FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- The Fort Rucker Family gathered for "Celebrating People in Action" to salute individuals who selflessly serve the community.
Volunteers who give hours, days, months and years of their time to Fort Rucker and local communities were recognized at the Volunteer of the Year Ceremony held at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum April 4.
"These volunteers did something extraordinary, they stood up and said 'Yes' when they found something they could do to serve this community," said Maj. Gen. Anthony G. Crutchfield, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker commanding general.
"These volunteers remind me of a picture I saw last week when I stayed in Arizona. I came down in the lobby of the hotel, and there was a large picture of a man who had passed away. This man was the manager of the hotel for several years and you could tell he was well loved," said Crutchfield. "But what struck me was the caption under the picture. The caption said, 'The answer is yes, now what is the question'' That was this man's motto and I know for a fact these volunteers have said 'yes' before they asked 'What is it that you need me to do'' That is the hallmark of a volunteer."
Volunteer of the Year awards were presented in five categories: Active Duty Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer Family of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Volunteer of the Year, Youth Volunteer of the Year and Adult Volunteer of the Year.
Active Duty Volunteer of the Year, Capt. Tom Beier, Safety Officer 23rd FTS instructor pilot, shared his time over the last three years as a volunteer in the Fort Rucker Catholic Chapel program and in the local community.
"Volunteering is an opportunity to give something back to the people who have done something for you," said Beier. "You don't realize who all has been involved in getting you to where you are today. When you have the opportunity to give something back it is very gratifying."
Beier also serves on the parish council and is a Eucharistic minister at the Catholic services and volunteers with the Military Council of Catholic Women, Knights of Columbus, fund raising, and preparing and distributing Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets.
Volunteer Family of the Year was awarded to the Family of Lt. Col. Scott Halverson, 1st Battalion 14th Aviation Regiment, including his wife, Karyn, and children, Ashley, Joshua and Taylor. They were recognized for their significant impact on the Fort Rucker community. Scott volunteers time with the church and Boy Scouts. Karyn volunteers her time with the Family Readiness Group, is a care team member, Fort Rucker Thrift Shop publicity chairperson and is a member of the church's relief society.
Ashley, Joshua and Taylor spend their time volunteering for yard work, childcare, Boy Scouts, Project Linus and more.
Velma Bastin was recognized as the Lifetime Achievement Volunteer of the Year. Bastin has volunteered her time since the 1960s, starting in Germany, and has continued volunteering in the U.S. and at Fort Rucker.
"For me, volunteering is a fulfillment I enjoy it very much and I love helping people," said Bastin. "I think it makes a difference in the lives of those I help, especially the nursing homes."
Bastin has volunteered for many organizations, volunteering 800-900 hours per year for the last 20 years. She has spent time serving the enlisted spouses' organization, high school scholarship committee, the Christmas Bazaar, the senior citizens Christmas party and helped with the Dale County Nutrition Centers.
Youth Volunteers of the Year, Jennifer and Victoria Borneman, have spent time with the religious education program since their arrival at Fort Rucker. They have also served as hall monitors, collected attendance sheets and compiled numbers for the religious education director, and have been substitute teachers and classroom helpers.
"I am honored to receive this award, but the award is not as rewarding as actually volunteering," said Jennifer.
The girls have served as ushers the last four years at Sunday Mass, they are also members of the Catholic Youth Organization and participate in all CYO events.
"By volunteering I have gained a better understanding of people and broader view of the world," Jennifer added.
Adult Volunteer of the Year, Gary William Swidergal, serves the Protestant Chapel community and has been a Sunday school teacher for over 20 years. Swidergal directs children's church, serves as an usher and assists with various service projects. Other projects he spends his time volunteering for include: designing props for chapel dramas, musicals and conducting teaching demonstrations. One of his biggest accomplishments is volunteering with the Bible-era carpentry shop offered during Vacation Bible School each year. The shop allows children of all ages to safely "try their hand" at using tools.
Four additional volunteers were recognized for having dedicated over 800 hours of their time in the past year to serving others throughout the community. Luis Lampon dedicated 1,101 hours with the Cub Scouts, Therese Erthal dedicated 1,311 hours with the Catholic Chapel, Ernest Smith Jr. dedicated 1,495 hours with the Thrift Shop and the Department of Public Works, and 1st Sgt. Michael McGee dedicated 1,778 hours with the Boy Scouts.
In 2010, there were 64,170 volunteer hours reported at Fort Rucker, the estimated dollar amount of those who volunteer is $1,370,671.
Volunteers not only help others, but obtain valuable work experience and opportunities for training to learn new skills, opportunities to increase marketable job skills, and assume responsibility of leadership roles, said Karen Hayes Army Volunteer Corps Program Manager.
"We are very lucky to have these volunteers who perform duties to make others' lives much better," said Crutchfield. "To the people who say 'yes' to our community, I would like to personally say thank you for what you do every day."
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