The award for Service Person of the Quarter is reserved for
exemplary service members who have put others before themselves. Sgt. Timothy
Pattison earned the honor for his exemplary actions, not only in his duties as
a Marine, but in the local community as well. He joined the other recipients from
the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army Reserves during a luncheon and ceremony at
the Boathouse Restaurant in Beaufort, N.C., Nov. 15, 2016.
Not new to volunteering, Pattison has constantly served
others during his time as a Marine, receiving 11 letters of appreciation, one
certificate of appreciation, and five meritorious masts for his performances
while giving back. Since arriving to the area, he has accumulated over 50 hours
of community service with different organizations, including the Carteret
County Humane Society and the Carteret County Wildlife Shelter, within the
Carteret County area. Pattison is an automotive maintenance technician assigned
to Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd
Marine Aircraft Wing.
“I’ve tried to be involved in absolutely everything I can,”
said Pattison. “I immediately went to the Single Marine Program and asked them
what I could do for the community and what volunteer opportunities they had
available.”
The SMP afforded Pattison opportunities to volunteer with
local organizations such as The Boys and Girls Club and local animal shelters
to help make a difference in the community.
“Every weekend they would
tell me about two volunteer opportunities and I would go do them,” said
Pattison. “It’s not about the hours you put in, it’s about the impact you make
during your short stay here at the air station.”
Although Pattison thoroughly enjoys volunteering now, that
wasn’t always the case. Pattison has developed a new appreciation for volunteering
after seeing what it does for the community.
“Honestly, at first I didn’t enjoy it [because it was
mandatory]. Over time, you notice the people you affect, and see how happy the
people are.”
Earning this award is one of the biggest accomplishments of
Pattison’s life thus far.
“This is actually the most significant thing awarded to me
in my entire life,” said Pattison. “To have people recognize what I’ve done is
very humbling. I really don’t think I deserve something like this. I’m just
glad to have people recognize that I’m trying to help out.”
By volunteering regularly, Pattison hopes to spread
knowledge that Marine Corps is giving back to the local community that has been
so supportive of the armed forces in the area.
“I want people to realize that we aren’t just the number one
fighting force in the world,” said Pattison, “but the number one helping hand
in the world as well.”
Pattison has a message for anyone to anyone who wants to
volunteer: it’s worth it.
“If you are ever thinking about how to better yourself as a
person, just go out and volunteer,” said Pattison. “After I started
volunteering, I noticed I felt like a better person and that’s why I do it as
much as I can.”