JBM-HH honors volunteer efforts

By LaTrina Antoine Pentagram Staff WriterApril 29, 2011

JBM-HH honors volunteer efforts
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

As part of National Volunteer Week, servicemembers, families and civilians gathered in Spates Community Club ballroom Thursday to recognize volunteers who have devoted their time and assistance to Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

''This is National Volunteer Week, we are celebrating people in action, honoring those who have taken it upon themselves to take action," said Col. Carl R. Coffman, commander of JBM-HH.

''Today is indeed a special day as we recall the many ways our amazing volunteers have contributed their time and expertise to our community," he said. ''The strength of the Army lies in its Soldiers, and the strength of the Army community lies in the talents and contributions of its members."

Volunteers from several organizations from 2010-11 were presented with certificates of appreciation from Coffman.

''Your most valuable commodity that you have is your time and you give that freely to us as volunteers. You give your time unselfishly and that is very important to us, and I sincerely appreciate that," Coffman said.

Volunteers served with several organizations on JBM-HH that include: the American Red Cross, the Army Officer Wives Club of the Greater Washington Area, Fort Myer Thrift Shop, the Armed Forces Hostess Association, the Army Arlington Ladies, Army Community Service, Parent Advisory Council for the Cody Child Development Center, Fort Myer Chapel, Fort Myer Library, Army National Guard Bureau Family Readiness Group, The Old Guard Ladies Association, The Old Guard Family Readiness Group, Pershing's Own Family Association, JBM-HH Retiree Services Council, Arlington Career Center, United Service Organizations and the Fort Myer Tax Center.

''The volunteers in these nineteen organizations have contributed 112,173 hours," said Sgt. Grant Vaught, narrator for the ceremony.

Mary Rose Huycke was recognized as volunteer youth of the year. As a token of appreciation JBM-HH also presented her with a $75 gift certificate, flowers, a certificate of achievement and a commander's coin.

ACS presented a check to Coffman via PowerPoint that showed the volunteers service in an equivalent dollar amount, $2,338,807.

Volunteers who contributed from five to 30 years of service were presented with certificates of appreciation. Jackie Anders, retired 1st Lt. Lawrence Ward and Karen Coffman won The U.S. Military District of Washington Helping Hand Award.

Anders served as a volunteer for ACS, AOWCGWA Club and The Old Guard Family Readiness Group. Ward volunteered at the JBM-HH Retiree Council, the Henderson Hall Marine tutor buddy program and Henderson Hall's Personal and Professional Development Branch. Karen Coffman contributed her time to ACS and AOWGWA Club.

The Helping Hand Award is presented to individuals who volunteer for two or more organizations.

Ward is the first Marine to receive the Helping Hand award, and the first to serve on JBM-HH's retiree council, said retired Col. Reginald Grier.

As a retired services officer, Ward helps retired Marines and their Families.

''It shows that there is an ability to cross service. That Marines are welcomed here as much as Army Soldiers would be welcomed in the Marine Corps Service portion," Ward said. ''If we had something like this at Henderson Hall, Soldiers could come over to work with us. I would like to see that happen. That would be a real strong point," he said.