Post volunteers were honored for their contributions to the community during the Fort Leavenworth, Kan., Volunteer Recognition Ceremony April 16, 2024, at the Frontier Conference Center.
“So, this is an amazing day — anytime we can recognize volunteers for giving selflessly to an organization and the causes we have here is an amazing day,” Fort Leavenworth Garrison Commander Col. Duane Mosier said.
Volunteers have given more than 25,000 hours of their time in the past year, and those recorded hours equate to more than $800,000. The figure represents the “cost avoidance your volunteerism has saved this installation over the last year,” said ceremony narrator April Rogers, Army Volunteer Corps coordinator and Army Community Service Employment Readiness Program specialist.
The ceremony began with the national anthem, followed by a prayer delivered by Garrison Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Nathan McLean.
“Father, we give you thanks for the many volunteers who have spent this year working on important missions and connecting with people and helping make this Fort Leavenworth community a true community,” McLean prayed. “From all the events and all the activities that they have given their time, their effort and their resources for, Lord, we give you thanks, and we give them thanks. Father, I would pray that you bless those activities and bless the activities that are to come that they are a part of. Lord, that you would take them safely from here, and if you are going to use them in other places, that you would not just bring them there safely, but help them to be a part of another community and spread what they’ve learned there from here.”
In addition to 324 total volunteers recognized, with several of them present to cross the stage to receive certificates of appreciation, two volunteers who have amassed more than 4,000 volunteer hours were awarded Lifetime Presidential Service Awards, and Volunteers of the Year were announced.
Lifetime Presidential Service Award recipient Monica Bassett founded Stronghold Food Pantry, which functions out of the Armed Forces Insurance building on post, in 2022.
“Monica opened the Stronghold Food Pantry on the installation to combat food insecurities for our service members and their families, and to promote financial security by coordinating personal financial management and life skills,” Rogers said. “Her dedication has won awards in Washington, D.C.” Bassett was unable to attend the ceremony.
Lifetime Presidential Service Award recipient Jackie Williams, who currently serves on the Fort Leavenworth Unified School District 207 Board of Education, has held more than 50 volunteer positions at five installations, spanning two continents.
She has volunteered with Army Community Service, Youth Sports, on-post and off-post clubs, “and everything in between — Jackie really knows how to put her best foot forward and really make a difference,” Rogers said as Williams joined the Garrison Command Team on stage. “You truly are an inspiration.”
Rogers said selecting Volunteers of the Year was a difficult task with so many magnificent contributions being made by post volunteers.
She announced the Volunteers of the Year in five categories.
Rachel Reed was named Spouse Volunteer of the Year.
“Rachel serves as assistant den leader for Pack 3001 Bear Den, with over 100 hours dedicated to the Cub Scouts last year,” Rogers said. “She serves as the co-mayor for Nez Perce Village. She volunteers with USD 207, the Leavenworth Lancers Swim Team, St. Ignatius Catholic Community, and more.”
Sixteen-year-old Cayman Williams, sophomore at Leavenworth High School, was named Youth Volunteer of the Year.
“This young man has volunteered at Stronghold Food Pantry and has brought in groups of teenagers to assist in volunteering to build a larger community of volunteerism,” Rogers said. “Cayman is a lifeguard, involved in (Junior) ROTC, and many other activities. He does all this while excelling in school, swim, baseball and much more. He is truly an exceptional future leader.”
He is the son of Jackie Williams and Maj. Aaron Williams, Mission Command Capability Development Integration Directorate.
Cathy Schrankel was named Civilian Volunteer of the Year.
“Cathy is a vital key to the Stray Facility on the installation. She never loses her smile, even during the most difficult of times,” Rogers said. “Cathy is a wealth of knowledge and a true advocate for all our furry friends. Cathy has been at the (Fort Leavenworth) Stray Facility for several years, and she is truly the greatest volunteer at the Stray Facility.”
Maj. Frederick Hersey, Mission Command Training Program, was named Service Member Volunteer of the Year.
“Major Hersey has volunteered more than 600 hours of community service over the last two years with the Easton Township Fire Department,” Rogers said. “Major Hersey has improved the readiness of local first responders.”
Peter Grande was named Retiree Volunteer of the Year.
“(Grande) has logged over 1,000 hours this year alone,” Rogers said. “He archives the history of Army corrections, coordinates historical submissions to the Army museums, and educates the Army and public on many historical matters.”
Mosier concluded the event with a thank you directed at each volunteer in attendance, as well as those who were unable to attend the ceremony.
“Volunteerism is the heart of giving,” Mosier said. “It is absolutely the heart of so many installations in the U.S. military, and without your efforts, we wouldn’t have the community that we have, we wouldn’t have the opportunities that we have, we wouldn’t have services and be able to enjoy the benefit of just good-hearted human beings interacting with you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
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