FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii - Throughout the nation, Soldiers and their civilian counterparts volunteer beyond their selfless service to their country by taking time out to help others and their communities.
Fourteen volunteers were recognized by the 8th Theater Sustainment Command for their contributions and dedicated selfless service to both the Army and the Hawaiian community, Oct. 22, at Historic Palm Circle.
The 8th TSC volunteers are: Cpl. Jose Perez, Spc. Timothy Sellers, Spc. Marco Torres, Mrs. Lily Schlicht and Mrs. Ruby Valencia from the 130th Engineer Brigade; 1st Sgt. Felipe Pinero and Mrs. Janelle Randall from 8th Special Troops Battalion; 1st Sgt. Jamila Smith, Sgt. 1st Class Janet Lopez, Staff Sgt. Deborah Rupp, Staff Sgt.. Matthew Wilson, Sgt. Cameron Domino, Spc. Dominic Valdez and Fautino Gaono-Ellerbe from 8th Military Police Brigade.
All 14 volunteers were awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for their services.
Combined, these volunteers have performed more than 2,000 hours of selfless service to their respected communities, which include coaching youth sports, Soldiers Against Drunk Driving (SADD), Family Readiness Group Leaders (FRGL), Hawaii Food Bank, Fisher House, Special Olympics Hawaii, maintaining parks in the Island Palms Community and assisting resource centers that assist veterans across the Armed Forces.
"Those who can, do," said Maj. Gen. Edward F. Dorman III, commanding general of the 8th TSC. "Those who can do more, well we call them volunteers, because they're just doing a little bit more."
Four Soldiers were also honored with the Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award, which recognizes U.S. citizens for achieving a required number of service hours over a 12-month period based off of the person's age group.
The awardees are Sgt. Maj. Deia Aubrey, Sgt. Maj. Gregory Boseman from the 8th TSC, 1st Sgt. Felipe Pinero from 130th Eng. Bde., and Sgt. 1st Class Malcolm Fleming from 8th MP Bde.
"I often think about what is a volunteer," Dorman said. "I think most people would agree that being a volunteer has something to do with helping people. Most people believe that there's something about this life where helping people is important."
The Volunteer Recognition Ceremony is conducted semiannually in order to recognize outstanding individuals who have contributed significantly as a volunteer to the military and/or the local community.
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