FORT KNOX, Ky. – Soldiers, civilians and military family member volunteers of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command were recognized April 21, in a ceremony presided over by Lt. Col. Julio Reyes, commander, Special Troops Battalion, 1st TSC.
Forty five of the 49 recognized volunteers received their awards for their 41,740 cumulative hours of volunteer service with our Soldier and Family Readiness Group, at unit functions, in our directorates, and with our 10 local community partners. Some individuals volunteered 400 or more hours, and it’s estimated that the volunteers have saved the government nearly $2 million.
The STB commander thanked the volunteers who helped pack food for those in need, assisted at deployment and redeployment ceremonies, made more than 400 calls to the families of our deployed First Team members each quarter, picked up trash, participated in Wreaths Across America, and cooked for others. They volunteered with hospice care, animal shelters, local veterans organizations, and in schools.
“The Army values translate to volunteering,” Reyes explained. “It says a lot about their character when they give their own time to help others with their selfless service.”
“Today we want to acknowledge their amazing work, and this award is a small token of our appreciation. We are extremely grateful for your service,” Reyes lauded.
Reyes also acknowledged the 10,1st TSC community partners, “I cannot thank you enough for supporting our veterans, active-duty Soldiers, families, and our community,” he added.
Volunteer Pfc. Matthew Neal, intelligence analyst, 1st TSC, likes to volunteer and was glad to have the chance to do so in other parts of Hardin and Meade Counties in addition to Fort Knox.
His advice to those wanting to give their time to help others, “Make sure that you take care of yourself first,” he said. “Get your eight hours of sleep every night, and help when you can, but remember to take care of you.
“There are a lot of problems out there, but just complaining about them does nothing. Get out there and be the change that you want to see in the world,” Neal encouraged.
Various levels of volunteer awards were presented. The first group received the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. Soldiers received this award for volunteering an average of three years or 250 hours.
Those who earned the MOVSM include:
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Megan Rowe
Maj. Stephen Boughton
Maj. Charles Walton
Capt. Koty Caldwell
Sgt. First Class Jason Graham
Sgt. First Class Colin Anderson
Sgt. First Class Joshua Withers
Staff Sgt. Lamar Mack
Staff Sgt. Jee Lee
Staff Sgt. Tyontee Hosley
Cpl. Milicent Paguirigan
Spc. Logan Johnson
Spc. Eris Northcutt
Pfc. Matthew Neal
The President’s Volunteer Service Award is a civil award bestowed by the President of the United States to honor those volunteers who dedicate more than 500 hours for the Gold level, over 250 volunteer hours for the Silver PVSA, over 100 hours for the Bronze PVSA, and more than 4,000 hours for the lifetime achievement award. Nancy Walton volunteered the most, with 7,463 volunteer hours.
Lifetime PVSA recipients:
Master Sgt. Ralph Boyd
Sgt. First Class Victor Alsen
Sgt. First Class Angela Curry
Sgt. First Class Ruta Alexander
Sgt. First Class Julia Puente
Jennifer Clark
Nancy Walton
Gold PVSA recipients:
Sgt. First Class Chantel Glover
Stephanie Caldwell
Brittany McGee
Silver PVSA recipients:
Capt. Keith Peterson
Sgt. First Class Joni Acevedo
Lori Dowgielewicz, Lori
Bronze PVSA recipients:
Capt. Francis Burghart
Staff Sgt. Muryce Harris
Mikaila Bell
Sara Walton
Racheal Parks
Janet Laufenberg
The Army Commanders Award for Public Service Medal is awarded to 1st TSC family members for distinguished service or achievements that greatly contributed to the accomplishment of the 1st TSC mission.
These were presented to Micaela Cabrera and Karen Boughton.
The Patriotic Public Service Lapel Pin is awarded with a certificate of appreciation, in recognition of patriotic service performed by civilians.
Those recognized with the PPSLP include:
Ezra Caldwell
Blain Caldwell
Trevin Caldwell
William Clark
Andie Eberting
Adalyn Egas
The 1st TSC also took the opportunity to recognize some of our community partners. Certificates of Appreciation were presented to representatives from the following organizations:
Avril Dobson and Kathy Krantz – Blackjack’s caretakers
American Legion Riders Post 113
American Legion Auxiliary Post 113
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10281 in Vine Grove
Active Heroes
United Services Organization
American Red Cross
Army Community Services
Department of Emergency Services
All volunteers were recognized for their contributions to the 1st TSC, the Fort Knox community, and the nation.
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