FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
Occasionally, there are a few Soldiers who go above and beyond to live out the Army core values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. They become loyal, respectful, honorable individuals. They achieve selfless service, integrity and personal courage within themselves, with their families, and within their communities.
Every year, the Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads recognizes the hard work and volunteer efforts of military families of each service who not only follow, but live those core values, and award them with the honor of the title, "Five Star Military Family."
Several families from Eustis are nominated each year and the winner is announced at a ceremony held in November, which is Military Family Appreciation Month.
This year, Lt. Col. Layton Dunbar, commander, 24th Transportation Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade, and his family received that honor. They have volunteered for numerous groups, including 24th Trans. Bn. Family Readiness Groups, and the USO.
Dunbar has volunteered for the Veterans Administration Hospital of Hampton Roads, where he has visited veterans in the dialysis wing. He has also volunteered with the 3D Sports AIMS program, where he helped coordinate a silent auction for the Aim for Excellence Foundation that raised more than $8,000 and allowed 103 kids the chance to attend summer camp on full or partial scholarships.
His wife, Kathryn, who works with The Parent to Parent Program, which is part of the Military Child Education Coalition, also volunteers. She is the president of the Spouses Club of Fort Eustis, has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, and worked with the Crisis Action Response team to organize and teach the 7th Sust. Bde. CARE Team training, and established teams to help families after a tragedy.
The Dunbar family has demonstrated top community spirit through volunteerism within the military, around the base, and in the local community.
Their inspiration for wanting to volunteer, according to Lt. Col. Dunbar, is the belief that their community is made up of those who live there, and as a member of their community, they want to make it a better place to live, work, and grow.
"I have always had a desire to give back to my community, beginning with my enlistment and commissioning in the Army," said Kathryn Dunbar, who served 16 years on active duty and the Reserves. "When I got out, I wanted to stay involved with Army families through volunteering. Additionally, we have instilled volunteerism in our children."
Their sons Andrew, 24, and Sean, 15, do their part in helping the base and local community as well.
"Time together as a family is very important to us," explained Lt. Col. Dunbar. "If one person in the family volunteers for an organization then we all rally together and help that group out while spending time together."
They also spend a lot of family time together doing activities such as bicycling and camping. Sports and other active events occupy their remaining free time.
While Lt. Col. Dunbar is deployed, the family continues their selfless efforts by finding ways to stay engaged by preparing care packages, writing letters, and helping other families who have deployed spouses.
The Dunbars are excited and honored to be named the Five Star Military Family for the Army.
"It is an honor to, first of all, be nominated for the award," said Lt. Col. Dunbar. "We believe that giving back to our community is extremely important. If we can make an impact or make a difference in our community, then we are fulfilling our civic duty.
"We want to thank all the other volunteers who also help their community," he continued. "We are but four volunteers out of a sea of great servants to our community."