Fort Campbell honors selfless volunteers

Photo By Maj. Xeriqua Garfinkel | Deborah Varna (left) and Tamra Shaughnessey, volunteers with the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, pose for a photo with Col. Jimmy Blackmon, the brigade commander after an awards ceremony at Fort Campbell, Ky., Oct. 18. The monthly ceremony recognizes outstanding volunteers who donate their time in support of other military families or their communities.  

FORT CAMPBELL, KY, UNITED STATES

10.18.2012

Story by Capt. Xeriqua Garfinkel 

159th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - "Ladies and gentlemen, the ceremony will begin in two minutes," the Voice of the Eagle announced over the microphone.

The last of the awardees found their seats as approximately 100 friends and family members, soldiers and leaders found theirs. The gathering in McAuliffe Hall Atrium, Oct. 18, recognized the Fort Campbell, Ky., Volunteer of the Month, where 159th Combat Aviation Brigade had three recipients.

The Volunteer of the Month program is dedicated by the post to recognize all the volunteers for Fort Campbell, explained Sonya Long, the family readiness support adviser for the 159th CAB. Each brigade has two months during the year to nominate their volunteers, and the top three with the most hours or an exceptional community outreach get awarded a certificate, division pin, post parking pass and a bag with other goodies.

Col. Jimmy Blackmon, the brigade commander for 159th CAB, said, in a society that is increasingly self-focused, it is important for us to take time out to recognize people whose attention is on others.

The recipients squirmed in their seats. They were all too humble but grateful as their selfless efforts were brought center stage.

"I probably don't deserve it," said Tamra Shaughnessey, the family readiness group leader, Company C, 563rd Aviation Support Battalion. In less than a six month period, she planned four family readiness group meetings and an organizational day and vigilantly maintains the company Facebook page to keep Soldiers and their families well-informed.

Her tireless efforts resulted in a 90 percent participation rate in the FRG program within her company.

Plugging the hours in the Volunteer Management Information System can become a chore, but it is the only way to track the hours properly.

"You log in your hours through VMIS and you [need] so many to be recognized as volunteer of the month," said Long.

This is a crucial step in order for volunteer hours to be recognized, but is often overlooked due to the busy schedule of these tireless volunteer heroes. The importance goes beyond this post-wide recognition, though.

Blackmon said it really makes a difference, not only in the lives of the volunteers and their units, but to the community at large.

Reaching out and giving back reflects the depth of participation that is required for any community to succeed.

Deborah Varna, FRG co-leader for Company A, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, said she volunteers her time with appreciation for the sacrifices our soldiers make every day.

"[With] what the military does for our families, it's the least we can do," she said.

Varna is not only the FRG leader and squadron treasurer; she has also volunteered to be the spouse master resiliency trainer for the 159th CAB. She will teach other spouses and soldiers how to be more resilient, which means even more of her time will be committed to improving the lives of those around her.

Her tremendous efforts are a shining example of the best our Army families can do. In the midst of constant change soldiers and families undergo with deployments and PCS moves, it is a true testament to the dedication and genuine selfless service that these volunteers are recognized for.

The third recipient was unable to attend the ceremony, but is no less of a hero. Crystal Smith, with Troop C, 7th Sqdn., 17th Cav. Regt., has become an integral part to the families within the unit.

For volunteers, though, the payoff is high because everyone wins. Recognizing the hard work they put in shows efforts are not unnoticed or taken for granted.

"Once you put your heart into it, you can make anything possible," Varna said. "I just want to give to others. It is so rewarding - I can't stop."

• Date Taken: 10.18.2012
• Date Posted: 10.23.2012 15:15
• Story ID: 96638
• Location: FORT CAMPBELL, KY, US