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MCCS Okinawa recognized the contributions of these volunteers during the 9th-Annual MCCS Volunteer Appreciation Dinner April 19 at the Butler Officers' Club.

"Without volunteers, we wouldn't be able to run our programs effectively," said Carlos Saldana, the chief human resources officer for MCCS Okinawa. "And in some cases, we wouldn't be able to run them at all."

One of those honored at the dinner was retired Navy pilot Lt. Cmdr. Larry Alsop, the director for retired activities at the MCCS Personal Services Center, who served in the military for 22 years. Over the past 20 years, he has volunteered for several military retiree organizations and currently helps retirees and their families in Okinawa receive all the benefits they are eligible for, Alsop said.

"People say to me 'why do you do all this and don't get paid for it?'" he said. "But I do get paid for it, with two words: 'thank you.' When you get a thank you, you know you've done your job."

Guest speaker Maj. Gen. Mary Ann Krusa-Dossin, commanding general of Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, gave Alsop a thank you message from President George W. Bush during the dinner in the form of a President's Call to Service Award for his more than 4,000 hours of volunteer service.

MCCS leaders also paid tribute to volunteer standout retired Master Gunnery Sgt. William Killian who passed away December 7. Killian was also the recipient of the President's Call to Service Award that night. Killian's wife, Akiko, accepted the award on her husband's behalf. Killian worked alongside Alsop assisting retirees and their families with military benefits. He worked for MCCS for 17 years and along with Alsop was one of the most senior volunteers.

During the recognition ceremony, Krusa-Dossin presented the President's Volunteer Service Award to 21 volunteers who each donated more than 100 hours of volunteer service. She also presented certificates of recognition to 79 volunteers for their efforts.

"I am privileged to stand before all of you who unhesitatingly give so much," Krusa-Dossin said. "Thank you for your unwavering service to your country, to our Marine Corps, and ... to our family."