FORT HOOD, Texas, April 20, 2011 -- Before joining the Army, Pfc. Phillip Plack spent four years volunteering at his local hospital by dressing as an elf for the kids during Christmas.
The door to volunteering opened at a young age for Plack. His mother worked at the North Kansas City Hospital, in Missouri, when he was a child.
After graduating from Park Hill High School in 2010, Plack continued his history of volunteering by enlisting into the United States Army, as a cavalry scout.
Now assigned to Troop B, 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, the volunteer road for this 20-year-old Soldier is not completed.
"My party style is volunteering, or finding some way to help other people," said Plack. "I don't drink or smoke. Volunteering is my way of relaxing."
When Plack arrived to his unit, he began searching for what he could do around the Fort Hood area. During his search, he found the United Service Organization, where he began assisting Sept. 9, 2010.
"He is an outstanding Soldier with a great work ethic," explained Sgt. Daniel Duncan, Plack's section sergeant. "Any task he is given he can accomplish with minimum [noncommissioned officer] supervision."
At the USO, Plack helped by cleaning on a regular basis.
"When someone comes in we make sure they get a snack, get situated, see if they have any questions, and if they are new to Fort Hood find out if they need help getting anywhere," Plack explained. "(We) just talk to everyone that comes in."
Within three months at the USO, Plack completed 200 hours of volunteer work, the equivalent to roughly a month and a half of work.
"I wish more of our guys would step up and do what he is doing," said Duncan.
Upon learning about the numerous hours this Soldier spent volunteering Plack's leadership asked him for his recorded hours, in order to recommend him for the Army Outstanding Volunteer Award.
"To some people, the praise and recognition are important, but I do it for fun," Plack said about his upcoming award.
"I think it's great the amount of volunteer work he has done," praised Duncan. "It really says a lot about a person to give up their free time to volunteer for other people."
Related Links:
STAND-TO!: Army Volunteer Corps - A Tradition of Service
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