Photo By Staff Sgt. John C Garver | Members of the Military Affairs Council of Hawaii's Chamber of Commerce and his chain...... read more read more
Subscribe
Story By Master Sgt. Matthew Davio, 8thTheater Sustainment Command Public Affairs Office
HONOLULU -- “I want to leave behind a lasting difference in this world -- volunteering allows me to choose where and how to make a difference. It's about transforming lives, including your own. It's about a spirit of giving and teamwork. It's about making your community and neighborhood a more welcoming and accepting place. It's about creating lifelong friendships and a new way of thinking about others. Those are rewards of immeasurable value.”
The words of 1st Sgt. Felipe V. Pinero Jr., 545th Transportation Company, 8th Special Troops Battalion, are a clear demonstration of the commitment that led the Military Affairs Council of Hawaii’s Chamber of Commerce to name him the Army's Outstanding Community Service honoree for 2016. Pinero was recognized along with the other branch honorees in a ceremony at the Hawaii State Capitol here, May 6.
In some ways, Pinero’s volunteer spirit began as a young boy growing up in a poverty-stricken area of Paterson, New Jersey, dreaming of having enough wealth someday to donate huge amounts to hometown charities. In other ways, it began in 2012 as an assistant coach for his son’s baseball team, when he discovered he could make just as much of a difference with time and energy instead of money.
“I was a first sergeant at the time working long hours, which made juggling work and volunteering extremely difficult,” Pinero said. “What kept me going was the appreciation of the families and kids. It gave me a sense of fulfillment that can't be described.”
Since then, Pinero has continued to make a difference in dozens of ways, several of which were described by his company commander, Capt. John G. Tansioco, in his nomination for the outstanding Community Service honor.
“(He) has dedicated himself by helping and assisting military family members residing at the Tripler Army Medical Center Fisher House. His volunteer contributions included bringing in meals and snacks for residents, helping with general housekeeping chores, gardening, and landscaping, organizing goods drives such as paper product drives, cleaning supplies, and laundry supplies,” Tansioco wrote. “His efforts have eased the hearts and minds of overwhelmed families during their stay.”
Pinero also volunteered for the Hawaii Food Bank, making fruits, vegetables and other perishable foods available by inspecting, cleaning, sorting and boxing produce and perishable items for distribution to local agencies. As the 8thTheater Sustainment Command’s Sergeant Audie Murphy Club volunteer coordinator, Pinero coordinated efforts to preserve historical artifacts at the Fort Derussy Army Museum, specifically coating the AH-1 Cobra Helicopter there with a protectant against rust and corrosion.
Yet it is his work with Special Olympics that Pinero said he cherishes the most, having volunteered at Hawaii’s 2014 Holiday Classic, 2015 Summer Games, 2016 Polar Plunge, and 2016 Pro Bowl Beach Stadium.
“Assisting children and adults with intellectual disabilities to achieve their dreams during several Hawaii Special Olympics events is very near and dear to my heart,” Pinero said. “It's easy to get inspired with a cause you truly care about and it's rewarding to see your direct impact. I'm a firm believer that volunteering in your community enhances your own life by improving the areas where you work, live and play.”
“His time, energy, commitment and enthusiasm has touched a lot of lives,” Tansioco wrote. “He has emphasized the spirit of giving and teamwork, making him a valued member of the community.”
Pinero’s normal duties as first sergeant of the 545th include overseeing two worldwide self-deploying, ocean going, $18 million, 273-footlong, 4,395 short-ton Logistics Support Vessels; three detachments; and one headquarters: totaling an authorized strength of 88 Soldiers. Tansioco said Pinero sets and enforces high standards of conduct, training,
professional development and physical readiness, while assisting him in planning, coordinating, and supervising all activities that support the unit's unique maritime mission. Yet somehow, Pinero always seems to find time to give, and hopes others will do the same.
“I encourage Soldiers, Leaders, and their families to give back to our Ohana by sacrificing a few hours of their time by volunteering on a military installation or at one of Hawaii's many nonprofits organizations,” Pinero said. “You're bound to find something that suits your interest and fits your schedule.”
| Date Taken: | 05.06.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 05.13.2016 16:57 |
| Story ID: | 198057 |
| Location: | HONOLULU, HI, US |
| Hometown: | PATERSON, NJ, US |
| Web Views: | 74 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Hawaii Chamber of Commerce names Army's 2016 Outstanding Community Service honoree, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT