Janice Buckley and retired Command Sgt. Major Herb Schmeling serve the Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) community as volunteers.

That's an understatement. They serve in ways many of us can only marvel at.

They make sustained and noticeable differences - from handing out boxes of cookies and care packages to providing emergency assistance and therapeutic services - in the lives of numerous local and state servicemembers and their families.

The actions of Buckley and Schmeling have been clearly noticed, clearly understood and, yes, clearly appreciated.

In honor of their service to the JBLM community and the surrounding area, both were inducted into JBLM's Civilian Hall of Fame on May 23.

When told of the honor, Schmeling and Buckley said they were humbled. "I am pretty down-to-earth," Buckley said.  "I am humbled to have been selected." Schmeling's sentiments were comparable. "I'm lucky to have been able to do what I've done.  I am honored."

Both pointed to 9/11 as the day in which their lives changed and led them to give of themselves.

As I sat and listened to these two quiet and well spoken individuals talk about their volunteerism, I was struck by their determination to serve servicemembers.

"I'm pretty good at this," Schmeling told me as we talked about his volunteer work with numerous organizations.  "I feel safe as a volunteer."

From that sense of safety, Schmeling has been a steadfast volunteer at literally hundreds of events designed to support Soldiers and their family members.

"I spent most of my life in the military," he said. "Volunteering is a way for me to be close to them.

From the Fisher House and the Survivor Outreach Service Office to the United Service Organization (USO) and the Captain Meriwether Lewis Chapter of the Association of the United States Army, Schmeling has contributed countless hours and money to help thousands of servicemembers and their family members.

Like many people who give of their time and efforts to others, Schmeling likes to deflect the impact of what he has done, does now, and will continue to do for Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Sailors.

"I am a common person doing common things for extraordinary people," he said.

When I reminded Schmeling that it is through his efforts that so many individuals have been helped, he paused for a moment and said, "Volunteering is not about what you do or for how long you do it," he said.  "It is an act of giving of yourself to help another."

The notion of making a gift of one's talents and time is at the core of Janice Buckley's efforts to serve servicemembers and their families. The founder and president of Heartbeat - Serving Wounded Warriors, Buckley traces her volunteer efforts back to 9/11.

The agency provides emergency assistance, therapeutic services, support groups and morale-building programs for wounded service members and their families in Washington State.

Warming up to her admiration and love for this nation's servicemembers, Buckley said that 9/11 galvanized her to read and learn all she could about the military. "After 9/11 I began to read, watch and learn everything I could about the military," Buckley said. "I have a passion for the most courageous families in the world - the U.S. military."

She pointed out that Charlie Beckwith's book, Delta Force, allowed her to focus her passion for creating Heartbeat - Serving Wounded Warriors to help injured warriors and their families.

"I have been overwhelmed by listening to the warriors and their families.  I have heard their courage, and serving them has been most rewarding to me," Buckley said.

"That date triggered my efforts," she said quietly. "Watching our young men and women and their families serve this country with courage and integrity was and is pivotal for me."

Buckley was quick to point out that donors to her organizations are vital to her efforts.  "It takes more than one person to do all of this; I am so thankful for those who help out," she said. "This country owes our servicemembers everything - you are the plumb line of excellence in every area because you visibly live with honor, courage, integrity and respect."

That last line equally applies to retired CSM Herb Schmeling and Janice Buckley.

Congratulations.