MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Marine Corps Community Services held its annual volunteer appreciation celebration aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Apr. 16.
MCCS recognized the hard work and dedication of volunteers from the Single Marine Program, Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society, Flying Leatherneck Historical Society, School Liaison Program, and various units and organizations across MCAS Miramar.
MCAS Miramar holds this ceremony each year during National Volunteer Appreciation week, a program established in 1974, to commend, engage, and encourage its attendees to keep contributing.
“Volunteering, to me, is very important,” said Sgt. Jonathan Vazquez, a supply administration chief with Marine Aircraft Group 16 and a Houston native. “I feel it’s just a way to give back to the community and it makes me feel good to help others, so it’s a win-win situation.”
Vazquez volunteers a full day every month to community outreach events coordinated by the Single Marine Program
In line with past years’ celebrations, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band held a special concert to accentuate the exceptional impact of volunteers.
“From me and Susan, I want to thank you for your passion, your unselfish caring, your patience, and your love for the Marines and Sailors of Miramar, so thank you very much,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Rocco, commanding general of 3rd MAW.
Rocco and Col. John Farnam, commanding officer of MCAS Miramar, punctuated the influence of the volunteers with an oversized check for $450,000, representing the value of more than 4,000 collective hours volunteered to the local community throughout the year.
“You [volunteers] are very humble people, and I respect that,” said Farnam. “The leverage you give me with the people out in town because of the things that I can say that are rock solid truths about of all the work that you put in makes Miramar a great part of San Diego, and we’ll be here for a long time because of your service, so thank you very much.”