Fort Huachuca, Arizona--April is Volunteer Appreciation Month and Fort Huachuca honored its many volunteers April 13 for "Lifting Spirits, Touching Lives" during the annual Fort Huachuca Volunteer Recognition Ceremony and Luncheon at the Thunder Mountain Activity Centre.
At the event, Army Community Service Director Cheri Weber presented Fort Huachuca Garrison Commander Col. Thomas A. Boone an oversized check for $1,685,149.08 representing the amount of money Fort Huachuca's Army Volunteer Corps saved the installation during 2015. Each volunteer hour is valued at $22.52, and the fort's 2,530 registered volunteers donated a combined total of 74,829 hours.
"That's just the number that's written down, not the ones that go quietly and silently [behind the scenes]. These are the hours that were turned in," Weber said, adding that many of the installation's volunteer hours go undocumented. "That money did not come out of your budgets."
Prior to the scheduled ceremony, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca Commander Maj. Gen. Scott D. Berrier presented four Commander's Awards for Public Service.
Rebecca Alwine, president of the Fort Huachuca Community Spouses Club, was recognized for her work with the Spouses Club, Family Readiness Groups, Families and spouses.
Beth Cypher received the commander's award for her involvement with the Fort Huachuca Thrift Store and her role as chairman on the Thrift Store Board.
Debbie Cunningham garnered her award for her behind-the-scenes work with B Troop, 4th U.S. Cavalry Regiment (Memorial), contributing "countless hours and years with the all-volunteer unit, taking care of everyone, especially the horses."
Senior spouse Ann Morrison was awarded for behind-the-scenes work as a mentor for junior spouses and for her work with various organizations, including the Fort Huachuca Community Spouses Club and Thrift Store.
Morrison, acting as master of ceremonies, then began the program by presenting 20 longevity awards in the 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30-year categories.
Following those presentations, Fort Huachuca's Volunteers of the Year were recognized. Awardees received a trophy, a citation from Congresswoman Martha McSally and a certificate of achievement.
John Alex Carroll, Jr., a Religious Support Office volunteer, took Fort Huachuca's Youth Volunteer of the Year award for his role as an altar server, musician and member of the choir.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Tyson Van Patten, 304th Military Intelligence Battalion, was selected from seven nominees and named Military Volunteer of the Year.
The warrant officer received his award for "outstanding volunteer service to the community, the 304th MI Battalion and [the Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation]. Your enthusiasm and mentorship enabled our youth to learn discipline and other skills that will mold them into responsible adults," his citation stated. Van Patten, who arrived in August 2015, has been involved in coaching youth soccer, basketball and has led Boy Scout Cub Pack 413.
"I really enjoy watching the kids' personal growth," he said, citing examples of youth who gained confidence on the basketball court and through Boy Scouts.
The final award went to the Civilian of the Year.
"I've been told our selection panel members really struggled with the selection and asked if we could have six winners. Trust me, if there were six that were nominated, there are 606 behind them," Morrison said.
"Nicole Burke is our Civilian Volunteer of the Year for her unyielding support of Soldiers and Families of Fort Huachuca, the 40th [Expeditionary Signal Battalion], Army Community Service and the public schools."
After the volunteers received their awards, Berrier spoke.
"To all of our award winners, congratulations. … Thanks so much. You help make Fort Huachuca go 'round," he said.
"[Volunteerism is] the policy or practice of volunteering one's time or talents for charitable, educational or other worthwhile activities, especially in one's communities," Berrier stated describing the evolution of volunteerism in America from colonists helping each other with crops for survival to modern-day selfless service.
"If you look at volunteering across our country today, over eight billion volunteer hours [are annually contributed] across our nation. I don't know what that breaks out to … across every Army post every year, but it is substantial.
"When you think about all of the volunteers we recognized today, it is about service. For me it's about servant leadership because all of our volunteers are really servant-leaders. … It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first, a conscious choice for one to aspire and lead. I think all our volunteers are leaders and … servant leaders. What they do for us on a daily basis, on a weekly and monthly basis here on Fort Huachuca is wonderful."
Morrison then concluded the ceremony.
"In my professional life I've dedicated myself to non-profits and volunteerism," she said. "We can't measure the amount of joy that's brought to us by the volunteers and the joy the volunteers get from doing their service. They are doing it here not just at Fort Huachuca. They are doing it out in our community and in our county, state-wide and all over the world. So you all, you're what makes the Army "Army Strong" and makes our country great. Congratulations to you all.
"Thank you for what you've done, what you do every day and what you will be doing in the future."
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