An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Photo Information

Col. Chris Pappas III (right) congratulates a volunteer during a volunteer appreciation ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., April 12, 2016. The award ceremony was held for the more than 90,000 volunteer hours collectively accomplished by members of the air station community. Senior leaders represented their units, along with DOD employees and service family volunteers as they received individual recognition for their volunteer efforts and the positive impact they have on the air station. Pappas is the Cherry Point commanding officer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released)

Photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas

Service members, DOD employees and service families were recognized for their volunteer hours during a volunteer appreciation awards ceremony at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C.,

15 Apr 2016 | Cpl. N.W. Huertas 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing

More than 90,000 volunteer hours were completed by more than 5,000 volunteers from MCAS Cherry Point in 2015. An award ceremony was held to honor these volunteers at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., April 12, 2016.

Senior leaders represented their units, along with DOD employees and service family volunteers as they received individual recognition for their volunteer efforts and the positive impact they have on the air station and surrounding communities.

“It really is impressive, the impact our volunteers have had,”  said Col. Chris Pappas III, the air station commanding officer. “We have what I would call world-class programs here at Cherry Point. Our programs, like the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society and the family readiness program, do great things for our military and families. However, no matter how well resourced the programs they are, they depend on those volunteers to maintain their programs.”

According to Pappas, although the air station is not among the largest installations in the Corps, it is among the top contributors of volunteer hours. A fact that was recently recognized by Headquarters Marine Corps when they awarded the MCAS Cherry Point Single Marine Program for having the highest number of volunteer hours among all Marine Corps installations for 2015. It had 29,746 volunteer hours for the year.

Volunteering is a way to give back to not only the local community, but also to the Marines and Sailors of Cherry Point, he added.

                                                                                         -30-


More Media

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing