Photo By Terrance Bell | John Hall, deputy to the CASCOM and Fort Lee commanding general, speaks before the...... read more read more
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FORT LEE, Va. (Oct. 28, 2019) -- A capacity crowd of 300 people gathered at the Lee Club Oct. 22 to honor and celebrate the achievements of Fort Lee’s civilian workforce.
The Celebrating Civilians Awards Luncheon was a first-time event hosted by the installation’s Civilian Welfare Fund. During the program, 37 employees received special acknowledgement with the presentation of Army Outstanding Civilian Service medals, Commendation and Achievement awards, as well as the Cornerstone and Special Act awards administered by CWF.
Barbara A. Vonada, CWF chairwoman, said the event’s underlying purpose was to highlight the organization’s work in supporting Fort Lee’s civilian professionals.
“We created a forum where we could reach the largest audience possible in order to showcase the things this organization does post-wide,” said Vonada, who also is the executive assistant to the Chief of Ordnance. “In return, it allowed Fort Lee to recognize those volunteers who have worked diligently and tirelessly for the past six years to rebuild and grow this Army program into what it is today. Simultaneously, it gave us another opportunity to point out the fact our civilians not only give at the office but also contribute much to their communities.”
CWF, which began here in the 1970s and rebirthed in 2013, functions to support Fort Lee missions through the subsidization of recreational and morale-building activities for federal and non-appropriated fund employees, according to its website. In the past, it has sponsored field trips, free lunches and other events. Retirement recognition mementoes also are one of its offerings.
Through Celebrating Civilians, CWF sent a powerful message about the importance of recognition and leadership support, which was vividly alive and well during the event, said Vonada.
“(The luncheon) allowed us to encourage and foster new relationships throughout the entire civilian workforce across all Fort Lee agencies,” she said. “It created a new level of awareness of the programs CWF offers, and reinforced the critical role every agency representative plays in the success of their civilian support organization.”
During the luncheon, John E. Hall, deputy to the CASCOM and Fort Lee commanding general, affirmed the importance of the work Fort Lee civilians do.
“I am delighted,” he said, “to be here today to celebrate our Fort Lee civilians . . . who play an important role in the defense of our nation and in helping support our armed forces. I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate what you do every day.”
There are more than 5,000 DoD Civilians on the installation, he emphasized, and that workforce is made up of a talented, dedicated and diverse group of people.
“Civilians are members of a global family who encourage excellence, professional development and balance. As an integral part of the team, you sustain base operations during war and peace,” he imparted on the audience.
Hall presented awards to the following installation employees:
DA awards: Susan Garling and Kathy Martin, garrison headquarters; Kimberly Castle and Buddy Mayo, Logistics Exercise and Simulation Directorate; and Carrie Williams, Defense Commissary Agency.
Special Act Awards: Holly Allman and Debra Johnson, Family and MWR; Sheilise Jordan, Ordnance School; Nicole Schrinel, Defense Contract Management Agency; and Stacey Towns, CASCOM.
The newly established Cornerstone Award recognizes individuals who serve on the CWF council. First-time recipients are: Doug Riney and Andrea Taylor, Air Force Detachment; Leslie Crutchfield and Steven Jones, Army Logistics University; Kyerra Leonard, CASCOM; Haryn Singleton, Fort Lee Commissary; Katerina Thornton, Civilian Personnel Advisory Center; Jennifer Childs and Melissa Burgess, DCMA; Victoria Williams, Kathy Milley and Alberta Eddy, DeCA; Idian Hall and Tina Avendano, Dental Activity; Sandra Martinez and Eunice Wooden, Defense Military Pay Office; Kenneth Bolton and Sammy Couch, Directorate of Logistics; Elwanda Baugh, garrison; Rosa Woodley, Tammy Maberry and Lesley Atkinson, Kenner Army Health Clinic; Sonya Henderson and SCPO Lance Burfict, Military Entrance Processing Station; Teresa Walker and Larashe Sandy, Network Enterprise Center-Lee; Andrea Lakata, Software Engineering Center-Lee; Michael Rainey and John Steffey, Research and Analysis Center-Lee; Melissa Henegar, Mission and Installation Contracting Command; Deborah Leach, Ordnance School; Katarina Sams, Quartermaster School; Andrea McRuffin and William Stanley, Transportation School; and Hector Jimenez-Jaiman and Frank Schneck, Army Force Management Support Agency.
The Celebrating Civilians program kicked off a weeklong list of events. Civilian employees were treated to a reduced-cost Creative Canvas class, free Kona Ice at their worksites, and the ever-popular free chicken sandwich lunch drive-thru.
Fort Lee’s CWF aims to be a model program, said Vonada. Board members drive the agenda with support by agency primaries, who serve as “voices of the organization.” The board is steadfast in supporting civilians and always welcomes new ideas and feedback, she emphasized.
For more information about the CWF and how it supports Fort Lee civilians, visit www.fortleecwf.com.
– Carrie Meinzer and Staff Reports
| Date Taken: | 10.28.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 10.29.2019 16:39 |
| Story ID: | 349775 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 67 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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