MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- Jessica Arthur, family readiness officer, Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force Training Command, hosted the second Installation Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field, April 9, 2014.

The ceremony honored Marines, sailors and spouses who volunteer through specific units and organizations affiliated with the Combat Center.

To be recognized, volunteer coordinators with the base units and organizations submitted recognition requests to Arthur. Those volunteers were then recognized with certificates during the ceremony.

“There were over 500 people submitted for recognition, and we presented 154 to those who were able to attend the ceremony today,” Arthur said. “The Combat Center couldn’t run as efficiently without all of the volunteers we have who donate their time. Our quality of life would be detrimentally affected if we didn’t have this caliber of volunteers aboard the base.”

During the ceremony, each volunteer was recognized with a certificate handed to them by Col. James B. Hanlon, Combat Center chief of staff.

“Although we are only recognizing the volunteers for roughly an hour during this ceremony, their contributions deserve constant and continuous recognition,” Hanlon said. “All our volunteers, whether they’re service members, spouses, retirees or civilians, are true patriots and I can’t thank them enough.”

Aside from the base units, Combat Center organizations including Religious Ministries Directorate, Armed Services YMCA, The Lifestyle, Insights, Networking, Knowledge and Skills organization, Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, American Red Cross and Retired Activities Office were also recognized for their volunteer efforts.

“It feels nice to be recognized, even though I don’t volunteer to be acknowledged,” said Kristina Nanninga, L.I.N.K.S volunteer. “Giving back is a great feeling. It drives me to want to be a better person, and makes my husband proud.”

After the ceremony, food and beverages were provided to all of the volunteers and their guests, allowing time to reflect on all they have given back to the Combat Center community.

If you are interested in volunteering, contact your unit’s FRO for more information on getting involved and giving back to those who serve.