Offutt recognizes those who give freely

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. James M. Hodgman
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Offutt honored its many volunteers at the base's annual Volunteer Appreciation Reception in the Patriot Club here April 28.

During the ceremony, the Volunteer Excellence Award and Retiree Activities Office Volunteer of the Year Award were presented and volunteers for various organizations, both on and off-base were recognized.

More than 80 people attended the event, including Brig. Gen. John N.T. Shanahan, 55th Wing commander, who thanked all volunteers for their contributions.

Volunteers are a major part of the chain that makes Offutt work day-to-day; the base doesn't run without volunteers, General Shanahan said.

The general said he's been greatly impressed by the numerous contributions of Offutt's volunteer warriors.

"Volunteers are more interested in helping others than (they) are in taking care of (themselves) and that's what (they're) all about," General Shanahan said. "You don't get any special glory, you do it because you have a passion for helping others, and it runs the gamut from the retirees of every rank to the spouses to our active-duty force."

Mary K. Burden, an account manager for the 55th Wing Chapel and the recipient of the 2010 Volunteer Excellence Award, volunteers regularly at the chapel where she teaches Sunday school, helps with after-school programs and helps plan quarterly events for the families of the deployed every year. In 2009, she contributed more than 380 hours supporting the chapel in various ways.

She said she was shocked when she learned she had won the award.

"It's nice to be recognized, but (there are) a lot of people here that deserve (recognition as well,)" Mrs. Burden said. "I love what I do and I don't do it for recognition, I do it for the families, but it's nice to be recognized."

She said her inspiration for organizing every deployed family event, is a desire to help military families.

"(I) wanted to do some fun events (here) where families could come together and feel like they were appreciated and (possibly) meet some people in the same situations," Mrs. Burden said.

During these events, Mrs. Burden added, she ensures every family knows about all services available to them while their military spouses are deployed.

Chaplain (Capt.) Glenn Bright, with the 55th WG Chapel, said he's been impressed by Mrs. Burden's volunteer efforts.

"The events for the families of the deployed, was her idea," he said. "She plans it, she recruits all the volunteers, invites all the helping agencies and ultimately makes sure the events are successful," Chaplain Bright said.

Those events are also the biggest ones the chapel is involved with outside of worship services, he added.

"Plus she does this most of the time, while her husband, (Master Sgt. Ken D. Burden, crew chief section chief with the 55th Maintenance Group) is deployed. The whole chapel is proud of her and all she's done," Chaplain Bright said.

The RAO Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to retired Lt. Col. Robert L. King, the volunteer deputy director of Offutt's RAO since 2004. In 2009, Colonel King contributed 283 hours tending to the needs of retirees and surviving spouses at Offutt and in the local community.

"This is quite an honor for me," Colonel King said, "but as far as I'm concerned, the award goes to all the volunteers, every one of them should be called volunteer of the year."

Colonel is also the writer of the Retiree Corner in the Offutt Beaten Path, the 55th Force Support Squadron's monthly events magazine, and he advises servicemembers who are considering retirement.

The colonel does this, he said, because of his desire to stay associated with the military and to give back to the service that has done so much for him and his family.

Both Colonel King and Mrs. Burden encourage everyone to get involved and volunteer in their community.

"I get more back than I give," Mrs. Burden said. "Everyone is so appreciative especially at deployed events, I've had so many parents say 'thank you' and seeing the smiles on all the children's faces, to give families a break (even) for one night, it's worth it," she said.

"We're always looking for more volunteers at the Retiree Activities Office," Colonel King said, "We can always use the help."

For information about volunteer opportunities on or off-base, call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 294-4329.