 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||
|
|
 Previous: Political Maneuver Dims Chances for Arizona Ham Radio Antenna Legislation |  Next: ARDF Update: Trophies Await at USA's First Blind ARDF Championships |
President George W. Bush greets Randy Hatfield, AG6RH, after presenting him with the President's Volunteer Service Award pin. [White House Photo]
NEWINGTON, CT, Apr 13, 2007 -- President George W. Bush has honored ARRL member Randy Hatfield, AG6RH, of Victorville, California, with the President's Volunteer Service Award. A volunteer with the City of Victorville Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Emergency Communication Service, Hatfield met briefly with the president April 4 to receive the award. President Bush honors local volunteers as he travels throughout the United States. When a call came from the White House, Hatfield at first thought he was the victim of an April Fool's Day prank by ECS Coordinator Robert Barton, W7OES, who nominated Hatfield for the award a few days earlier.
"Friday, March 30, I was contacted by a woman saying she was calling from the White House, and I was interviewed over the phone," Hatfield recounted. "I thought Robert was pulling a very elaborate joke!"
A year earlier, Hatfield had volunteered to help Barton rebuild the ham radio communication group for ECS. "He didn't really know me that well but decided to give me a shot," Hatfield said of Barton. "I told him I would do everything I could to assist him in getting ECS going. My condition was that I not be made a leader of anything. I was to remain in the background." Barton, in turn, believed Hatfield should be recognized for his successful efforts.
On April 1, Hatfield got another call from the same White House staff member telling him he'd won a Presidential Service Award. "I was nice to her and played along but knew this was a prank," he says. Nonetheless, he went to the airport meeting place at the appointed hour on April 4 and learned it was for real.
Hatfield greeted the president as he disembarked from Air Force One. President Bush shook Hatfield's hand and presented him with an award pin. Then, they chatted for a few minutes while photos were taken. He'll receive the official award document and a signed photo of their meeting in a couple of weeks.
"I'm supposed to be the behind-the-scenes guy," protested Hatfield, who has logged more than 500 hours of volunteer service over the past 12 months.
The award recognizes his volunteer work with CERT, a Citizen Corps program that trains volunteers in basic response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue and disaster preparedness. In his volunteer work with ECS, which uses Amateur Radio volunteers to assist city and county personnel in the event of a disaster or emergency, Hatfield has taught ham radio classes to community members. Over the years, Hatfield estimates, he's helped some 350 individuals to get their ham radio tickets.
Hatfield says he and his wife have been active with the Victorville CERT and ECS for a little more than a year. The couple had been involved in CERT previously when they lived in Marysville, Washington.
In his nomination letter, Barton praised Hatfield for inspiring others by example to also volunteer their time and receive CERT and Amateur Radio training.
"His classes provide hands on and practical applications to the materials taught," Barton said. "A recent graduate of our Technician ham class, a city councilman, praised Randy's ability to hold the class's attention and provide a great course."
"Randy has made service to his community a priority in life by volunteering his time and talents," Barton concluded. "He is always there when needed to provide support and resources to accomplish any task requested."
| Previous: Political Maneuver Dims Chances for Arizona Ham Radio Antenna Legislation | Next: ARDF Update: Trophies Await at USA's First Blind ARDF Championships |
