FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — It was a lively scene Wednesday evening in the Phantom Warrior Center, with a combination of Soldiers in Army Green Service Uniforms, Army Service Uniforms and civilians dressed to the nines. They were gathered to recognize those who purposefully offer their time, effort and service with no intention of recompense. The Volunteer of the Year award ceremony provides a platform for Fort Cavazos to celebrate military and civilian volunteers throughout the installation.
During the opening remarks, Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, commanding general of Fort Cavazos and III Armored Corps, spoke of the uniqueness of each volunteer’s situation but emphasized the shared trait of all awardees. “What they all have in common is the dedication to helping other people in bettering our community.”
The annual award ceremony is organized through Army Community Service, which collects the nominations. These nominations are the winners of their own respective Brigade Volunteer of the Year awards throughout the installation spanning all tenant units and 1st Cavalry Division brigades. There are special categories for nomination including senior, youth and family categories.
Once these nominations are provided to ACS, an undisclosed committee reviews the volunteers’ service. According to Diane Williams, ACS specialist with the Employment and Volunteer Services Branch, the criteria is based on the question of how many lives these volunteers have touched and the impact they had in those lives.
This year, the ceremony acknowledged 39 volunteers, a mix of Soldiers, Army civilians and spouses. All 39 volunteers received recognition for their selfless service while the most impactful was awarded the Volunteer of the Year award. Two runners-up were awarded Volunteer of Merits.
Soldiers received Army Commendation Medals, Army Civilians received Civilian Service Commendation Medals and civilians received Public Service Commendation Medals.
“It’s a great feeling to know that my organization appreciates the hard work that our volunteers put into what they do,” said Capt. Jamie Webb, an award recipient representing the 36th Engineer Brigade. “You don’t do what you do anticipating recognition for it.”
Webb is no stranger to volunteer work. Prior to commissioning, as a spouse on Fort Cavazos, she developed a holiday support program with 1st Medical Brigade called Christmas Knights. The purpose of the program was to support families in financial need to enable them to have a happy holiday season by providing warm winter coats, clothing, shoes, diapers and many other necessities. After Webb commissioned, she was assigned to 36th Eng. Bde. three years ago, and was able to start a similar program named Rugged Wish. Since the program’s creation, Rugged Wish has raised over $80,000 and supported Soldiers and families not just on Fort Cavazos but throughout III Armored Corps.
This year’s Volunteer of the Year award recipient is Sgt. Mitchel Hull of the 7-158th General Support Aviation Battalion. Hull is a United States Army Reserve Soldier and a civilian social worker. For months, he volunteered nights working a suicide hotline, helping many people through some of their most difficult times. Hull also volunteers at his local USO helping to support his fellow service members and their families.
After the ceremony, Hull expressed his thoughts on receiving the award.
“I hope it inspires people to volunteer,” he said. “I care about people, and I want people to care more about other people.”
B-roll of the ceremony may be viewed and downloaded here or by copying and pasting the following link: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/959843/fort-cavazos-volunteer-year-award-ceremony
