Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Air Guard member receives presidential award for volunteerism By Master Sgt. Greg Rudl
                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.*
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course
 By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith,
  38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise
 By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry,
  Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska
 By 156th Wing
  More
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course Guard News • 5 hours ago
 38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise Guard News • 12 hours ago
 Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska Guard News • 13 hours ago
 Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 2024 (196)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil