It was a mixture of heartfelt emotions and tearful sentiments as Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) and the American Red Cross (ARC) recognized one of their own.

Joyce Berry, American Red Cross Volunteer Coordinator, retired from NHB after seven years as the ARC volunteer coordinator with more than 51 years working and volunteering as a nurse and ARC member.

"I will miss coming into work here at Naval Hospital Bremerton because it is truly like a home away from home. Everyone here from the volunteers to the staff are like family to me," said Berry. "The whole reason for becoming a volunteer coordinator is for the volunteers. It is the volunteers that continually inspire the drive and passion I have for helping and giving back to the community."

Prior to working with Naval Hospital Bremerton, Berry was an ARC volunteer nurse for twelve years that included teaching Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) classes to those undergoing the process of becoming a Red Cross volunteer.

Capt. Christopher Quarles, Naval Hospital Bremerton commanding officer, stated that "Nobody exemplifies the volunteer spirit like Joyce does. She has a willingness to jump right in and assist the volunteers in helping care for patients."

After being asked what inspired her to become the volunteer coordinator, Berry exclaimed that after 51 years as a nurse, her passion to help others is what motivated her. The hours can pile on, not only working at NHB but also in the surrounding community. But that is just something she understands is part of what the ARC does in supporting others, especially those in need.

"The hours of a volunteer coordinator doing outreach projects with the community all depend on the time of year. During the summertime they can even range from eight hours per week to as much as 70 hours. I'm in the office approximately 20 hours per week," said Berry.

According to Berry, as the volunteer coordinator she was responsible for such duties as enrolling a prospective volunteer, but also assisting them in job placement, and tracking their hours. When she first became a part of the Naval Hospital family, she helped out in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department assisting in delivering babies for four years, an abrupt change from her former position.

"It was a different and welcomed change in pace from working at the San Jose Jail in California," admits Berry when asked how she liked the switch from working with inmates to delivering babies. "The quality and work of the volunteers on staff is the most gratifying, along with the closeness and familial environment the hospital provide."

For approximately six years Berry worked at the San Jose Jail giving care to the inmates there.

"You have to be a pretty strong and open minded individual to work at a jail," said Berry. "It was not an easy to task to achieve because you really have to put your own opinions aside in order to give them the care they need."

"I will miss having such an amazing friend around the hospital, I will miss seeing Joyce's joy and smile every morning," shared Magda Krall, ARC volunteer.

In closing, Berry stated that she has truly enjoyed her time as a volunteer nurse for the American Red Cross. She also said that she will treasure her time she shared with the staff and volunteers at NHB.

For more news from Naval Hospital Bremerton, visit www.navy.mil/.