Volunteer of the Year Awards acknowledges dedicated, caring people

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- More than 300 people attended the Volunteer of the Year Recognition ceremony April 15 at the Sam Houston Club to recognize individuals and groups who have gone above and beyond in donating time, dedication and commitment to the community.

The Army Community Service Volunteer Program hosted the awards ceremony, highlighting those who have given of themselves to undertake a service or duty.

Individual award recipients were presented with a framed rendition of the Fort Sam Houston Quadrangle and clock tower done by a local artist. Recipients of the group awards were given framed artwork of the Combat Medic bronze statue.

"My heartfelt thanks to all those who volunteer," said Col. Mary Garr, U.S. Army Garrison commander during the opening ceremonies.

"We honor you today. The millions of dollars worth of volunteer hours doesn't begin to describe the value you have."

Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator Cynthia Rodriguez and Brooke Army Medical Center Chief of Volunteer Services Jessica Veilleux presented Garr with a symbolic check in the amount of $7,493,816.25, representing the dollar value of the volunteer service provided to the FSH community.

"As we present these awards, we want to recognize each and every dedicated volunteer for their exceptional contributions to our Army community," said Judith Markelz, Warrior and Family Support Center director and mistress of ceremonies, as individuals accepted their awards.

"These extraordinary individuals' incredible dedication and commitment to helping others is a perfect example of caring for one another," Markelz said.

Individual awards went to: Edward Williams, Warrior and Family Support Center; Roger Hopkins, American Red Cross; Willie Noles, BAMC Retiree Activities Group; Robert "Bob" Bomer, Fisher House; Christen Jensen, BAMC Auxiliary; Masae Grutza, BAMC Department of Ministry and Pastoral Care; Joseph Campbell, BAMC Office of Volunteers; Lolly Orlowski, Retired Officers' Widows Wives Club; Sgt. Anthony Profit, Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers; Carryn Sheehan, Spouses Club; Irene Collier, Military Officers Association of America, Alamo Chapter; Charles Shelby, Army Community Service; Laura Lamoureux, Boy Scout Troop 23 - Adult; Michael Sees, Boy Scout Troop 23 - Youth; Matthew T. Philbrick, IMPACT - Youth; Kazumi Ritter, IMPACT - Adult; Paul Sontag, Keith A. Campbell Memorial Library; Irene Wigginton, FSH Catholic Community; Miki Larvins, FSH Protestant Volunteer; Sgt. 1st Class Melanie Locklear, U.S. Army North - G1; Stephanie Schell, Cole Cougar Pride Club; Jennifer Tucker, Cole Cougar Cub Parent - FSH Faculty; Natalie Fletcher, Cole Cougar Cub Parent - FSH Elementary Parent Teacher Organization; Barbara Matson, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment Family Readiness Group Leader, 201st Military Intelligence Battalion; and Angela Burgess, FRG Leader, 14th MI Battalion.

Family awards went to: the Wileys Family, Protestant Family; and the Sees Family, Boy Scout Troop 23.

Group awards were presented to: BOSS volunteers; WFSC volunteers; Fisher House volunteers; Camp Bullis volunteers; Community Recreation Division, Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation; Boy Scouts Troop 23; and the 14th MI Battalion FRG Team.

A streamer was presented to the Military Officers Association of America, Alamo Chapter, which has resided at Fort Sam Houston since the chapter's founding in 1958. The streamer signifies the attainment of the Five Star Chapter of Excellence Award for outstanding service to the MOAA national organization and the military community.

The Alamo Chapter is one of nine chapters in a nationwide network of 410 chapters to receive this award. Retired Air Force Lt. Col. U.S. Edward Marvin accepted the award on behalf of the chapter.