CORAOPOLIS, Pa. (Sept. 18, 2010) - Fred J. Fair, an Army Reserve Ambassador for Pennsylvania, addresses community leaders and service members about the importance of community support to veterans and their families during a ribbon-cutting ceremony fo...

CORAOPOLIS, Pa. (Sept. 18, 2010) - An Army Reserve Ambassador for Pennsylvania spoke to community leaders, business representatives, servicemembers and their Families during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Tech. Sgt. McGarity U.S. Army Reserve Center.

Fred J. Fair has served as an ambassador since the program was founded 12 years ago. He, like other ambassadors, was selected by the Army Reserve Chief after review by numerous boards and committees.

Fair, a retired sergeant major, has never found anything hard about his volunteer role as an ambassador, he said.

"I don't even think about it, because I have such a passion to help Soldiers," Fair said. "Uncle Sam was good to me ... As long as I have the energy, I'll keep going."

Fair directs his energy toward telling the Army Reserve Soldiers' stories to civilian organizations and helping Soldiers get support from their communities, ensuring the public understands and appreciates the Soldiers' service. He regularly speaks with Family Readiness Groups to understand how better to help Soldiers. Furthermore, Fair advocates for Soldiers not only by showing how communities can help Soldiers, but by how Soldiers help communities.

Having met with the staff members from the newly opened Army Strong Community Center, Fair plans to spread the word about the services they provide and return within six weeks to further understand how he can help promote the Army Reserve. During the ceremony, Fair declared his belief the new center would be the most successful yet because of the overwhelming support from local communities.

In addition to his role as an ambassador, Fair serves as the Pennsylvania vice field chair for the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), co-chair of the Pennsylvania State ESGR Committee, and chair of the Northwest Pennsylvania ESGR Committee. He is a member of U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire's Military Liaison Committee and an active member of the Pennsylvania Veterans Manufacturers Consortium.

"I will do anything to help our servicemembers," Fair said. "If I can help you ... I feel good, and I enjoy feeling good."