FORT SILL, Okla. (Jan. 30, 2014) -- The 214th Fires Brigade held its semi-annual volunteer recognition ceremony Jan. 21 at the Fort Sill Conference Center.
The event honored Soldiers and civilians who gave their personal time in the service of their neighbors, brigade and community.
Soldiers and their family members from across the brigade continually spend their spare time volunteering and serving in family readiness groups, churches, daycares and other organizations.
By giving their free time, volunteers both assist their neighbors and community with vital services and also improve their own lives by learning new skills, making new friends and developing a more impressive resume.
Seventeen Soldiers and 34 civilians were recognized and awarded before an applauding and grateful crowd. Soldiers received the Military Outstanding Volun-teer Service Medal, and civilians either the Com-mander's Award for Outstanding Service or a Certificate of Achievement for Patriotic Civilian Service.
Command teams and thankful supporters looked on with the same pride as smiling parents at the work of their awardees. Sgt. Brittany Scott, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 214th FiB, received her volunteer service medal for her time spent helping out at a daycare center.
"I really enjoy reading to children," Scott said. "It is important for their education and a long-term benefit to the community. I would do it with or without this award, but I like that my leaders recognize people's hard work that too often goes overlooked."
Denise Tribble, 214th FiB family readiness support assistant, organized the evening's event.
"The brigade commander wanted to show our Soldiers and family members that we appreciate what they do and inspire others to get involved too," she said.
Tribble stresses volunteering is not only an integral part of the daily operations of many institutions and organizations on and off post, but is also an action that provides incredible benefits to those who get involved and give their spare time to a cause greater than him or herself.
"Volunteering fills a dead space in one's life," said Tribble. "It connects you to a community and allows you to make a difference in the world and in yourself. The Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal is worth promotion points and both civilian awards look great on a resume. Hard work, especially volunteer work, never goes completely unnoticed, volunteering led to me getting the job I have now, and it's a job I absolutely love."
These rewards and recognition however, are not the reasons Tuesday's honorees put in so much time and effort.
"I volunteer at my church's daycare because I like working with children and helping people. I never would have thought that I would get anything for it, that's not why I started or why I still do it. I do it to help," said Aliah Jefferson, daughter of Staff Sgt. Stephanie Jefferson, 168th Brigade Support Battalion.
But, her mother was quick to remind her the certificate of achievement would look good on her college applications.
A great many Soldiers and their family members work to make the brigade, its subordinate units and Fort Sill itself a tight-knit and welcoming community through their volunteer efforts. One person who is continually working to this effect is Leah Steele, an Army wife and family readiness group volunteer for Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery.
"I try to volunteer for every event the unit puts on," Steele said. "I love supporting my husband and the unit, it is a fun way to improve overall mission and family readiness.
"I started volunteering because it was a good way to meet people and make new friends at a new duty station," continued Steele. "But, as time went on I found that I just really liked it."
Steele earned her certificate of achievement for working unit FRG parties and shooting photos at unit events. She carried that giving spirit a step further by spending her own money to make and distribute prints to aid in the lasting memories of those living and working all around her.
The 51 individuals recognized are just the first in a long line of "Leaders" to be celebrated across the brigade for their hard work and selfless dedication to their community. Brigade leaders said they will continue to periodically honor those who selflessly give.
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