Norfolk sailor among 7 military members honored by Bush

Seven military members, including a Norfolk sailor and two other service members based in Virginia, received the USA Freedom Corps President's Volunteer Service Awards in a ceremony Friday.

Petty Officer 1st Class Haneefah Collins, who is assigned to the Naval Computer and Telecommunication Area Master Station, Atlantic, in Norfolk, won the Navy award.

Collins volunteers as a Drug Education for Youth mentor and team leader, the Pentagon said.

The awards are given through the Military Volunteer Recognition Initiative. They were presented at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, adjacent to The White House.

"If you gave them the microphone, they would probably be the first to tell you they ride on the shoulders of others," said Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in honoring the recipients.

Each has brought lessons and character from their military service to their volunteer work, Cartwright said. "It's not likely to be something that's short-lived," he said. "It's something they're going to do for their whole life."

In addition to Collins, other award recipients are: 

• Sgt. Christopher Allias, from the 4th Quartermaster Detachment at Fort Richardson, Alaska, who was the Army recipient. Allias volunteered for his unit's family readiness group and for the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers organization as a driver for Airmen/Soldiers against Drunk Driving.

• Cpl. Sona Babani, of the Headquarters Service Battalion, Manpower Management, Separation and Retirement Branch at Quantico, Va., was the Marine recipient. Babani does most of her volunteer work for the Rappahannock Area Council for Children and Parents, in Fredericksburg, helping children who have abusive parents.

• Maj. Laird Abbott, of Headquarters Air Force A-9 at the Pentagon, was the Air Force recipient. For 20 years, Abbott has been a volunteer firefighter for five different fire departments.

• Chief Warrant Officer Lionel Bryant, Imagery Branch chief at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington was the Coast Guard recipient. Bryant is a football and basketball coach for at-risk children, teaching the game, as well as discipline and making positive choices.

• Air Force Master Sgt. Tammy Caban, assigned to the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, was the National Guard recipient. Caban has volunteered with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors 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.

• Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Rene Rubiella, from Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., was the reserve recipient. Rubiella is active in a religious program, Habitat for Humanity and his local soup kitchen.

In his January 2002 State of the Union Address, President George W. Bush called on all Americans to make a difference in their communities and across the globe through volunteer service. He created the 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.