Volunteers recognized at ceremony

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  It's a check that can't be cashed, but it's already paying big dividends. 

The Voluntary Advisory Committee presented a check worth more than $1.4 million to Col Dean Clemons, 96th Air Base Wing commander at the Volunteer Recognition Ceremony April 17. The amount represents what the base saved thanks to volunteers donating more than 80,000 hours of service. 

"Inspire by Example," was this year's theme for the ceremony which is held during National Volunteer Week. It is an annual celebration that properly recognizes volunteers who selflessly give their time to base activities and names Angel Award winners. 

"This week is about thanking one of Team Eglin's most valuable assets, our volunteers, and calling the public's attention to all that volunteers do to improve our community," said Brig. Gen. David Eidsaune, Air Armament Center commander and program executive officer for weapons. "The theme really reflects the power that volunteers have to inspire the people they help as well as inspiring others to serve." 

The Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal was presented to four Airmen who performed outstanding volunteer community service of a sustained, direct and consequential nature. The medal recipients are: Tech Sgts. Brian Jelsma, Jimmy Lopez-Beniquez, Lawrence Millard and Staff Sgts. Michael Thomas and Burt Villarreal. 

After the medal presentation, nominees were introduced in six categories. From helping the youngest dependents with Operation Stork, to assisting retirees at Bob Hope Village, both on and off-base agencies benefit from the generosity of more than 600 volunteers. 

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Alvin Beedie, the winner in this year's Angel Award Retiree category, spent more than 1,000 hours assisting the Air Armament Center's Safety Office with inspections of the base's playgrounds. He knows what he's looking for; he retired from that office after more then 50 years of combined federal service. Not one to stay home, he spends several hours nearly every day helping out. 

"They were short handed and I decided to see if they needed some help," Chief Beedie said, "and they said yes." 

Julene Marks was the recipient of the Volunteer Excellence Award. She has donated more than six hours a week at the Thrift Shop for more than ten years. 

"It's most fulfilling, you get back more than you give, Mrs. Marks said. "You feel like you're doing something worthwhile, I can't describe it." 

Mrs. Marks said working at the thrift shop keeps her young and gives her an opportunity to meet many of the young spouses--something she truly enjoys. Plus, she feels the thrift shop deserves her support. 

"It (the thrift shop) gives so much to Airmen; it is such a service to our military," she said.
General Eidsaune said the true spirit of volunteerism is not just giving, but also receiving. 

"I don't think any of our volunteers will tell you that their volunteer efforts are a burden or a chore; I think they will all tell you they get a lot out of it and in most cases, more than they put in," he said. "That's the true spirit of volunteering." 

This year's Angel Award winners are:
Category 1 - Active duty: Staff Sgt. Jerome Winston
Category 2 - Eglin civilian: David Burkhalter
Category 3 - Family member: Vera Grace Crist
Category 4 - Retiree: Alvin Beedie
Category 5 - Youth: Justin Adolph and Melissa Beckham