Volunteers who gave their time to help at Fort Riley and in Central Flint Hills Region were given something back. For their efforts, volunteers were recognized and given certificates and awards at the quarterly Volunteer Recognition Ceremony July 21 at Riley's Conference Center.
"We often say that Soldiers are our most precious resource, and that's absolutely true, but the folks we're going to recognize today are an extension of that precious resource," said Col. Kevin Brown, garrison commander, during his welcome speech. "Those volunteers log an awful lot of time, and it does have a financial value to it. Often times it's up into a quarter of a million dollars in service that our volunteers provide, but they don't do it for that reason. They're not getting that pay. They do it from the heart."
A total of 38 volunteers were recognized as volunteers of the quarter for their brigades or directorates and one individual and one organization were given the Helping Hand Award.
The Helping Hand Award, which is a one-time award, was given to retired Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Young for his help in raising money for an injured Soldier's Family to continue living in the area to be around their Soldier as he was recovering; and to the American Legion Riders from Post 370 for all they have given to the Warrior Transition Battalion, said Becky Willis, Fort Riley's volunteer coordinator.
Both Brown and 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley Commanding General Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks spoke at the event before recognizing each of the individuals and organizations.
Each volunteer's name was spoken and remarks were made discussing their volunteering activity. They then received their awards and posed for photographs with Brooks, Brown, Command Sgt. Maj. John Jones and their brigade commander, organization director or their designees.
"It's not uncommon at all for volunteers to find themselves involved in countless activities trying to build the community in a better way," Brooks said during his speech.
Family members, civilians and Soldiers were recognized.
"Many of them are Soldiers, who live by our division motto and place our duty first, and they go beyond that duty," Brooks said. "They do volunteering work, taking it upon themselves to add even more time to the commitment of serving others after duty hours."
Volunteers receiving awards and the agencies who nominated them:
Spc. William Bristow, BOSS
Tom Case, American Red Cross
Sgt. Bradley Clark, DHHB
Karrine Cortes, USO, 1st Sust. Bde.
Nikki Crabtree, 2nd HBCT
Sabrina Daniels, 2nd HBCT
Cru Eaves, 1st Sust. Bde.
Crystal Graham, 2nd HBCT
Amanda Grassman-Turner, 2nd HBCT
Erin Gray, CAB
Sgt. 1st Class Robert Harter, 1st Bde.
Sgt. Manuel Hernandez, BOSS
Kendall Hoover, 4th IBCT
Alice Hussey, 4th IBCT
Jennifer Johnston, DHHB
Amie Jones, Chapel
Christy Kolich, ACS
Bevin Landrum, 1st Bde.
Monica Lipitt, ACS
Keith Lowe, Jr., Teen Center
Michelle McClanahan, CAB
Melissa Miletich, 4th IBCT
Jennifer Miller, DHHB
Shannon Nolan, DHHB
Kristen Norval, 1st Sust. Bde.
Pfc. Yvonne Nunez, 1st Sust. Bde.
Spc. Juventino Paredes, DHHB
Erin Roberts, ACS
Annie Rosenberger, 4th IBCT
James Sands, MSE
Annie Shankel, 4th IBCT
Pvt. 2 Clarissa Sharp, 2nd HBCT
Maj. Kristen Shinn, 1st Bde.
Jessica Smith. OCSC
Jessica Stiles, 1st Bde.
Beth Thrasher, CAB
Stephanie Witwer, ACS
Lula Woodward, 1st Sust. Bde.
Helping Hand Award
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Young, 1st Sust. Bde.
American Legion Riders Post 370, ACS/SFAC
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