SJAFB shows appreciation to volunteers

Twenty-two Team Seymour volunteers, who dedicated more than 120 hours of their time, were recognized and received awards, April 20, 2016, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.

Seymour Johnson AFB’s Airman & Family Readiness Center, 4th Force Support Squadron and Volunteer Advisory Committee hosted an awards ceremony and ice cream social to celebrate and show appreciation to all Team Seymour volunteers.

“We currently have 192 registered on the President's Volunteer Service Award website,” said Ray Ramsey, 4th FSS volunteer program manager. “Only a fraction of them are actively logging volunteer hours, and there are some people who are not even registered on the PVSA website.”

Before the ceremony began, Ramsey presented a check for $78, 039.12 to the 4th Fighter Wing, accepted by Col. Andrew Bernard, 4th FW vice commander. The check represented the amount of money saved through volunteer hours logged on the PVSA website.

Of those recognized for their contributions, several were honored with accolades including the Presidential Service Award, Volunteer Excellence Award, North Carolina Governors Volunteer Service Award and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

Two Airmen, Staff Sgt. Candace King, 4th FSS Airman Leadership School instructor, and Senior Airman Kyle Decker, 4th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, received the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. These Airmen were nominated for performing extensive volunteer service above and beyond the duties normally expected to the local community and providing at least 500 hours of service.

“[She] consistently drives team performance on and off duty,” said Master Sgt. Jeffery Stoner, 4th FSS Airman Leadership School commandant, when asked about King. “She's been an outstanding non-commissioned officer, leader and mentor for this school and more than deserving of the Volunteer Service Medal. The NCOs she's taught and impacted have molded the 4th FW into the Air Combat Command's premier fighting force.”

After all recipients received their awards, attendees were treated to an assortment of desserts.

“I hope to increase the number of people who are registered on the President's Volunteer Service Award web site, and tracking their volunteer hours so we will have more award recipients receiving recognition,” said Ramsey. “If we can increase the number of people who will volunteer, we can make it better for more people, and the Volunteer Event will grow right along with the rate of increase.”