MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- Captain George Hull, commanding officer, Naval Dental Center, and Retired Master Chief Robert Bible, community manger for Tri-Command Military Housing, were honored at the 2004 CIVITAS Awards for business excellence that took place at the Dataw Island Club April 3.
The CIVITAS awards are presented by the Greater Beaufort Chamber of Commerce annually to members of the community who illustrate the success of business and spirit of the community.
Two categories emblematic of the community spirit are the Military Officer Leadership Award and the Enlisted Leadership Award.
The two winners were nominated for charity in their communities ranging from participation in the Adopt-a-High-way program, to judging science fairs.
In winning the awards, these men were deemed "exemplary in our community."
"It is always a well-done program," said Hull. "I know what it takes to get the award, and it is very competitive."
Neither of this year's winners expected to be nominated, and both were surprised when they discovered their appointments.
"I thought the awards only applied to active-duty personnel, but the Chamber of Commerce invited me to come for a free dinner, and I was going to accept," said Bible.
The nominees were selected by what they had accomplished during the course of 2003, and though they were flattered by the recognition, both men remained humbled.
"I was surprised and honored," said Bible. "The military does so much for Beaufort and while we are all actively involved and engaged in the community, those activities are not limited to what goes on behind the gates."
The outward focus of the two winners allowed them to constantly develop influential relationships within the community.
"I am in a position where I can really tout the community, and get people out there," said Hull, who takes comfort in the fact that he can get people out into the community and make an impact. All of these efforts led to the anonymous nominations.
"I was very pleased and I don't take it lightly," he said. "It is absolutely wonderful to be recognized in the community. I know a lot of the people who were nominated for awards."
Knowing the contributions of some of the other nominees and the people who have won before, left Hull feeling humbled by the whole experience.
"[Helen] Harvey has done so much for the community and [W.R.] 'Skeet' Von Harten's name has been in the paper for as long as I can remember," said Hull. "He has always been involved and active in the community. To be on the stage with people of that caliber, it was a head rush."
Hull's Beaufort experience has left him with a strong sense of community. He found his wife here and considers this his permanent home.
He knows that his home and his military career are intertwined and when he leaves, he wants it to be a better place for his being here.
That feeling of community pride and belonging is something that Bible can also relate to, as he is also a permanent resident of the place where he served.
"It instills pride when you wear the uniform, that your service is making it better," said Bible. "The military is a great character builder. I am honored to have been a part of it for 30 years, that spirit in the community isn't something that you find a lot in the civilian sector."