Keesler honors volunteers Published April 29, 2010 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Four base volunteers were honored for their accomplishments at Keesler's annual volunteer awards ceremony April 20. Lyle Crandall, Usa Jones, Marilyn Reid and Randy Yoran received Air Force Volunteer Excellence Awards for outstanding volunteer community service of a sustained, direct and consequential nature. Mr. Crandall, 81st Medical Operations Squadron, has been a volunteer firefighter with the Fort Bayou Volunteer Fire Department since 1996 and currently serves as chief. He's been recognized as the Jackson County and Ocean Springs Knights of Columbus firefighter of the year and received a medal of valor from the county firefighters association for rescuing three firefighters from a burning house. He was instrumental in design and construction of a new fire station, implemented 24-hour manning in the department and coordinated efforts to change the fire department's overall rating from a 10 to a 7, resulting in decreased homeowner insurance costs. Mrs. Jones, coordinates volunteer services for the 81st Medical Group. In her 29 years as a Keesler volunteer, she's trained 12 pharmacy volunteers and helps distribute more than 57,200 prescriptions to more than 44,000 beneficiaries each year. She's also volunteers in the women's health clinic. She works with the Kamp Kiwanis program for disabled children and raised funds for the Boys and Girls Club, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Ronald McDonald House. She's a member of Mississippi City United Methodist Church and Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Mrs. Reid manages Air-man's Attic, a project that offers household and clothing items for Keesler Airmen. She was responsible for decorating and renovating the facility, increasing the stock by 300 percent and initiated a food locker for families in need. She also volunteers at the Keesler Thrift Shop. She provided desserts for the 81st MDG Oktoberfest, home-cooked meals at Fisher House, and baked goods for nonprior service students and Keesler Spouses Club, 332nd Training Squadron and 81st Dental Squadron fundraisers. She raised funds for Project Cheer, volunteers with programs at Grace Presbyterian Church and led a recycling effort to offset costs for the Humane Society. Mr. Yoran, 81st Training Support Squadron, has volunteered with Feed My Sheep, El Pueblo, Sea Shore Mission, Loaves and Fishes, Homes of Grace, Red Bird missions, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Ocean Springs Youth Crusade. At Ocean Springs Middle School, he served as football equipment and instrument transportation coordinator, concession stand volunteer and school dance chaperone. At St. Paul United Methodist Church, he's a building trustee, men's ministry treasurer, junior youth ministry volunteer and maintains the children's computer lab. He built a new dais for the church and removed drywall, insulation and damaged carpet from an elderly couple's home.