CAMP WALKER, Daegu, South Korea — As the sun dipped below the horizon on Thursday, April 25th here, the Evergreen Community Club buzzed with anticipation. Inside, tables adorned with crisp linens and flowers awaited the honored guests of the evening— the dedicated volunteers of the U.S. Army Garrison Daegu community.
The event’s host, USAG Daegu Commander Col. Dave Henning, welcomed the honorees as they settled into their seats.
“I think that ‘force multipliers’ has become somewhat of a catch phrase,” Henning said. “But the people we are honoring this evening for their donated hard work are exactly that.”
Henning explained that working in installation management really teaches the value of resources.
“And all of you sitting here, and the other volunteers in our community who couldn’t make it tonight, are truly invaluable resources for our Garrison and for the entire Area IV community,” he said.
The room hummed with almost one hundred guests there to recognize more than 40 individuals, representing the large Daegu volunteer community. Each of the volunteers came on stage and was presented a certificate of appreciation signed by Henning and Command Sgt. Maj. Asgar Kamaludeen.
Among the distinguished guests were Brigadier General Frederick Crist, the commanding general of the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, and Brigadier General Roderick Laughman, the Deputy Commanding General for Sustainment of the 8th Army. Their presence underscored the significance of the volunteers' contributions to the mission and morale of the garrison.
The evening served not only as a token of gratitude but also as a reminder of the power of community. Collectively, 18,476 hours were tracked in 2023 by the Volunteer Management Information System by Daegu volunteers, or the equivalent of $567,527.26.
"Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said that 'Life's most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?'" Henning explained. "Every one of you volunteers have successfully answered Dr. King's challenge."
Highlighting the recognition were announcements of the USAG Daegu “Volunteer of the Year,” Christina Franklin, as well as award winners in several volunteer categories which included:
Active duty: Staff Sgt. Princess Navarro
Family member: Hilda Eusebio
Youth: Jacob Dickerson
Korean National: Son, Ki Sook
Youth Sports: Marcus Schilling
“I think I can say confidently that all of us sitting at the front table are in awe of your selfless service and how you give back to the community,” Henning said. “You epitomize the Garrison motto to ‘Make a Difference.’”
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