Ruth's Chris Salutes Local Hero on Mother's Day

Over the past 29 years, Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Christina Rizzo has successfully navigated two notable careers: That of a senior military specialist, as well as a devoted and loving wife and mother. In recognition of her lifetime achievement in both arenas, Ruth's Chris Steak House honored her and her family on Mother's Day with a special hosted dinner at its downtown restaurant.

"All of us at Ruth's Chris are aware of the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make to protect the rest of us," said Sladan Stanisic, general manager for Ruth's Chris. The Air Force reports it has more than 48,000 women serving on active duty, and more than 400,000 family members in all are supported by active duty personnel. "By honoring Chief Master Sergeant Christina Rizzo, we are saying thank you to thousands of military heroes and their families for their dedication and sacrifices."

Chief Master Sergeant Rizzo is based at Scott Air Force Base, where she serves as the 126th Operations Group Superintendent for the 126th Air Refueling Wing of the Illinois Air National Guard. In her role, she is the senior enlisted liaison between members and the Wing commander. She is also the Contracting Office Representative for the KC-135 Flight Simulator and Boom Operator Weapons System Trainer overseeing aircrew training objectives, security of resources and facility maintenance.

Since joining the Air Force in 1987, she has completed a number of assignments at Air Force bases across the country. Arriving at Scott AFB in 1999, she helped coordinate air support operations in Iraq, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Libya as part of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Northern Watch, Deny Flight, Joint Forge, Deliberate Guard, and most recently, Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn and Unified Protector. In 2007, she obtained the highest rank of the enlisted force, Chief Master Sergeant.

At home, the mother of two teenage boys is involved in many extracurricular and volunteer activities, including teaching Religious Education for her parish, coaching youth baseball, volunteering at the library and with the local Boy Scout troop, as well as, ministering to the sick and aging at Memorial Hospital. In the summer of 2015 she was awarded the Order of the Arrow for her commitment to scouting.

Ruth's Chris worked with the USO of Missouri organization to identify a deserving military family for this honor. "Being a wife and mother while serving in the military is challenging to say the least," noted Kathy O'Connor, executive director of the  USO of Missouri. "Chief Master Sergeant Rizzo is certainly and outstanding member of the military and a very dedicated Mom. We are delighted to partner with Ruth's Chris to salute her as a shining example of the thousands of military personnel that make us so proud."

Ruth's Chris is located in Downtown St. Louis in the Hyatt Regency at the Arch and in Clayton at the corner of Brentwood and Forsyth. Both restaurants are open for dinner seven days each week. Reservations are recommended but not required and can be made on-line at www.ruthhrisstlouis.com or at 314.259-3200 (Downtown) or 314.783.9900 (Clayton).

Miss Ruth Fertel of New Orleans founded the popular restaurant 50 years ago. Finding a way to put her two sons through college. Miss Ruth was driven to make her Steak House a success. Ruth's Chris Steak House restaurants continue to serve their customers today as Miss Ruth did -- on specially designed broilers