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Grand Forks AFB volunteers receive presidential recognition at appreciation picnic

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
TURTLE RIVER STATE PARK, N.D. --  Members of the Grand Forks Air Base community received special recognition from the nation's commander in chief at an awards ceremony during a Volunteer Appreciation Picnic hosted by the 319th Air Base Wing Chaplain Office on May 17 here.

"This day is to recognize all the impact you have made on Airmen, families and ministries this past year," said Chaplain (Capt.) Aaron Satchwill. "This past year the chapel has been blessed by the all the volunteers who have graciously given their time and talents to make a difference in the lives of airmen and families."

Fifteen members of the local base community earned the President's Volunteer Service Award.

The President's Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals, families and groups that have achieved a certain standard - measured by the number of hours of service over a 12-month period or cumulative hours earned over the course of a lifetime.

There are four different level awards in the PVSA program. The first three are the bronze, silver and gold levels. These awards are earned within three age groups: children ages 5-14, young adults ages 14-25 and adults age 25 and older. The age groups make up the individual category. The families and groups make up the second category.

The Catholic community of Grand Forks AFB received the 2013 Presidential Gold Level Volunteer Organizational Award. They had 69 volunteers, who donated a total of 6,220 hours. Chaplain (Capt.) Ruben Covos accepted the award on behalf of the Catholic community, which he has served as its last assigned Catholic priest until May 18.

Among the base Catholic community were four members who earned a PVSA for their individual total number of hours.

Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Helbling and Tanya Pavlik earned the bronze level award for donating 107 and 108 hours respectively.

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Karl Ohrn earned the gold level award by donating 808 hours; however he wasn't the only recipient of the gold level award as Roselle Greene was also recognized with the same award for her impressive donation of 2,981 hours.

Father Ruben wasn't the only Air Force clergyman to accept an award. Chaplain (Capt.) Christopher Watson joined Chaplain (Maj.) Steven Dabbs to receive the 2013 Presidential Gold Level Volunteer Organizational Award on behalf of the Protestant community of the base. The two protestant chaplains led a flock that included 87 volunteers, who donated 38,119 total hours.

Like the Catholic community the Protestant community had some of its members earned PVSA for their individual efforts as well.

Brittany Dabbs and Master Sgt. Andrew Sidorovic donated 104.5 and 201 hours respectively to earn a Bronze level award.

Tech. Sgt. Ryan McDaniel's 488 hours made him the sole recipient of a silver level award.

Col. Paul Bauman, 319th Air Base Wing commander, joined Chaplain Dabbs to present the two gold level PVSAs.

Staff Sgts. Jere Ross and Nikki Webb earned their gold PVSA for donating 510 and 992 hours respectively.

"It's wonderful to have two NCOs like Sergeants Webb and Ross because they are not just great about performing their duties as chaplain assistants, but they're very generous and dedicated to serving the community during their personal time. They are truly a blessing to our chaplain corps staff and the base community," said Dabbs.

Bauman and Dabbs also presented the Lifetime Presidential Volunteer Service Awards to members of both the Catholic and Protestant communities. The Lifetime award is the highest award in the PVSA program and it is awarded to a person who has donated 4,000 hours or more over a lifetime.

A total of seven Lifetime PVSAs were presented. The first five of which went to the individuals listed below with their respective total volunteer hours:
  • Bob Greene: 4,931 hours
  • Octavia Dabbs: 4,412.5 hours
  • Tina Watson: 4,978 hours
  • Deachole Green: 4,388 hours
  • Stacy Green: 5,144 hours
The final two individuals to be presented a Lifetime PVSA were James and Helen Winder.

"They have been a part of the Grand Forks Air Force Base Chapel Community for over forty-three years," said Satchwill about the couple.

Mr. Winder donated 4,168 hours and Mrs. Winder donated 8,399 hours.

In addition to receiving the PVSA in hand the volunteers were also given a letter from President Barrack Obama, which read in part, "Congratulations on receiving the President's Volunteer Service Award, and thank you for helping to address the most pressing needs in your community and our country....Your volunteer service demonstrates the kind of commitment to your community that moves America a step closer to its great promise.... Thank you for your devotion to service and for doing all you can to shape a better tomorrow for our great Nation."

In 2013 alone, the chapel communities of Grand Forks AFB collectively donated 42,720 hours.

"Additionally, we were able to track other contributions you have made to the greater Air Force community and beyond, bringing our final total to 50,295 hours," said Satchwill. "Your generosity and selflessness has positively impacted numerous people. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for everything you and your families have given and sacrificed."