Press Release
☷Fort Rucker honors thanks volunteers of the year
U.S. Army ( By Press Release office)
Apr 29,2022
| 68| 1
Maj . Gen . David J . Francis , USAACE and Fort Rucker commanding general , and his spouse , Jodie , with the Fort Rucker volunteers of the year . Vernon Johnson , Army Volunteer Corps coordinator , presents a check representing the $345 , 000 in man hours that volunteers gave to the Fort Rucker community in 2021 to Col . Robert J . Holcombe , Fort Rucker garrison commander , and Command Sgt . Maj . Raymond P . Quitugua Jr . , garrison command sergeant major , during a ceremony April 26 at The Landing . FORT RUCKER , Ala . - - Fort Rucker honored its top volunteers during its annual Volunteer of the Year Recognition Ceremony April 26 at The Landing . Maj . Gen . David J . Francis , U . S . Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker commanding general and speaker during the event , thanked all of the community’s volunteers for their sacrifices of their time , efforts , talents and selfless service in making Fort Rucker a special place to live , work , play and pray . Vernon Johnson , Army Volunteer Corps coordinator , began the event by presenting a check representing the $345 , 000 in man hours that volunteers gave to the Fort Rucker community in 2021 to Col . Robert J . Holcombe , Fort Rucker garrison commander , and Command Sgt . Maj . Raymond P . Quitugua Jr . , garrison command sergeant major . While that figure is impressive , “that is not what this is really about , ” Francis said . “When you come through the gates at Fort Rucker , you hear the guards say , ‘Welcome home!’ because this is the home of Army Aviation , ” the general added . “But I argue that what makes this a home is the people here . And what makes this home a very , very special place to live , to work , to play , and to pray is all of you volunteers and what you do within our community . ” He said many organizations on Fort Rucker benefit from the selfless service that volunteers provide , such as Army Community Service; Morale , Welfare and Recreation facilities; Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers; chapel programs and worship services; youth sports programs; Soldiers and family readiness groups; Lyster Army Health Clinic; military personnel; the Directorate of Plans , Training , Mobilization and Security; and others . The theme of this year’s ceremony is “shining a light on the people and the causes that inspire us to serve , ” Francis added . “I am truly inspired and the Fort Rucker community is inspired by what all of you do on a day - to - day basis . You’re not doing it for a pat on the back , you’re not doing it for the recognition , you’re doing it because you care about this place and you care about the people here – our Soldiers , our families and our civilians at Fort Rucker . Thank you for your tremendous efforts – you are all so important to us , so important to our mission and important to our families . ” The following are the volunteer of the year winners and short write - ups on each that were read at the ceremony . Youth Volunteer of the Year – Emma Kate Goodson Goodson went above and beyond in her duties as a volunteer . She is being recognized for her thoughtfulness and ingenuity in her work with ACS assisting with the Army Emergency Relief closing ceremony , conducting the Lending Hangar inventory , and helping with Exceptional Family Member Program special events . She is also an honor student at Emmanuel Christian School and volunteers with various other organizations . Adult Volunteer of the Year – retired Maj . Donald Doherty Doherty provided over 500 certified volunteer hours in 2021 . He supported the Army Aviation Museum tremendously during 2021 by showing up on schedule – no small feat in itself – filling in for others , and always having a smile . He has volunteered at the museum for more than two years and truly is one of the best volunteers serving with the museum . Family Volunteer of the Year – Joshua and Staff Sgt . Deanna Lucchesi The Lucchesi family has embodied the spirit of volunteerism with their contributions to the Soldier Family Readiness Group . This family worked together to revamp their unit SFRG program during a restricted time period . As the SFRG leaders , they coordinated and planned multiple Soldier and family events , such as Stepping into the Challenge , SFRG Virtual Game Night , Halloween Trunk or Treat , Friendsgiving Thanksgiving Feast and Deck the Halls with ornament making for the kids , as well as their Christmas party , all while hosting regular SFRG meetings . Thorough their efforts , a 20% increase in participation with the SFRG was experienced . The family also volunteers at their local church in Dothan . Active Duty Volunteer of the Year – Cpl . Anastasha L . Capps Capps worked tirelessly with multiple organizations across the installation . Her work with the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers extended well beyond her unit , and she also assisted with coordinating the Ozark Library cleanup , Fort Rucker Outdoor Recreation clean up , costume drive , and setup and cleanup for Freedom Fest . Helping Hand Award – Gabriel Sistrunk Sistrunk enriched the lives of servicemembers , families , retirees and civilians throughout the installation . His assistance especially helped during the shutdown and transition of Bldg . 315 , which served as the initial in - process point for all new Soldiers , civilian employees and contractors arriving to Fort Rucker . He also supported many wounded warrior volunteer fundraising efforts . Lifetime Achievement Award – Virginia Fricks Fricks has made an impact on countless lives throughout her time volunteering . She exemplifies the meaning of serving as the heart of the Army community . She has volunteered at multiple installations , including Fort Bragg , North Carolina; Fort Carson , Colorado; Fort Hood , Texas; Fort Stewart , Georgia; Fort Riley , Kansas; and Fort Rucker . She volunteered with numerous organizations , such as FRGs , parent teacher associations , youth sports , Girl Scouts , spouse clubs , and MWR arts and crafts .
PLAY the NEWS
* May be useful for visually impaired persons .
Press release information:
Direct link to press release:
Click here .
