Top volunteers recognized Published May 7, 2008 By Susan Griggs Keesler News Staff KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- Keesler and Biloxi held volunteer recognition ceremonies recently to honor individuals who contributed time and energy to improve their communities. Capt. Michael Wrey earned special distinction as Biloxi's military volunteer of the year, as well as one of two Keesler nominees for the Very Important Patriot Award given by the National Military Family Association. Gretchen Gorline and Shawn Mosby received the Air Force Volunteer Excellence Award. The honor, established by the Air Force chief of staff, recognizes federal civilians, family members and military and federal retirees who perform outstanding volunteer community service of a sustained, direct and consequential nature. Captain Wrey, 334th Training Squadron, and Staff Sgt. Veronica Bird, 335th TRS, are Keesler's VIP nominees. The award honors exceptional volunteer military members and their dependents, retirees and survivors who have improved the quality of life on their base or in neighboring communities. Mrs. Gorline, president of the Keesler Spouses Club, is married to Chaplain (Capt.) Jeremy Gorline. The Gorlines have been stationed at Keesler four years. In addition to KSC duties, Mrs. Gorline leads a nondenominational Bible study group and organized a playgroup for mothers of preschoolers. She's a runner who most recently participated in a half-marathon to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She was also recognized for a variety of service projects in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Mr. Mosby is president of Keesler's youth program, TRAIL - Training Responsible Adolescents in Leadership. He makes phone calls to remind teens about meetings and special events, designs posters and flyers and assisted with the October Teen Job Expo. As a volunteer, Mosby attended training and workshops for paid staff and contributed more than 250 hour for the summer camp program. He also assisted with skating parties, open recreation sewing and cooking clubs and 4-H projects. He's been involved with Angel Food distribution missions to provide groceries to needy families. Captain Wrey has been involved a variety of worthy causes, including the Gulf Coast Women's Center for Nonviolence, Biloxi Main Street Organization, Biloxi Seafood Festival, American Heart Association, American Breast Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity, Boys and Girls Club of Jackson and George Counties and Biloxi Veterans Association. The captain participated in squadron holiday parties and was involved in the base's Angel Tree program. He initiated a drive to support the 38rth Expeditionary Medical Group's battle injury program to provide flags directly to combat wounded. He also orchestrated a blood drive that collected more than 80 units of blood for the Armed Services Blood Program. Additionally, he was involved in the Air Force Sergeants Association Operation Not Forgotten at the Biloxi Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Sergeant Bird, a weather training instructor, contributed 450 hours of volunteer service over the past year. She served her squadron as a income tax assistance representative and led a team of 35 members who worked on seven area landscaping projects for Make a Difference Day. A Rising VI member, she was a science fair judge at a Biloxi elementary school, a Toys for Tots team member and instructor for an American Red Cross babysitting class. She led a squadron children's clothing drive for an orphanage in Kyrgyzstan. She planned three unit fundraisers, was involved in a holiday dessert project for Keesler students, and organized a squadron potluck Easter egg hunt and bowling fundraiser. She also facilitated a program for 30 volunteers to replace the state flags along Larcher Boulevard.