Courtesy Photo | SAN ANTONIO (April 26, 2017) Rear Adm. Rebecca McCormick-Boyle, right, commander, Navy...... read more read more
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SAN ANTONIO – Four Navy Medicine Education, Training and Logistics Command (NMETLC) members were among San Antonio-area active and reserve military, military retirees, civilian federal employees and military family members from all five military services honored at a volunteer awards ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio – Fort Sam Houston (JBSA-FSH) April 26.
Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacquelyn Childs, Mr. Mark Kazak, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Mari Williams and Hospital Corpsman 1st Charles Wilton were among the approximately 200 volunteers from four military installations recognized at the Joint Base San Antonio Volunteer Awards Ceremony.
“It was very humbling to be nominated by the JBSA's Catholic Community as Volunteer of the Year,” said Wilton. “One never volunteers for the recognition, but it's always nice to be recognized, especially by so many other great volunteers. Those of us affiliated directly or indirectly with our nation's Armed Forces are some of the most generous people in the world, and our drive to serve others comes from the acknowledgment that we have been blessed with so much.”
The ceremony recognized efforts ranging for volunteer work over the last year to nearly a lifetime. Kazak was recognized for a variety of volunteer work that began in 1988.
“It was an honor and a privilege to be nominated for the United States Air Force Chief of Staff Volunteer Excellence Award,” said Kazak, an NMETLC e-learning development specialist. “I did not win the award. I was one of 11 people nominated, and four people were chosen as award winners.”
Kazak said some of those 11 Volunteer Excellence Award nominees have been serving as volunteers since before others honored were even born.
“I was standing between 30-year volunteers on one side and Volunteer of the Year Youth Category Teenagers on the other. I consider myself blessed just to be nominated.”
Rear Adm. Rebecca McCormick-Boyle, NMETLC commander, provided congratulatory remarks and presented the awards.
“In community, we exercise the freedom, privilege and opportunities offered us in the United States,” McCormick-Boyle said. “As community, we live, work and play. What builds and nourishes community? What creates and sustains a truly vibrant, happy and productive community? I believe involvement through volunteerism sets an exceptional community apart from all others. I believe it is that group of selfless individuals who give of their time, their effort, their skills to strengthen the community and assist others.”
Awards were not presented to all 200 nominees, but all were recognized. Large groups representing volunteer categories stood to the applause of those attending. Small groups and individuals were presented awards by McCormick-Boyle. Following the ceremony, all posed for group or individual photos with McCormick-Boyle; Air Force Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle, JBSA commander; and Mr. Robert Naething, deputy to the commanding general, US Army North (Fifth Army).
Audience reaction and award nominee comments demonstrated a joint-service spirit across JBSA installations and indicated leaders and peers appreciated the hard work and accomplishments of the volunteers.
“I think it's really great the base gets together like this to honor volunteers, and it just goes to show what kind of a tight-knit installation this is,” Childs said. “I was really impressed to see the strong Navy presence there. I was surprised and honored to learn the command nominated me for the individual volunteer award. I just like to get out and help out as much as I can and do my part in the community.”
McCormick-Boyle summed up the volunteer spirit and tight-knit community Childs, Kazak and Wilton described.
“Volunteers come together, they solve problems, they meet needs, and along the way they learn and grow themselves. Through their efforts they create unity and strength of purpose across and within the community. Without volunteers, Joint Base San Antonio would not be what it is. Neither would this great Military City USA.”
| Date Taken: | 04.26.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 05.03.2017 11:24 |
| Story ID: | 232392 |
| Location: | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 115 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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