Maj. Gen. Tony Cuculo, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, accepts the Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence for Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield at the Pentagon, July 22. Jerry Hansen, deputy assistant secretary of the A...

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, July 23, 2009) -- For the fourth time in the 25-year history of the Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence, Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield have taken one of the five top spots.

The installation was recognized in a Pentagon ceremony July 22, for outstanding and innovative efforts to better mission performance and enhance the quality of life for Soldiers, their families, civilian employees and retirees for providing superior working, housing and recreational conditions.

To make it to the top spot, Stewart won its fourth gold Army Communities of Excellence Award back in May, receiving a grand prize check for $1 million to go toward further improvements in base facilities and services, along with a trophy and commemorative flag.

Presenting the awards on behalf of President Barack Obama, newly appointed Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Installations and Environment Dorothy Robyn told the winners from each of the four services and the Defense Department that even though all had been operating under extraordinary demands, their accomplishments to improving quality of life for their commands was remarkable and groundbreaking.

Maj. Gen. Tony Cuculo, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) and Fort Stewart, accepted the Army award for the Fort Stewart/Hunter garrison. He said, "home is where the Army sends you, but home is just a word to a Soldier and his family unless there's a feeling of warmth, welcome and care behind it.

"I'm pleased to be the temporary senior commander of the magnificent Soldiers and Army civilians who understand what makes a home," he said. "We understand that it's not a home unless what's inside the gates is matched by high-quality support and life outside the gates, and we are blessed to have the most supportive community I have seen in 30 years of my service."

Other awardees included: Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; for the Navy, Fleet Activities, Yokosuka, Japan; for the Air Force, Hurlburt Field, Fla.; and Defense Distribution Depot, San Joaquin, Calif.