Guam sailors get President’s Volunteer Service Award

HAGATNA, Guam—Coastal Riverine Group 1 Detachment Guam was recognized for its community service during a Presidential Volunteer Service Award Presentation Ceremony at the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor’s Complex in Hagatna on May 7.

CRG-1 Det. Guam is the only Navy command to be awarded the Presidential Volunteer Service Award gold level by completing more than 2,000 hours of community service from March 2014 to March 2015.

Guam Lt. Gov. Ray Tenorio presents the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Cmdr. Robert Smith, officer-in-charge, Coastal Riverine Group 1 Det. Guam during a ceremony at the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor’s Complex in Hagatña, Guam. (Contributed Photo)

Guam Lt. Gov. Ray Tenorio congratulates Master-at-Arms 1st Class (EXW) Jennifer Andrews, Coastal Riverine Group (CRG) 1 Det. Guam, upon receiving the President’s Volunteer Service Award. (Contributed Photo)

Coastal Riverine Group 1 Det. Guam and Guam Lt. Gov. Ray Tenorio pose for photo during an award ceremony at the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor’s Complex in Hagatna on May 7. (Contributed Photo)

Command sailors participated in various community service activities such as beach cleanups, building homes for Habitat for Humanity, painting village bus stops, and teaching children to play various sports.

Cmdr. Robert Smith, officer-in-charge, CRG-1 Det. Guam, said he was proud of the sailors under his command.

“It helps them professionally because it teaches them skill sets they wouldn’t necessarily have gotten this early in their command,” he said. “By the same token it also gets out there and shows the community that we are here to help, we want to help and that this is our home too.”

Guam Lt. Gov. Ray Tenorio presented Smith and six sailors the award.

“No matter what the medal or the award, it is the sentiment behind it that really matters,” Tenorio said. “We thank you for your dedication and your contributions you make for our island. But more than anything else we thank you for being great Americans.”

Each sailor received a medal for completing hundreds of hours of service.

Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (EXW) Christina Deleon was awarded the silver medal for volunteering more than 175 hours of community service.

“I think it’s a great thing for us being in a military organization to get involved with our new community,” she said. “I just love helping people and it feels great to do something for the community.”

Deleon said she did not expect to get recognition for volunteering, but said she loves to volunteer to raise cancer awareness because her sister is a cancer survivor.

The six sailors who were awarded medals are Master-at-Arms 1st Class (EXW) Jennifer Andrews, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Alexis High, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (EXW/SW) Jose Velasquez, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (EXW) Emmanuel Ubiera, Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Emilee Enos and Deleon. (Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs Office)