JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph paid tribute to its volunteers for their "spirit of service" during the Volunteer Appreciation Awards Ceremony April 22 in Fleenor Auditorium.
Col. Michael Gimbrone, 502nd Security Forces and Logistics Support Group commander, presented certificates of appreciation to 36 volunteers and 34 organizations.
Gimbrone recognized volunteers for donating "the one commodity that is at the same time both priceless and free - their time."
"Thank you for giving your time and talent so freely and without expectation of anything in return," he said. "I am overwhelmed by the outstanding accomplishments of so many of you, and your generosity and commitment to the community speak volumes to your character."
Kathleen Moree, JBSA-Randolph Military and Family Readiness Center chief and emcee for the ceremony, said volunteers have created a "spirit of service that makes Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph and the surrounding community a better place to live and work."
"Every day our volunteers dedicate time, talent and efforts that truly inspire us all," she said. "Our community, both on JBSA-Randolph and in the local area, is greatly enriched due to the contributions of our volunteers."
The ceremony also featured the recognition of JBSA-Randolph's Volunteer Excellence Award nominees and winners. Jasper Blake and David Harness of Headquarters Air Education and Training Command and Stephanie Bock of the 12th Operations Support Squadron were winners of the lifelong achievement award, which is authorized by the Air Force chief of staff to recognize federal civilians, family members, and military and federal retirees "who perform outstanding volunteer community service of a sustained, direct and consequential nature." Other nominees were Margaret Fite of the 359th Medical Support Squadron, Scott Murff of the 558th Flying Training Squadron and Eleanor Umphres of the 502nd SFLSG Office of the Judge Advocate.
Volunteers represented numerous organizations at the ceremony, including AETC, the 12th Flying Training Wing, the 502nd SFLSG, the 359th Medical Group, the M&FRC, youth programs, the library, the thrift shop, the chapel, the Yellow Ribbon Spouses and the officers' and enlisted spouses' clubs.
Moree also noted the contributions of the Key Spouse Program, a commander's program that offers the spouses of service members a relationship with a volunteer who gives them a direct line of communication with unit leadership and provides them with support.
"A key spouse is a vital link that serves as the bridge between the active-duty community and the military spouse and family," she said. "Our key spouses put in a countless number of hours, but their hours of dedication are not unnoticed."
Savannah Lohn, JBSA-Randolph M&FRC community readiness consultant, said volunteers contributed more than 115,000 hours in 2014, the equivalent of more than $2,575,000 in services.
"Volunteers expend a lot of time and energy giving back to our community," she said. "We should take the opportunity to thank them."
Volunteers are a diverse group, from active-duty members and their family members to civilian employees, military spouses and retirees.
Volunteer Excellence Award winner Bock, 12th OSS registrar, said she volunteers through the American Legion in Converse, the 12th OSS Booster Club and various animal rescue programs.
"I enjoy helping others in need," she said. "I do it from the heart and expect nothing in return. There is no greater satisfaction or joy in life than putting a smile on someone's face."
Bock said she was "humbled" to receive the award.
"Without volunteers, many of the 'behind-the-scenes' events would not be successful," she said. "I have been blessed to work with many of the volunteers in the local area, and we all do what we do for one reason - to help others; we definitely do not do it for the recognition. I am truly blessed to be given the opportunity to do what I do for the community."
The volunteers honored were:
Kenneth Frollini
William Manning
Maj. Toni Whaley
Chaplain Col. Steve Shaick
Senior Master Sgt. Jeffery Oyer
Capt. James Pettibone
Robert Montes
Eric Davis
Master Sgt. Amara Childs
Edward Orner
Maj. Dorian Williams
Bill Watson
Liz Day
Amy Espinoza
Marilyn Weed
Mike Clayton
Douglas Opersteny
Milian Michalec
Col. Sharon Bannister
Senior Airman James Johnson
Vanessa Hollinger
Lou Foehrkolb
Staff Sgt. Ruby Rivera-Reyes
Master Sgt. Jessica Whittenberg
Robert Jacks
Lt. Tara Cotton
Juan Garza
Col. James Fisher
Roger Corbin
Bryan Hall
Maj. Gary Wells
Stephanie Bock
Lt. Col. Oliver Johnson
Lt. Col. Mark Schmidt
Katrina Scott
Lt. Col. Joel Deboer
Lt. Col. Robert Bryant
Kevin Haley
John Herman
Lt. Col. Justin Trumbo
Charles Hasberry
Henry Roper
Joe Harris
Karen Gleason
Lt. Col. Justin Joffrion
Tech. Sgt. Jason Arends
Tech. Sgt. Ronald Mathews Jr.
Debbie Aguirre
Stephen Pritchett
Antoinette Davis
Savannah Lohn
Bert Francois
Joe Jomes
Rhodeen Howell
Jennifer Fligg
Amanda Ozuna
Anna Gary
Maggie Allshouse
Virginia Serrano
Manuela Ellison
Yolanda Gutierrez
Jasper Blake
Margaret Fite
David Harness
Scott Murff
Eleanor Umphres