President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Gary Hall when he arrives at Travis Air Force Base, California, on Thursday, July 17, 2008.  Hall, a master sergeant in the United States Air Force stationed at Travis Air Force Base, is a volunteer with the Suisun City Fire Department. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush honors a local volunteer when he travels throughout the United States.  He has met with more than 650 volunteers, like Hall, since March 2002. 

Hall has been a volunteer firefighter for nine years. He currently serves with the Suisun City Fire Department where he volunteers more than 30 hours per week. Hall assisted in the containment of the San Diego County Witch Creek Fire, the largest of the October 2007 wildfires which consumed 197,990 acres.  This year he helped fight the Summit fire in the Santa Cruz Mountains and numerous smaller local fires. In June 2008, Hall was part of the volunteer Emergency Medical Technician Defibrillation fire crew who administered life-saving treatment to a one-year-old girl who was a drowning victim.  In addition, Hall serves as an Assistant Instructor for the 349th Medical Group's Emergency Medical Technician and Post Hospital Trauma Life Support programs.  He also serves as the President of the Suisun City Firefighters Association and is responsible for the Firefighter Association Crab Feed Fundraiser, Fire Prevention Week activities, and the annual Christmas Toys for Kids Program.

In his January 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush called on all Americans to make a difference in their communities through volunteer service. He created USA Freedom Corps, an Office of the White House, to strengthen and expand volunteer service. Americans are responding to the President’s Call to Service. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 61 million Americans volunteered in 2006. Go to www.volunteer.gov or call 1-877-USA-CORPS to find an existing volunteer service opportunity in your area or to find more information about service programs, including national service programs such as the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Citizen Corps. USA Freedom Corps is also highlighting youth volunteer service. Visit www.volunteerkids.gov for games and ideas designed to show how America's youth are making a difference.

The President's Volunteer Service Award was created at the President’s direction by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. The Award is available to youth ages 14 and under who have completed 50 or more hours of volunteer service; to individuals 15 and older who have completed 100 or more hours; and to families or groups who have completed 200 or more hours. For more information about the Award, please visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

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