Photo by Bonnie Heater ( Above) Volunteer Soldiers from Company D, 369th Signal Battalion offer their assistance during prep day to bring in donated items and set up displays in the Fort Gordon Swap and Assist Shop. The Swap and Assist Shop is open to military members, retirees and their Families 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays. Military members in the rank of E-4 and below can pick up items needed for their Families for free and other individuals can trade an item of equal value. Gently used military uniforms, baby clothing, and various household items are some of the goods featured at the shop. (Below) A young volunteer Soldier dances with a senior citizen at the Seniors Valentine's Day Dinner and Dance held Feb. 9 at Julian Smith Casino in Augusta. At this year's Association of the U.S. Army Conference in Washington, D.C, Secretary of the Army Peter Geren announced 2009 as "The Year of the Noncommissioned Officers."

This is a time designated not only for the military, but the nation to stop and reflect on and appreciate the qualities of the brave men and women who make up the backbone of our all volunteer force today.They not only train our young Soldiers, but during their off-duty time you will find them in the local communities lending a helping hand where it's needed.

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rodolfo Fuentes Recently Soldiers from Fort Gordon took time to make a difference in the local community. Members of Company C, 551st Signal Battalion brought Valentine's Day cards, candy and personally thanked each veteran for their service Feb. 7 at the Georgia War Veteran's Nursing Home in Augusta. Another group danced with local seniors from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Seniors Valentine's Day Dinner and Dance held at Julian Smith Casino in Augusta.Volunteer Soldiers of Company D, 369th Signal Battalion offered their assistance during prep day, held on Wednesdays to bring in donated items and set up displays at the Fort Gordon Swap and Assist Shop, Building 39101, located at Brems Barracks area behind the Post Exchange. The shop is open to all military, retirees and their Families from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Thursday.

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rodolfo Fuentes ( Above) Soldiers from Company C, 551st Signal Battalion dance with seniors Feb. 9 at Julian Smith Casino in downtown Augusta. (Below) Sgt. Maj. Victor Fernandez, one of the senior advisors for the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club at Fort Gordon, and Pvt. Kevin Mathis ( on the right) from Company D, 369th Signal Battalion, offer their assistance to Ruth Chandler, the Swap and Assist Shop manager, by bringing a donated washer into the shop Feb. 11. Photo by Bonnie Heater Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rodolfo Fuentes (Above) George Elmore, a resident of the Georgia War Veteran's Nursing Home in Augusta, enjoys a surprise visit Feb. 7 by Col. Charles Schrader, 551st Signal Battalion commander and a young toddler. Joining him is the daughter of Virginia Hindbaugh who is the 551st Family Readiness Group coordinator/leader. The Valentine's Day visit by 551st Sig. Bn. members provided lots of cards, candy and bookmarks for the veterans. (Right) Charles Jasper, (seated in the chair), a resident of the Georgia War Veteran's Nursing Home, and 1st Sgt. Sergeant Jonathan Schein, 551st Signal Battalion's first sergeant, share stories and laugh about their military experiences. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rodolfo Fuentes