HAGATNA, Guam – Lt. Governor of Guam Ray Tenorio presented the President’s Volunteer Service Award (Gold) on behalf of the Corporation for National and Community Service to Coastal Riverine Group ONE Detachment (CRG-1 Det.) Guam May 7, at the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor’s Complex.
The award was presented in recognition and appreciation of CRG-1 Det. Guam Sailors’ commitment to strengthen the nation and communities through 2,460 hours of volunteer service from March of 2014 to March of 2015, which resulted in the detachment being the only unit/command in the U.S. military this year to receive the gold level of the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
“[CRG-1 Det. Guam] has done something to improve our island,” said Tenorio. “Not just to defend our democracy, not just to stand in the face of oppression and tyranny, not just to stand to protect the freedoms that we sometimes take for granted in our country, but to be able to go out and do something for our fellow man wherever deployed or assigned. No matter what the level of your work, it’s the sentiment behind it that really matters.”
The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes U.S. citizens and lawfully admitted permanent residents of the U.S. who have achieved the required number of hours over a 12-month period.
“This isn’t something that we strived for just to get out there to achieve the award,” said Cmdr. Robert Smith, CRG-1 Det. Guam Officer In Charge. “We just wanted to get out there and contribute to and be involved in the community. It’s been one of those benefits of having gone out there wanting to volunteer and ending up with the recognition and I’m really proud of them for that.”
Eleven Sailors assigned to the detachment were also given Presidential Volunteer Service Awards for their individual volunteer hours.
Master-at-Arms 1st Class (EXW) Christina Deleon and Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Emilee Enos were awarded silver Presidential Volunteer Service Medals for volunteering a minimum of 175 hours. Master-at-Arms 1st Class (EXW/SW) Christopher Tyner, Master-at-Arms 1st Class (EXW) Jennifer Andrews, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class (EXW/SW/AW) Carolina Jose, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (EXW/SW) Jose Velasquez, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (EXW) Emmanuel Ubiera, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (EXW) Charlie Pietzman, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Alexis High, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Paul Jones and Master-at-Arms Seaman (EXW) Isaiah Sambol were awarded bronze Presidential Volunteer Service Medals for volunteering 100 to 174 hours.
“When I got to Guam, it was my first time away from my home and family,” said Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Emilee Enos, a native of Charlotte, N.C. “I worked a lot with Special Olympics before I moved here and when I found out there was a Special Olympics program here, I started working with them. Ever since, it’s been like another family. That’s why I like to volunteer, but I’m really proud of my command for achieving this award.”