Photo by Christina Mennella Col. Carl R. Coffman, Joint BaseMyer-Henderson Hall commander, presents his wife Karen Coffman, ACS volunteer, with a rose and a certificate of appreciation.

Volunteers for JBM-HH give their time so that Soldiers and military Families have access to an array of valuable services. As an incentive and a thank you for the volunteers Fort Myer Army Community Service held a luncheon in their honor.

Laurie Brown, chief of ACS, gave welcoming remarks and asked all of ACS’s volunteers to stand for a round of applause. Volunteers stood up and welcomed the audience’s applause.

‘‘Today we set aside a time to celebrate our ACS volunteers and the many acts of caring that you perform,” Brown said. ‘‘Whether it’s answering a phone call, welcoming a Soldier, giving directions, facilitating classes, phoning and listening to a recent widow or any of the [number] of services you provide. Each act is performed with kindness and professionalism. You not only make a difference in the lives of Soldiers and their Families, you also enrich the work experience for each one of us ACS staff members.”

Following Brown’s remarks, Chap. (Lt. Col.) Barry White came forward to offer a prayer during which he recognized a member of the community who recently passed away.

‘‘We thank God today for this opportunity to come and say thanks to our Family of volunteers from ACS the best in the Army ... We also come today remembering, Arlene Gray, a friend and a volunteer, who is now gone and with you. O Lord, we thank you, for sharing her with us for so many seasons God bless our fellowship.”

Lunch was followed by special remarks by Col. Carl R. Coffman, JBM-HH commander, and Blanche Glymph, ACS volunteer supervisor.

Coffman explained that volunteers exemplified patriotism and congratulated them for their commendable dedication and service.

‘‘I applaud you all, for your continued support to our Soldiers, our Family members, the retirees and civilians in our community,” Coffman said. ‘‘Regardless of your particular role, just know that I’m deeply grateful to all that [ACS volunteers] bring to the fight and to the table — more than 4,000 hours of ACS volunteer service just this year. Your willingness to devote your time and talents is truly appreciated by the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall command team.”

Glymph said she has volunteered with ACS for 35 years and she jokingly thanked Coffman for paying for lunch. She pointed out special volunteers who deserved an extra round of applause. Coffman and Glymph took the podium together and called ACS volunteers to the front to give them a rose and a 2010 day planner.

‘‘It was an honor to be recognized for my support to ACS, especially in light of the many years of inspiring volunteer service by others,” said Gina Marton, ACS volunteer and military spouse. ‘‘Being new to the military environment, I understand firsthand the value that ACS provides to the military community and I am proud to volunteer there.”

If anyone is interested in registering to volunteer with the Army Community Service Volunteer Program, please contact Robin Cordovez, ACS volunteer program manager, at (703) 696-0168.