Thursday, January 13, 2011

Barack Obama recognized me today!

No, I wasn’t in Tucson or Washington DC, but right here, as usual, at Anahuac NWR.  At noon, refuge staff and fellow volunteers met at a local restaurant for my farewell lunch.  I thought that the best part of this luncheon was going to be that I didn’t have to pay for my lunch.  :)  I was wrong, though.  After we finished eating, Stephanie got up to officially thank me for my work here this year.

IMG_8507 Since I’m in between thousand hour milestones with the National Wildlife Refuge system,  I only expected a card and a thank you.  But there was more;  a nice insulated stainless steel mug for my ice water, and…

IMG_8511a letter, pin, and certificate from the President of the United States of America!   I have been awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award.  I thank you, Mr. President, on behalf of all of us volunteers out here on the road, for recognizing the importance of what we try to do.

 

I am very proud of my almost 3,500 volunteer hours with the National Wildlife Refuges of my country.  I’ve had various accomplishments in my life, but this one ranks right up there near the top, and has a place very close to my heart.  I’m thinking I may even wear that pin on my pj’s tonight!  :)  Hoowah!!

 

Thanks for stopping by…. talk to you later,  Judy

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38 comments:

  1. GypsyJanuary 13, 2011 at 6:39 PM

    Congratulations, Judy. You really have contributed a huge amount of hours! Volunteers save the taxpayers a whole lot of money, and keep the parks, forests, refuges open for the public. As a member of the taxpaying public and as a fellow volunteer, I appreciate your service!

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  2. dianaJanuary 13, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    Wow~ that's an amazing accomplishment, congratulations!

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  3. RobbieJanuary 13, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    Congratulations!!

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  4. JudiJanuary 13, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    A hearty CONGRATULATIONS!!

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  5. Paul and MaryJanuary 13, 2011 at 7:30 PM

    Congratulations....and Thank You!

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  6. RickJanuary 13, 2011 at 7:31 PM

    Congratulations! What a wonderful achievement and so nice to be recognized with a letter from the President of the United States. What a keepsake!!

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  7. ErinJanuary 13, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    Congratulations ... without volunteers the wildlife refuges and national parks would not be the same.

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  8. testJanuary 13, 2011 at 8:09 PM

    Congratulations and I am glad to see you have been recognized for all of your hours of service. Wear your pin proudly, and THANK YOU for your service.

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  9. Sue and DougJanuary 13, 2011 at 8:09 PM

    congratulations Judy!..quite the accomplishment and a letter from the White House to go along with it!!..good for you...way to go!!!

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  10. RV Khronicles of KevelynJanuary 13, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    Congratulations. It's a great feeling to volunteer, but it's always nice to be thanked. And by the President of the United States, no less. Wow!

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  11. Karyn-LeeJanuary 13, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    Bravo! Well done and well deserved.

    Thank you for all of us too!!!

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  12. Al BossenceJanuary 13, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    Oh Boy, just a few days ago you were trudging through soil units rubbing shoulders with Killdeer & Great Blue Herons & today you are being recognized by the President of The United States. Quite an accomplisment I would say....Congrats:))

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  13. LyniluJanuary 13, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    How nice is that? I volunteer, also, at a local charity, and I so appreciate the little things done to thank us for our work. It's so important to be noticed.

    Congratulations!

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  14. VeraJanuary 13, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    Congratulation Judy, that is a real accomplishment. I hope you will be able to volunteer for a long time to come. Good job!!

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  15. Jim and SandieJanuary 13, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    Judy, that is such a really great recognition for a volunteer who really deserves it. Congrats, girl.

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  16. Texas Yellow RoseJanuary 13, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    A very heartfelt congratulations! Well done!

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  17. Four Windows with a ViewJanuary 13, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Wow Judy, that's wonderful. You've also been a great bird teacher on your blog and the pictures...oh, the pictures.

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  18. UnknownJanuary 14, 2011 at 12:31 AM

    Judy, Congratulatons. You not only have made a difference at the sites you have volunteered but also in the lives of all your readers who follow along on your journeys .

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  19. UnknownJanuary 14, 2011 at 5:07 AM

    Judy, this is a wonderful acknowledgement of your service to our country. Congratulations!

    John
    relaxedrush.blogspot.com

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  20. Sam&Donna WeibelJanuary 14, 2011 at 7:02 AM

    Wow, Double wow, I was floored when I got something signed by the Governor of Mo. Congratulations on what is a significant honor, 3500 hours is quite a chunk. and the pin is beautiful. Glad to see you were recognized for a job well done.

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  21. KarenInTheWoodsJanuary 14, 2011 at 7:52 AM

    Ohhh you hit the big time now! Nice to be appreciated....

    We got a Christmas card from the White House for Steve (he is union president of the NE section of Wisconsin for the state employees. It was signed by Barack, Michelle, Maliah, Sasha and even BO with a tiny paw print! (of course photocopied from an orignal and reprinted on the cards) That is a KEEPER!

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/

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  22. AnonymousJanuary 14, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    Congrats Judy. I wish I could see your pin on your PJ's . We are in a really nice spot out in the desert you would love it here. Hope to see you here next year.

    Brenda Brown

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  23. Jerry and SuzyJanuary 14, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    A delightful honor, for a woman who delightfully has earned that honor! Ain't it great to be recognized for doing something you enjoy doing! Those who spend so many hours doing volunteer work make it good for the rest of us, and certainly cut down costs, as the work you do would have to be paid for or go undone without you! Thank you for your contribution to the greater good!

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  24. Janna and MikeJanuary 14, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    Way to go Judy, congratulations!

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  25. KerriJanuary 14, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    You deserve it! Congratulations!

    Kerri in AL :-)

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  26. Connie and RodJanuary 14, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    Congratulations Judy! That's a lot of hours you have put in. Thank you.
    --Rod

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  27. Luci & LoreeJanuary 14, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    What a HUGE thing!!! Thank you so!

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  28. AnonymousJanuary 14, 2011 at 1:13 PM

    Absolutely fabulous - an achievement to be proud of!

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  29. PhyllisJanuary 14, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    Now that's some reconization!

    My daughter got a Presidential Award for Academic Achievement back in elementary school six years ago, but sadly to say the certification wasn't signed by Mr. Obama!

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  30. Dennis and DonnaJanuary 14, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    What a thrill getting a letter of recognition from the President of the United States!! The stuff I do, I try NOT to be recognized!!! Seriously (as I can be) Congrats, Judy..you soooo deserve it...Did Emma hear from Beau??

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  31. pidgeJanuary 14, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    What a great honor Judy. You should be very proud of yourself. Once in a lifetime thing. Congrats!!

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  32. Chuck and Anneke's RV travelsJanuary 14, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    That is a lot of hours. congratulations and THANKS for your service!

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  33. John and AnnJanuary 14, 2011 at 7:13 PM

    Wow. You is famous!!! Congrats. And thank you for doing such a great job. Your work and your efforts help the rest of us and the animals/ birds associated with all the refuges where you volunteer. John and Ann

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  34. Carol KJanuary 14, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    Congratulations on putting in so many volunteer hours and for being recognized with the President's Volunteer Service Award. Hip hip hurray for Judy!

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  35. MerikayJanuary 14, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    You deserve to be recognized! Can you send him a bird picture?

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  36. meowmommaJanuary 14, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    That is really great! I had no idea you had volunteered so many hours! Congratulations on notice taken of a very worthwhile endeavor! And as Merikay said, it is certainly too bad that he can't have a moment or two to appreciate your wonderful photography as well!!!

    I hope the pin didn't stick you in the middle of the night..... =/

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  37. PetDocJanuary 15, 2011 at 7:04 PM

    You rock, Judy!!! I'm SOOOO proud of you! It's people like you who help make our country a great place to live. Keep it up, girl!!

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  38. Fred WishnieJanuary 15, 2011 at 7:46 PM

    Congratulations! That's quite an accomplishment. The parks wouldn't be what they are without your service. Thank You.

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