JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Two members of the Joint Base Langley-Eustis community received the Military Citizen of the Year award from the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce during a ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hampton-Marina Hotel in Hampton, Nov. 12.
The award is named in honor of Samuel T. Northern, a local businessman who devoted most of his life to strengthening the relationship between the local community and the military. Since 1955, the award is presented annually to recognize the military citizen who has made the most significant contribution in the area of community service.
According to the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce website, each year, the VPCC names one outstanding and deserving representative from each branch of the military. Service members E-6 and below who are chosen, demonstrate active participation in off-duty community activities, as well as performing the military standards.
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Elizabeth Marat, from the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing, and U.S. Army Sgt. Barry Hines, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 210th Aviation Regiment instructor, earned the honor for dedicated volunteerism in their respective communities.
For the past four years, Marat has worked countless hours performing special services and charitable deeds, volunteering for a myriad of activities and special events both on and off base to help those who need it.
"I am honored to be chosen as the Military Citizen of the Year," said Marat. "This came as a surprise to me. I did not know I was chosen until someone sent a congratulations note in an e-mail. I just feel that I am doing my part in the community."
Hines, who has been stationed at Fort Eustis for 15 months, has committed his after duty hours to coaching football to 6- and 7-year-old children.
"I love volunteering so I can pass on a vast amount of knowledge and help children start on the right track," he said. "I truly believe that if you can help children at a young age, they will start on that track and stay there."
Hines said he uses as much free time as possible to help guide them in the right direction.
According to Marat, volunteerism is all about changing lives and inspiring people in need, but most importantly, leading by example and encouraging others to volunteer will set an example to others.
"If it's just an hour of your time over your lunch break to go over to a school and read to children, assist with Meals-on-Wheels or other community-related activities, volunteering can positively affect an individual's life," she said. "Whether it's at a school tutoring math and reading or donating your hair to Locks of Love, anybody can volunteer."