Email   Print   Share By Andrew Pomykal, Sentinel Staff

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Nadine Albrecht, an Army Community Services volunteer, was named the 2009 Volunteer of the Year during a ceremony held Tuesday evening at Club Hood. The event honored all post volunteers who dedicate time to various post services and activities. Albrecht’s sons accompanied her onstage to receive the award presented by Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, III Corps and Fort Hood commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Ciotola, and their spouses. Albrecht’s husband is currently deployed to Iraq. Andrew Pomykal, Sentinel Staff

In recognition of her exhaustive efforts to motivate Soldiers and better the lives of their Families here at Fort Hood, Nadine Albrecht was selected as the Volunteer of the Year 2009 during a ceremony held Tuesday evening at Club Hood.

The Army wife, a former active-duty Soldier herself, was overcome with emotion after receiving the award. She was accompanied on stage by her three young sons. Unable to attend was her husband, currently deployed in Iraq. When asked about how he might take the news of her accomplishment, she simply said, “I think he would be proud.” The mere mention of her beloved Soldier overseas in harm’s way caused her eyes to well with tears. Her sons, mostly speechless and overtaken by the occasion, beamed in admiration of their mother.

This year, America and the Army celebrate National Volunteer Week in April. Across the globe, Army volunteers in the active and Reserve components will be honored through various local events and recognition ceremonies demonstrating the Army’s appreciation for their spirit of service.

The theme of the event here, “Volunteers Give the Time of Their Lives” had the ambiance of a formal candlelit dinner.

Ten years ago Albrecht donned her uniform for the last time, choosing to focus on raising her Family.

“Being a dual military Family is hard,” she said, adding that deployments were taking a toll on her Family’s welfare, so she decided to sacrifice her career to become a full-time mom.

“I miss being a Soldier,” Albrecht said, wiping a tear from her eye.

Since then, she has been actively involved in family advocacy and team building programs and as a Family readiness coordinator.

“It’s not the same as wearing the uniform, but it’s the next best thing,” she said.

Thirty-eight other volunteers were recognized for the efforts. In thanks, each honoree received a framed III Corps Certificate of Appreciation, a custom-designed watch and a red rose. Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, III Corps and Fort Hood commander and Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Ciotola and their spouses were on hand to present the awards.

Stephanie Palmer and Debbie Jarzynkowski were two others who received honors as Volunteers of Merit.

Lynch said he was humbled to be in the presence of people who gave of themselves so unselfishly. He called their work “very important” and indispensable to the largest Army training base in the world.

“There is no way we can run an installation the size of Fort Hood without your efforts,” he said. “You truly make The Great Place greater.”

Additionally, Albrecht was officially commissioned as a Yellow Rose of Texas and received a proclamation stating the same, signed by Gov. Rick Perry. A bevy of gifts donated by local merchants and post services, including free meals at restaurants and spa treatments, were given to the honorees.

Currently there are 2,400 volunteers registered on post. They dedicate about 15-24 hours per week to worthwhile projects and activities, such as Family readiness, youth programs or working in middle schools, or soup kitchens.

Volunteers also spend time helping in the animal shelter, thrift shop, or raising roofs for the local Habitat for Humanity chapter.

Soldiers who’ve returned from abroad have been uplifted by caring folks who have spent countless hours decorating barracks rooms.

Nominees for the award aren’t designed to be gender specific. Six male volunteers, including two Soldiers were also recognized for their working with either the USO or as advocates for family and post youth programs.

One of the youngest volunteers recognized for her efforts was 17-year-old Darcy Parks, who donates time babysitting and working at the animal shelter, among other activities.

She said her award has helped her make contacts to further her volunteerism.

When asked by Lynch why she had spent so much of her teen years helping others, Parks, answered simply, “Because, sir, it’s the right thing to do.”

Lynch said he was awestruck by her response and re-emphasized his admiration for all the volunteers by saying, “We love and appreciate everything you do. I don’t know how we could do it without you.”