Fort Riley, Kan.-Soldiers and spouses of the 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, received recognition during the Division's fourth Volunteer of the Quarter ceremony at the Riley Conference Center, Feb. 7.
Two honorees from 1HBCT were Heather Drake and Sgt. Joseph Maden.
Drake, spouse of Maj. John Drake, the 1st HBCT Signal Officer, received the Volunteer of Quarter 2011 Officer and Civilian Spouse Club Award.
Maden, the operations noncommissioned officer in charge, assigned to 4th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st HBCT, received the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for over 100 hours of community service conducted during the last quarter.
Drake said volunteering proves to be a chance for her to actively engage with the local community and help fellow Soldiers and their Families.
"My passion for volunteering came from knowing Soldiers here, and I fell in love with doing as much as I can to give back to them," said Drake.
During the month of October, Drake, along with other volunteers, began coming up ways to raise money and receive toys for 'Operation Santa Claus'.
Their goal during OSC was to work with the local communities of Manhattan, Junction City and Wamego, as well as, local businesses to accept donations in order to give as much as they could to the military Families.
Maden, a Poteau, Okla. native, received recognition for working with the 'Adopt-a-School' program in Council Grove County where 4-4 Cavalry is partnered with three different schools.
Deployed in support of 'Operation Enduring Freedom', Maden returned to Fort Riley and began working with the program after being asked to speak about his experience overseas.
"I received a gunshot wound to the upper arm and shrapnel to the pinky while deployed," recalled Maden. "After I came back, one of the NCOs recommended I talk to the football players about my combat wounds and my attachment grew towards the students so I took over the program from there."
Maden said he and his unit attended the games, helping boost the players' morale, giving them water and helping them when they were injured.
"I feel it's great for me to be able to share my experiences with them. I hope it encourages them to keep going and stay in good spirits regardless of the wounds they may receive on and off the field or court," stated Maden.
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