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 CounterDrug Guardsman gets revved up for motorcycle safety By Tech. Sgt. Cheryl Hackley
                National Guard Bureau
 ARLINGTON, Va. - An Air National Guard member was among seven servicemembers who received USA Freedom Corps President's Volunteer Service Awards through the Military Volunteer Recognition Initiative in a ceremony at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building May 16. Master Sgt. Tammy Caban, assigned to the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Va., for the past 14 years, was the Guard winner. Caban, 41, has volunteered with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) since 2004, providing grief assistance to families who have lost a loved one serving the military. She also volunteers to help patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. "It's no about volunteering, it's about service, it just seems like the right thing to do," said Caban about the countless hours she's put into helping others. "It's the least that I could do. I wish I could more. It comes from my heart, so I don't think about the time it takes," she said. Caban involvement in TAPS includes helping 5- and 6-year-olds write letters to deceased loved ones, like a father who never returned from the War on Terrorism. "The first thing you do is let them know that you're there for them "¦ even if they want to talk about it or not," said Caban. "They really can't write on their own, so you're sitting with them "¦ on your lap or next to them and they're telling you their stories." These letters, written on tissue paper, are tied to balloons and then "released to their loved ones in heaven," she said. Caban won't be able to continue with TAPS this year because she is receiving chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer. "It broke my heart because I won't be there for those kids. I know that some of those kids that have looked for me every year will look for me again this year," she said. At Walter Reed, she volunteered through Comfort for America's Uniformed Services (CAUSE) over the past year and a half at the Mologne House, a long-term rehabilitative in-patient treatment center there. Caban spends one or two Friday nights per month in the lending library where she helps patients and their family members check out books, DVDs and video games. "I do that not so much as to help them, but to honor them," she said. "They're grateful that someone has given up their Friday night so that they can check out a DVD or video game." Caban said her first volunteer stint took place in high school when she baby sat pro bono and also assisted Special Olympians. Wil O'Neal, Caban's boyfriend for almost three years, said that his girlfriend's volunteerism is contagious. "I volunteered for the TAPS program last year "¦ we both volunteer for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and the Lance Armstrong Foundation's LIVESTRONG," he said. Caban may have caught the volunteer bug from her parents, who are retired active-duty reservists who now volunteer all over the country. Her father George attended the ceremony, among about 30 family, friends and coworkers of award recipients. The retired DC Guard combat communications specialist now lives in Vermont and works with the 158th Fighter Wing's Family Support Group, helping out at going away and welcome home ceremonies for units throughout the state. He also helped to rebuild on the Gulf Coast after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, bringing a church youth group there as well. Caban's advice for those who would like to volunteer but who feel their packed schedules won't allow it"”start small: "Volunteer for one event a year, whether it be one hour or several. The rewards you'll get back are immeasurable. The time you've lost to your personal schedule is nothing compared to what you'll get back." President George W. Bush created USA Freedom Corps to build on the countless acts of service, sacrifice and generosity that followed the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. In January 2003, the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation was established as an initiative of USA Freedom Corps. Administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the council strives to promote and recognize outstanding volunteer service and raise awareness of the many ways in which Americans can help meet the vital needs of individuals within their communities and around the world. The four other National Guard finalists were: Master Sgt. Lejon M. Boudreaux (California); Tech. Sgt. Sandra L. Pinkerton (Ohio); Col. Bruce W. Prunk (Oregon); and Senior Master Sgt. Ernest D. Rodriguez (New Mexico) National Guard Bureau Public Affairs administered the award and received 55 nominations from Air and Army National Guard service members. *Note: Reporting by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam M. Stump was used in this story.*
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