spoke about the significance of the award and the importance of recognizing veterans.

A former US Marine, PO Montas served from 2005 to 2009. She deployed to Iraq for seven months with Combat Logistic Battalion 2, security company/military police. Upon returning to the US she served with the 8th Engineer Support Battalion, until her honorable discharged in September of 2009.

Ms. Montas received numerous awards, including the following:

• Iraq Campaign Medal (W/1 Bronze Service Star).
• Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
• National Defense Service Medal.