President's Award - May 15, 2004

May 15, 2004

Our volunteer Fire Lookout group was asked to participate in the Take Pride in America kick off event where many other Volunteers would be working in the forest to help with the fire damage and recovery efforts.
Susan and I set up my tent, and Ric sets up his tent for this event.  We also setup our entire street fair display and I brought a 1930's era radio that was playing Smoky Bear advertisements from the 1950's.
Hope & Paul was asked to staff the main entry table.  George enjoys some fruit from the complementary breakfast tables the event had set up for the volunteers.
Horse-mounted volunteers help patrol the back woods and they also use pack mules to carry out tons of trash each year.
FIRE INFO-1 is an information truck that is used by the Forest Service to help with Fire Information during an emergency.

I was very interested in this duty, and gave my name to the fellow in uniform.
A youth group from up north was also on hand, showing their tools that they will use on the tails and back country of the mountains.  They had a game where if you could name the tools, you would get a nice water bottle.
Following the 7:30 a.m. breakfast, volunteer projects will commence on four national forests, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, BLM public land sites and more.

Projects include: hillside stabilization and revegetation, dead trees and fire fuel removal, sign painting and repair, pine cone and seed collection, and much more.

Senior citizens, youth groups, off-road-enthusiasts, RVers, conservationists and others will participate this Saturday and in subsequent activities planned throughout the remainder of 2004.
Our booth is fully setup and my Mom  & Dad come to see the event and lend her support.

They got news that something special may happen to their son at this event.
Supervisor Angeles National Forest, Jody Norion, welcomes everyone to the Take Pride in America kick off event.  She introduces the special guests and personnaly thanks the many volunteer groups that not only showed up today, but for all their work they do in the forest.

There are also many groups that are located around Southern California listening in via Radio.
People from all over come to the early morning event.
Deputy Chief of the Forest Service Chris Pyron

Mr. Pyron tells everyone the statistics regarding the numbers of volunteers nationwide in the forest service.

"For every uniformed paid staff in the Forest Service, there are 10 more volunteers."

He states quite clearly that Volunteers are the Heart of the Forest Service.
U.S. Interior Assistant Secretary Lynn Scarlett

Mrs. Scarlett talks about how the Department of the Interior  (the Park Service) and the Department of Agriculture (Forest Service) are working closely together and how the contributions of volunteers are helping.

She states that she has some awards that will be presented later.
Derrick Crandall, Chairman, Take Pride in America Partners Council

Mr. Crandall reports to everyone how many volunteer groups from Take Pride in America program, a national public/private partnership working with Southern California Friends of Take Pride initiated the Pledge Drive to solicit 10 hours per volunteer for work on some 730,000 acres burned this fall. The Drive netted over 400,000 volunteer hours - or the equivalent of more than 190 full-time employees working for a year.

Mr. Crandall had a special award to be given, and asked me to step forward.
In his 2002 State of the Union address, President George W. Bush issued a challenge to all Americans to make time to help their neighbors, communities, and Nation through service.

He called on each person to dedicate at least 4,000 hours – or two years – to service over the course of their lives. He created the USA Freedom Corps to help all Americans answer his call to service and help foster a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility.
In 2003, President Bush created the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation to find ways to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our Nation.

The Council comprises leaders in government, media, entertainment, business, nonprofit, and volunteer service organizations, as well as community volunteers.

I was awarded the "Lifetime Service Award" for my contribution of over 10,000 hours of lifetime volunteer duty for the many programs that I have worked as a volunteer.
There was a brief moment of silence when I stated, that I am not only a volunteer, but that I am paid... (silence)  I then stated, that I am paid in "smiles per hour" when I work as a Volunteer.

I have worked in so many volunteer jobs, with the United States Navy League, my own Astronomy Programs, Native American Community and Prisoners, and now as a Fire Lookout for the Forest Service... it is a great honor to accept this award and the recognition of my small contribution to the Nation.
Later in a tent beside the main podium,   U.S. Interior Assistant Secretary Lynn Scarlett and Deputy Chief of the Forest Service Chris Pyron, presented many of our Fire Lookout members a personal certificate of appreciation from the the Department of the Interior.

Lynn Scarlett stopped by our booth and she really enjoyed my old-time radio with Smoky Bear.

We had a great discussion about the roles of Volunteers not only in the Forest Service but in the National Park Service too.

With the award presentation done, the volunteers left to do the tasks around the four forests.
Every day, millions of Americans volunteer, using their time, talents, and compassion to make a difference in the lives of others. By mentoring a child, caring for an elderly neighbor, teaching someone to read, or bringing food and clothes to those who need them.

Americans have always volunteered, and are helping to foster a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility for generations to come. I believe it is through these acts of kindness and decency that we are able to demonstrate the true character and compassion of our country.

I am very thankful to the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation for this recognition.

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