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                         May 2, 2003

By Kathy Eastwood
Staff Writer

(Left to Right) -- Red Cross director Markgetta Langford, Superintendent Lt. Gen. William J. Lennox Jr. and volunteer coordinator Joy Swanson hold the ‘check’ for $2,752.308 dollars representing the amount that would have been paid for 256,257 volunteer hours.

 West Point held its annual volunteer recognition ceremony April 24 at the West Point Club here. The event honored the important work and dedication of community volunteers.

"It is so humbling when these volunteers turn in their hours," said Joy Swanson, Installation Volunteer Coordinator. "Many volunteer more than 20 hours a week consistently which represents hundreds and hundreds of dollars."

Swanson recognized Markgetta Langford, the Red Cross director, for the thousands of hours she has volunteered over the last few years.

"Markgetta is leaving us next year and she will be missed," she said. "She not only handled the Red Cross, but she can be seen almost everywhere help is needed."

A check in the amount of $2,752.308, representing 256,257 hours of volunteer time, was presented to Superintendent Lt. Gen. William J. Lennox. The check symbolizes the cost to the academy if they had to pay workers.

Tony Brown, Director of Community and Family Activities spoke about the beauty of volunteerism.

"I was at Buffalo Soldier Field the other day and saw a bald eagle sitting in the middle of the field," Brown said. "It took off and soared and as I watched it soar, I thought it was such a beautiful sight to see.

"As I look around this room I also see beauty," he continued. "Volunteerism is a thing of beauty. The spirit of volunteerism is the cornerstone of what makes the USMA great."