You may not know Laura Ayers by name, but you'll know her by her deeds.
It's in the care packages she's sent to deployed troops. The Soldier who fell on hard times and didn't have the cash to make it home to see a sick family member, but because of Ayers, made the journey. The countless servicemembers coming home from war trying to figure out life after battle who have learned to cope with injuries and PTSD after reading her workbook, the Reintegration Action Plan.
There is no way to count the numbers of hearts and lives Ayers has touched, because while she may have an idea of just how many that might be, her humility will never let her tell. The only guarantee is that there are hundreds, if not thousands more, to be added to that list in the years to come if she has her way.
For her volunteer work in support of Soldiers and their families, as well as to individuals with disabilities, Ayers, an engineer with the Army Materiel Command, will receive the Spirit of America Festival's Audie Murphy Patriotism award in a ceremony at Point Mallard Park in Decatur Wednesday at 7 p.m. She is the first female to win the award.
"I can't say enough good things about Laura Ayers," said John Perry, for whom the festival's CSM John and Brenda Perry Support for Military Families award was named. "Personality wise, she is the most energetic dynamo I have ever known, who has the ability to energize everyone around her. She prefers to work in the background, but she's always in front leading the way. She's a humble person never seeking to be in the spotlight.
"She works with some of the most influential leaders on Redstone, yet her heart is with her volunteer work. If there are Soldiers or veterans in need, she is there to help. She is always grateful for what she has placing segmental value over monetary value. She has survived tornadoes, health problems and more, but you'll never hear her complain. Her attitude is always positive. She is always outgoing, always friendly, and always willing to help those in need. She exemplifies the term 'selfless service.'"
Ayers' resume of volunteer work makes you wonder when the Army civilian ever has time to sleep -- Greengate School trustee/board member, AUSA Redstone-Huntsville Chapter VP Awards Program, North Alabama Veterans and Fraternal Organizations Coalition board member, Alabama Returning Veterans co-founder and co-chairman -- the list goes on and doesn't begin to account for the numerous servicemembers from across the nation that reach out to her for help with such life changing situations as rape, PTSD or injury. Abiding by all medical privacy and HIPAA regulations, Ayers never broadcasts the work she does, for fear it would discourage someone else from coming forward.
"By remaining silent and answering their calls and their needs, and helping them find the best solutions, you're allowing them to keep their dignity," Ayers said.
Having spent so much time working with veterans and servicemembers returning from war, Ayers has taken her experiences and co-authored a workbook, the Reintegration Action Plan, which helps men and women work through their challenges so they can "fully" return home. The workbook is endorsed by the State of Alabama, the Army, Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs, and has become popular nationwide, even in the prison system.
"It allows them to think through and identify," Ayers said. "They might not realize, 'Well, I'm grinding my teeth over here, I'm anxious at the gas pump here.' It helps them figure out what could be the connections."
Homegrown in Huntsville, her spirit of volunteerism runs in the family. Generation upon generation has lived to serve others, including her great-grandmother, who devoted her time in support of the troops through the Red Cross, earning five of their 5,000 hours of documented service pins. Whether or not she's carrying on the family tradition, she's not quite sure -- it's just who she is.
"I honestly care and I honestly want to help," Ayers said. "Is it instilled in me? I don't know. I just want to be there to help. It's just one of those generational things. It's just who you are. It defines who you are."
That definition of self began 28 years ago, when she began her volunteer work as a tutor for a disabled child. While each organization and individual she works with is important, she'll always have a special place in her heart for where she got her volunteering start, with children.
"If you help a child at the right stage you're opening up an avenue for them that can last their whole life," Ayers said. "You'll be amazed that just giving them the right tool set allows them to blossom. You stand in awe because you give them just something little, and you watch them take it and make it their own."
When Ayers was told she would be receiving a Spirit of America Festival award, it was under the guise that she'd be receiving the Humanitarian Award, not the Audie Murphy, the festival's oldest and original award. It wasn't until the press conference announcing the 2012 winners in May that she discovered she'd be joining the ranks of Johnny Cash, Jesse Owens, Homer Hickam and Bear Bryant.
"We try so hard to remain hidden," Ayers said. "That definitely took the Band-Aid off."
With a laugh, Ayers predicted in the years to come that people would look at the list of Audie Murphy award winners and wonder, "Who's Laura Ayers?" But for the countless families and servicemembers whose lives have been touched by her helping hands, there's no doubt they'll remember. And Ayers will always remember why she's there to serve them.
"I'm thankful for the freedoms and the rights we have," she said. "Some of them have paid the ultimate price. Some continue, for the rest of their life, they'll remember what they've done."
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