RELEASE NUMBER: 140513-03
DATE POSTED: MAY 13, 2014
MISOC recognizes volunteers
by Sgt. Daniel A. Carter
USASOC PAO NCO
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, May 13, 2014) - Volunteers from the Military Information Support Operations Command were recognized May 7, for their dedication and contribution to the command, subordinate units, and the Soldiers in the command's second annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony.
The 79 volunteers donated their time, ensuring that the Families and Soldiers of the MISOC had all the support that they needed while their Soldiers were deployed or on a temporary duty assignment.
The opening comments of the ceremony were provided by Col. Robert Warburg, the MISOC commanding officer.
"These great Americans, these Family members, play a critical role in maintaining a high morale and robust support structure for our Soldiers," he said.
While the MISOC continuously deploys Soldiers across the globe in support of contingency operations, these volunteers continuously answer the call and step forward to help Families and Soldiers.
"We don’t do this for the recognition, but it's nice to be recognized for what we do. It's nice to know that people appreciate what we do and the time that we put in," said Desiree Barker, the MISOC Headquarters and Headquarters Company Family Readiness Group leader. "Because it is a lot of time, especially if you work, have children, or have a busy schedule."
During the past year the volunteers donated more than 2,000 hours to the MISOC and subordinate commands ensuring that the proper support channels were always available.
"With everything that our volunteers have done, from January 2012, to current, all of the volunteers have provided more than 7,100 documented volunteer hours," said Patti Notine, the MISOC Family Programs assistant.
She explained that the volunteers are present for the pre-deployment events, reunion events, Family Readiness Group meetings, the fun events such as Trick-or-Treat in the Hallways and that if it wasn’t for the volunteers that these events would not have been the success that they have become.
"I know that the gift of time is priceless. That priceless gift is what you have given the Soldiers and Family members of this command," said Warburg.
Warburg went on to explain that the United States of America is a very unique nation when it comes to volunteerism.
"We are always ranked among the top countries in the world in this aspect. A philanthropic spirit has been with Americans since the very first pioneers traveled west," he said. "Many historians believe the earliest instances of the history of volunteerism in America began when colonists had to form support systems in order to survive the many challenges that came with relocation."
The Federal Agency for Service and Volunteering has recorded data that nearly 27% of the United States residents volunteer to help others. The contribution of these exceptional volunteers has been logged at 7.85 billion total volunteer hours.
This type of commitment is what makes our great nation strong and a symbol of strength for the rest of the world," said Warburg.
In closing, Warburg wanted to leave the volunteers and attending audience with a quote from Erma Bombeck: "'Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation's compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain love for one another.' Keep up the pride and passion in what you do."