Hohenfels Soldier wins GEICO award

By Mr. Mark Iacampo (IMCOM)March 8, 2011

Cpl. Timothy M. Wells
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

HOHENFELS, Germany -- A Hohenfels soldier has been chosen as the Army's 2010 recipient of the GEICO Military Service Award.

Cpl. Timothy M. Wells, a military police desk sergeant and DARE officer with U.S. Army Garrison Hohenfels Headquarters Detachment will be honored at a special awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. this April.

"I'm very grateful that I get to represent the Hohenfels community and receive this honor, showing that we not only put as much time and effort into our training mission, but also into our community to make it a better place to live for us and our families," said Wells.

Wells said he is especially honored to be recognized by a civilian firm.

"A lot of outside companies don't really look at the military, they don't really understand what we do here," he said. "They say they support the military but you really don't see it, especially here in Europe."

Now in its 23rd year, The GEICO Military Service Awards Program selects one member from each Military service branch as well as one member from the reserve/national guard to recognize for contributions made in the areas of drug and alcohol abuse prevention, fire safety and fire prevention, and traffic safety and accident prevention. Nominees are judged on how their career (on duty) or non-career (off-duty) related activities contribute to their community and the extent these activities serve to inspire other Military or civilian personnel.

As the community's DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) representative, Wells spends most days at the Elementary school conducting classes on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.

"I try to get to the school as much as I can," Wells said. "Early education is really important. If we make them aware of what drugs and alcohol and other harmful chemicals can do to their system at a young age, then they are less likely to do it when they get older. They understand the effects of it now, before it's too late."

Beginning with kindergartners, Wells said he works up to a full 10 week program for 5th and 6th graders. In addition, he volunteers at the school's outreach programs, like the Kinderfest and ice cream socials, by setting up a DARE booth and talking with children and parents.

"It's important to get it (drug and alcohol abuse information) out to the parents as well, so they understand what their kids are doing" he said.

In addition to his work for DARE, Wells' nomination cited his many hours devoted to traffic section, ensuring that all traffic cases and citations were handled in a timely manner. Wells also logged significant volunteer hours with the Outdoor Recreation Department, providing route recon for the new ATV course, and he has been instrumental in the development of a new indoor paintball facility.

In addition to a plaque and a $2,500 cash honorarium, GEICO will provide roundtrip transportation and lodging for Wells and his wife Luann in Washington, D.C. to attend the presentation ceremony.

"Luann was extremely excited and proud of me," Wells said. "We have been married for almost 9 years now and she is the true hero in this. She has stood by me and pushed me this whole time. Many times I have missed out on birthday parties and wedding anniversaries but she understands that my mission is just as important when I am home as when I am deployed."