If you can do something for others, do it.
After NAS Whiting Field received a pair of Flagship Awards for community service and environmental stewardship as well as the USS Bainbridge Award, the top command honor for community service, Aviation Boatswain's Mate First Class David Hernandez received the Margaret Flowers community service award, February 25, at New World Landing in Pensacola.
According to Whiting Field Public Information Officer Jay Cope, in addition to participating in 26 individual community service events and accumulating more than 300 hours of community service, Hernandez also served as the command's volunteer coordinator establishing 30 new volunteer partnerships within Santa Rosa County.
"Petty Officer Hernandez's dedication to the community is an inspiration to the command," NAS Whiting Field Commanding Officer Capt. Todd Bahlau said. "He has set the example across Navy Region Southeast through his unwavering commitment to the community and his constant participation in volunteer activities."
While he was surprised to win the award, Hernandez knew he was nominated (along with 16 others) and so prepared a speech for the award he received at New World Landing in Pensacola.
In a part of his speech, Hernandez wrote, “It is a true and humbling honor to represent NAS Whiting Field, its personnel and the community service program. I am grateful to the Pensacola Navy League and Margaret Flowers for my selection of the Navy League Margret Flowers Civic Award. This is absolutely a great and positive moment in my life. Margaret Flowers, thank you for setting the pace and making the path for us as volunteers to follow and to help us make paths for others as well so that the communities and its youth may benefit from what we have to offer as helpers.”
Hernandez said he leans toward helping youth and veterans in his volunteer work. He noted he has events coming up at Bagdad Elementary and S.S. Dixon School setting up and breaking down events for them. April 2, Hernandez and a crew will be at the home of former Navy League Santa Rosa Council Representative Walter Reese, in East Milton, helping to clean up his property after recent storm damage.
Hernandez grew up in San Antonio, Texas and joined the Navy in 2008. He said, “I grew up in an environment that I learned from very young, if there is something I can do for others, I should do it. I use that as my foundation. Of course any time I do receive a phone call from anywhere, whether school, library, or food bank, I’m always glad to help.”
The Navy strongly encourages its sailors to volunteer in the community, Hernandez said. Before coming to Whiting Field, he said he volunteered with the Humane Society in San Diego as well as Everett, Washington. “When I arrived at Whiting Field, the opportunity came up to be the volunteer coordinator. I immediately and proudly took that position…I take a lot of pleasure in going out and helping any of those who reach out to Whiting Field for help for any event.”
Hernandez did not point to any one particular reason he feels so strongly about community service, something he’s taken a part in since his time with Lockheed Martin working with Habitat for Humanity and local area food banks. “I’ve always been the type to want to give back to the community, to those less fortunate, to those in need.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: A Servant’s Heart: Naval Air Station Whiting Field sailor earns top honor for community service