FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. – Members of the installation Army Volunteer Corps who generously serve the community were honored during National Volunteer Week with a recognition ceremony held April 20 at Thunder Mountain Activity Center.
“Under the leadership of the Army Volunteer Corps, our volunteers have not only risen to the challenge, they have exceeded all expectations in their support, loyalty and assistance to all aspects of the community,” said Jessica Richter, Army Volunteer Corps coordinator and Financial Readiness Program manager.
As the Volunteer Recognition Ceremony began, the audience was called to attention for the national anthem when they were met with silence from the sound system. Without hesitation, their voices rang out over the awkward pause with singing to honor the nation.
“I am not surprised our volunteers saved the day,” Richter said, applauding the sudden musical improvisation.
The Army Volunteer Corps’ mission promotes and strengthens volunteerism by uniting community volunteer efforts, supporting professional management, enhancing volunteer career mobility and establishing volunteer partnerships to support individual personal growth and life-long volunteer commitment.
“Thank you all for your volunteer work,” said Col. Jarrod Moreland, garrison commander. “For your support of Fort Huachuca, our children, families, retirees and everyone else.
“You all are incredible teammates for Fort Huachuca, we couldn’t do the things we do without you,” Moreland said.
The top five volunteers who contributed the most hours of service in 2021 are Cynthia Gilbert reaching 479 hours volunteering with Colonel Smith Middle School, Cpl. Katherine Storckman with 523.5 hours, Martina Peters with 972 hours, and Tyson Riemann donating 638 hours, all three volunteer with B Troop, 4th Cavalry Regiment.
The top volunteer for 2021 is Melissa Moreland. She single-handedly accrued 1267.75 hours volunteering for several positions with the Fort Huachuca schools, Fort Huachuca Community Spouses Club, Girl Scout Troop 90-95, and leading the Halloween Trunk-or-Treat.
The Army Volunteer Corps presented a giant check to Moreland for $369,543 representing the 12,948.25 volunteer hours served using the U.S. average hourly rate of $28.54.
Volunteers are encouraged to register in the Volunteer Management Information System, or VMIS, which tracks volunteer hours.
“This is the perfect time to celebrate what you all have done for the community and direct people’s attention to the organizations served,” said Aimee Randazzo, the senior operations and programs manager for USO Arizona, and guest speaker at the event.
Randazzo currently volunteers with the Fort Huachuca Community Spouses Club, Intelligence Electronic Warfare Test Directorate, Buena High School site council, Colonel Smith Middle School Parent and Teacher Organization, and the Fort Huachuca Family Catholic Parish Pastoral Advisory Council.
“You all give your time, energy and support every time you volunteer,” Randazzo said. “You show care, dedication and love for the people you serve, and it is truly inspiring.”
Randazzo commended the volunteers’ support in enabling Fort Huachuca’s mission.
“I’ve seen first-hand the impact your work does for this community,” she said.
Randazzo explained her personal viewpoint about being in a military community and volunteering.
“Each time we move from one installation to another, volunteering has been the best way I can find motivated, positive people to surround myself with,” she said. “I surround myself with people like you all.”
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Fort Huachuca is home to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM)/9th Army Signal Command and more than 48 supported tenants representing a diverse, multiservice population. Our unique environment encompasses 946 square miles of restricted airspace and 2,500 square miles of protected electronic ranges, key components to the national defense mission.
Located in Cochise County, in southeast Arizona, about 15 miles north of the border with Mexico, Fort Huachuca is an Army installation with a rich frontier history. Established in 1877, the Fort was declared a national landmark in 1976.
We are the Army’s Home. Learn more at https://home.army.mil/huachuca/.
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