HOHENFELS, Germany -- The many volunteers-Soldiers, civilians, family members and host nation partners-who donate their time to support community organizations got a big 'thank you' from the Hohenfels community during the 2010 Volunteer Recognition Ceremony at the Community Activity Center, May 13.
Army Community Service staff said the event was meant to show Hohenfels' many volunteers just how much they are treasured, a goal they took to the extreme by planning a pirate-themed ceremony and luncheon.
Though even the Joint Multinational Readiness Center and U.S. Army Garrison Hohenfels commanders joined in their fair share of spontaneous "aargh"s and corny pirate jokes, both leaders were serious about one thing: their appreciation for the community's numerous volunteers.
"We truly could not enjoy the quality of life that we have without our volunteer's service. You have helped make Hohenfels a great little place," said Lt. Col. Kevin Quarles, garrison commander.
Col. John Spiszer, JMRC commander, took advantage of the event's theme when giving his thanks to attendees. Spiszer compared the community to a ship where the hull, what keeps the ship afloat, is represented by the community's foundations: the schools, houses and facilities, and the rudder, the tool that moves the ship in the right direction, is represented by the garrison commander and staff. In his analogy, Spiszer said Hohenfels' volunteers are the sails that provide the energy to move the ship forward.
"You can't move anywhere unless you have some sort of locomotion, unless you have something to move us along and that's the sails. You all here today are the sails that help push the whole darn ship along and without the volunteers we have here we wouldn't get very far at all. We just can't be a community without what you all do," said Spiszer.
Spiszer said after being stationed at many large posts, he continues to be impressed that the small community of Hohenfels does everything a big community does-in some cases does even more.
"That means that many of you out there are doing multiple things for us and for each other and for your kids," said Spiszer.
After the commanders' remarks, volunteers received recognition for their hard work.
Every person in attendance who had logged volunteer hours from 2009 into the Volunteer Management Information System, an online tool for recording volunteer hours, received a certificate of appreciation.
Though that amounted to a room full of people, ACS staff said the total amount of volunteers in Hohenfels is even greater than the number recognized.
"We know there are many more volunteers who don't log their hours and we want to thank them too. We want to recognize all our volunteers," said Brandi Stauber, Army Community Service director.
Stauber said VMIS is a vital tool that helps individual track their volunteer time and helps the community track total volunteer hours.
"This tool is ideal for our ever-transitioning military population. It provides an avenue to store the individual's volunteer hours/awards/training in your military community you live in now and is portable for the next community, or two or three, you move to," said Stauber.
To start a VMIS account, visit www.myarmyonesource.com.
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