Volunteer Recognition

Yesterday was our big Volunteer of the Year ceremony for our installation.  Every installation does things differently according to their individual budgets.  At Hood we had an amazing ceremony, here they do things on a smaller scale.  It was still a nice ceremony and lots of volunteers were recognized.

I am proud to share that yesterday I received the Emma Marie Baird Volunteer Award for my volunteer work over the years with Army Community Services and Family Readiness Groups.  At a minimum you have to volunteer with ACS for five years and have over 3,750 hours!  What also makes it pretty cool is that very few of this are awarded Army wide! Last year only six people received it, one being my good friend Sandy.  I don't know how many received it this year but I know it wasn't that many.  It's quite humbling to have been nominated at all and even more humbling to receive it.  The Garrison Command also gave me one his coins which is always nice since Kevin and I have a friendly little competition going in the challenge coin department.
I rarely post about awards or recognition I receive on Facebook or here because it feels awkward.  I am proud of my work I do and I am passionate about it and I wanted to share this mainly with a certain group of people who are very special to me.  I was overwhelmed with the responses on my photo by my friends.  I am truly humbled at what they had to say.  I decided I will copy the messages and put them with the award itself.  I have amazing people in my life.

 The Garrison Commander and ACS director presenting me with the award.

I also received the Lifetime Presidential Service Award for serving over 4,000 hours.  That was pretty cool too as only three of us received it yesterday.

All of my boys (the hubby included) received a certificate signed by our Commanding General as a thank you for their volunteer work as well.  I am so proud of them and the example they set for others.

The last thing I want to share is a cool message that was sent to the Commanding General right before the ceremony.  He read it as part of his remarks, I was shocked.

"I tried to use the ICE system here online but it didn't work so I hope this is okay.  I wanted to let Fort Leonard Wood know they have great volunteers who do great work for their programs.  I have been able to attend briefings and classes that are taught by volunteers.  I didn't know they were volunteers until they shared why they taught the classes.

I attended a Command Spouse Seminar last week that was facilitated by Nadine Albrecht.  She was so great, shared experiences and was knowledgeable in so many areas.  I have been through other trainings with her and have been in briefings that she has done.  I hope Fort Leonard Wood knows what an asset they have in volunteers like Nadine.  I will be a better Army wife through the experience she shared and her willingness to devote her time to Army families.  When we move to our next duty station, I am inspired to go out and help others."

Whoever you are that wrote that lovely comment, thank you!  I had to choke back tears.  It's comments like that, that make what I do worthwhile!

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. ~ Sir Winston Churchill