Photo by Sharon Taylor Conway Ethel Kulhanek (left) and Theresa Peele are residents of Knollwood Army Retirement Community who volunteer at WRAMC.

Sixty-two individuals volunteered more than 250 hours, with 11 of those volunteering over 500 volunteer hours at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC).

James Arena, director of strategic and intergovernmental operations White House Liaison for volunteer community service, presented the Presidential Gold, Silver and Bronze awards to the sacrificing individuals and groups.

Maj. Gen. Carla G. Hawley-Bowland, commander of the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command (NARMC) and WRAMC told the group that volunteers have played a big part in her career.

ìWhen I was an obstetrician/gynecologist back at William Beaumont Army Medical Center as well as at Fort Hood, Texas, if I didnít have the volunteers augmenting my nurses and playing as chaperones I wouldíve never made it through my clinic.î

Hawley-Bowland thanked the group for their time and commitment. She said that Walter Reed has more than 1,200 registered volunteers who have donated more than 75,000 hours of hard work and dedication.

Denis Neill, co-founder of the non-profit Yellow Ribbon Fund organization, racked up more than 500 of those hours managing the Mologne House courtyard project. More than 10,000 feet of patio walkway was installed in the area between the Mologne House and the hospital. The project added four outdoor barbeque pits and two large fireplaces for WRAMC patients and their Families to enjoy.

Yellow Ribbon Fund volunteer Rebecca Perl said that she began volunteering three years ago, ìAfter we knew our son had decided to go into the military, we wanted to find a way to help ó volunteering is easier than being employed for the effort because of the schedule flexibility.î Perlís son recently deployed to Iraq.

Also recognized at the luncheon was Ethel Kulhanek, a resident of Knollwood Army Retirement Community. Kulhanek entered the Army in 1942 among the first group of women to serve in the Womenís Army Auxilary Corp.

Kulhanek has volunteered at Walter Reed for more than 57 years. She currently serves in the Department of Gynecology. ìWhatever they need me to do, I do,î she said.

Volunteering at Walter Reed is a family affair for British nationals Sara Jane Dennis and her husband Lt. Col. Andrew Dennis, a liaison officer for the British Ministry of Defence Staff at the Pentagon. Sara Jane began volunteering at WRAMC in 2006 as a part of the Comfort for Americaís Uniformed Services (Cause) organization.

ìShe enlisted me to do all the heavy lifting,î said Andrew, who now runs the video library and video game tournament at the Mologne House and coordinates viewings of the Ultimate Fight Championships.

Thirty-year WRAMC volunteer and retiree Callie Rountrie recruited her walking buddies to join her in service at Walter Reed. The group completes a regular four-mile walk around the Coolidge High School track.

ìShe walked and talked and got us in here,î said her pal Alberta Bryant, as Lundoll Fuller and Sara Hughes nodded in agreement. Sharing the table with Rountrie and her walking pals was Isabelle Sanchez Tintenier, whose father serviced in the Army 44 years.

ìI feel itís my duty,î said Sanchez Tintenier, who volunteers 80 hours a month on Ward 57. ìItís nice to say thank you to the country. Ward 57 is my family.î

Thoma Greschel said she began volunteering two years at in WRAMCís occupational health department after she realized, ìIím keeping all my time to myself, Iím not giving back,î before. Greschel said now, ìIím doing something to support our troops.î

ìWeíre appreciative of all that youíve done here at Walter Reed ó (for) our patients, our soldiers, also our staff ó in making our very important mission a successful one,î said Stephen Brooks deputy garrison commander.