Volunteers enjoyed a game of volleyball at Monday's volunteer picnic at the Tactical Sportsman's Complex. Photo by Charmain Z. Brackett With a light breeze, clear blue sky and pleasant temperatures, Monday was an optimal day for a picnic.

“The weather is perfect when you put the chaplains in charge,” Lynn Harshman said and laughed.

The first of two events during national volunteer month, the picnic at the Tactical Sportsman’s Complex was designed to celebrate many of Fort Gordon’s hundreds of volunteers, said Harshman, who is Fort Gordon’s volunteer coordinator. The National Volunteer Week Command Program will be held on April 20, 1:30 p.m., in Alexander Hall. There will be speakers, award presentations, displays and a cake cutting.

The picnic featured a traditional Southern menu of fried chicken, potato salad and sweet tea and a slate of traditional activities such as horseshoes, tug-of-war and volleyball – with the Macarena thrown in for good measure.

Col. Glenn Kennedy, Fort Gordon’s garrison commander, joined Monday’s festivities and voiced Fort Gordon’s gratitude for those who give of themselves for the benefit of the Soldiers and families on the installation.

“Volunteers are an integral part of our community. This is just our way of showing appreciation to them. We wouldn’t be able to operate without them,” he said.

Harshman said they’d prepared food for about 300 people. By having two events for volunteers, including one which was more relaxed and informal than a luncheon at the Gordon Club with a big cake and certificates of appreciation, the goal was to bring in other volunteers who wouldn’t usually attend the latter event.

And according to Harshman, the plan worked.

“I’ve see so many others I’ve never met before. They work at the autocraft shop and with the game wardens and sports complex,” said Harshman, who has been the volun-