FORT STEWART, Ga. - Fifty-four of the 71 installation volunteers nominated for the Marne Spirit Award were recognized April 17 during a ceremony in Club Stewart's ballroom.
Calling Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield's volunteers the "force behind the force," Stewart-Hunter Army volunteer coordinator Vickie Wiginton said the services provided for free by installation volunteers saved the military community more than $2 million between March 2011 and March 2012.
"We're recognizing our volunteers this week because April 15-21 is National Volunteer Week," Wiginton said. "We can't run our programs here without our volunteers. It's a small token to say, 'Thank you for what you do.'"
Wiginton was recognized during the award ceremony by Maj. Gen. Robert "Abe" Abrams, commander of the Third Infantry Division and Stewart-Hunter, as this will be her last year as volunteer coordinator. She's retiring from federal service.
"The 108,000 hours of service provided by our volunteers at Stewart and Hunter is equal to over 12 years' service compressed into one year," said Maj. Gen. Abrams, who then listed many of the areas in which volunteers' service is invaluable. "They're selfless. They're dedicated. They're committed. And too often, they're under-appreciated -- except for days like today."
Before the award presentations, Maj. Gen. Abrams once again thanked all the volunteers as well as Stewart-Hunter Garrison Commander Col. Kevin Milton and Command Sgt. Maj. James Ervin, Stewart-Hunter Garrison command sergeant major, for their roles in leading the garrison team.
The recipients of the Marne Spirit Award were called forward in alphabetical order to receive medals from Connie Abrams, wife of Maj. Gen. Abrams, or Sharon Watson, wife of Command Sgt. Maj. Edd Watson, the 3rd ID command sergeant major.
The ladies took turns presenting the medals, placing them over the necks of the recipients, offering warm hugs to other ladies and firm grasps of male recipients' shoulders.
Each volunteer then received a handshake and certificate from Maj. Gen. Abrams and a special coin from Command Sgt.Maj. Watson.
The heart-shaped coin has the 3rd ID patch on one side and is inscribed with the words "Marne Spirit" and "Volunteer Excellence" on the other side.
Amy Varney was one of the last to be awarded. The wife of Lt. Col. Lance Varney, commander of the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, she said she volunteers mostly at Diamond Elementary School but also as a Family Readiness Group advisor.
"I volunteer in the classroom, and I'm a member of the (parent-teacher association)," Varney said. "I'm also the chairperson for the school book fair. I like to volunteer, because I want to support the school my children attend, and I want to support their teacher."
Varney said she began volunteering shortly after her Family arrived at Fort Stewart and will continue to volunteer as long as they're in the area.
The ceremony concluded when attendees sang the Dog Face Soldier Song and the Army Song and enjoyed refreshments.
The Stewart-Hunter Marne Spirit Award recipients include:
Ms. Anita Adair
Maj. Kevin Hannah
1st Lt. Patrick Nichols
Ms. Priscilla Arthur
Ms. Emily Hansen
Ms. Alison Normand
Ms. Alexis Alvarez
Ms. Sujan Hardin
Ms. Calantha Pajela
Ms. Kelly Armstrong
Spc. Lewis C. Hazen
Ms. Krista Lynn Parker
Ms. Susan Arnold
Spc. Melissa Hernandez
Ms. Deborah Phillips
Col. (Ret) KerryBaum
Ms. Suzanne Hertel
Staff Sgt. Phillip Phinisee
Ms. Lynda Baum
Ms. Angela Hines
Ms. Brandi Raburn
Ms. Rhonda Blair
Ms. Amanda Hyatt
Staff Sgt. Marcus Randolph
Ms. Cassie Blakeslee
Ms. Julie Jackson
Ms. Kimberly Redelsheimer
Ms. Jacqueline Bonds
Spc. Keanthony Jackson
Ms. Linda Reynolds
Ms. Heather Brock
Ms. Lisa Jackson
Ms. Paula Robinson
Spc. Anthony Buonarigo
Ms. Jennifer Jaeger
Ms. Patty Scripter
Ms. Christina Carl
Ms. Jennifer Jaszczak
Ms. Lynnette Sena
Ms. Valarie Champion
Ms. Cante Johnson
Ms. Joy Simmons
Ms. Andrea Chrysler
Ms. Kristin Jones
Ms. Cindy Sinsel
Ms. Laticia Clinton
Staff Sgt. Shem Kaburi
Ms. Paula Skaar
Ms. Kelly Colbrook
Ms. Maggie Kelsey
Ms. Antrienna Smith
Ms. Melissa Coleman
Ms. Sarah Kinney
Ms. Chelsea Smith
Ms. Catty Corson
Ms. Erin Konz
Mr. Roger Smith
Capt. Brian C. Coulter
Ms. Charlotte Kyle
Ms. Samantha Smith
Ms. Lauren E. Craddock
Ms. Tabitha Lambert
Ms. Tracie Sparks
Ms. Jill Crider
Ms. Jennifer Lawlor
Ms. Julie Stangle
Ms. Eunice Cruz
Ms. Margaret Leung
Ms. Katrina Swann
Ms. Jennifer Cummings
Ms. Consuelo Ligus
Ms. Chelsey Swindle
Ms. Rose M. Cunningham
Ms. Maggie Lupton
Spc. Anthony Tetro
Ms. Iris Davis
Spc. William Martin
Ms. Amy Varney
Ms. Kellie Dudley
Ms. Lesslie Martinez
Ms. Sarah Wallace
Spc. Joshua Edwards
Sgt. Caprano Massey
1st Lt. Jeremy Warnken
Ms. Sharon Evans
Ms. Julie McRee
Sgt. Rebecca N. Waters
Ms. Jamie Fallon
Ms. Christine Mix
Ms. LaToya Patrice Williams
Ms. Evelyn Finney
Mr. Hal C. Murray III
Pfc. Khristopher C. Zimmerman
Ms. Lina S. Garcia
Ms. Kimberly Newsome
Ms. Deana Zopfi
Ms. Arianna Goodrow
Ms. Asia Newton
Encourage everyone to find the time to thank installation volunteers on a continual, yearly basis.
For more information on the volunteer program, contact the Army Community Service, Army Volunteer Corp Coordinators at 912-767-2467 (FS) or 912-315-6816 (HAAF).
Our volunteers are truly, "the Force behind the Force!"
Congratulations for selfless dedication!
Social Sharing