YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea — Volunteers and soldiers were recognized Wednesday for a busy tax season that saved people an estimated $500,000 or more in tax form preparation fees.
About 5,000 clients used the Yongsan Tax Center in the Moyer Recreation Center, said Col. Timothy McNulty, 34th Support Group and Area II commander. About 3,000 federal and 1,100 state returns were filed, recovering about $4 million in refunds, he said.
“The Yongsan Tax Center personnel provided a quality tax service to eligible clients by maintaining long hours of operation,” McNulty said.
Numerous awards were given to soldiers and civilians at the tax center, some of whom volunteered their time.
Those receiving Army achievement medals included Capt. Bonnie L. Dunlop, Sgt. Jason Lowder, Sgt. Felicia Young, Staff Sgt. Tony Madero, Sgt. Rick Hemion, Sgt. Jonathan McAlpin, Sgt. Lawrence Gruber, Spc. Terrance Dorsey, Spc. William Fowler, Spc. Justin Kapinus, Pvt. Michael Hall and Sgt. Allen Zwinklis.
Dunlop, the officer in the charge of the tax center, was singled out for her emphasis on quality and customer service. “All that is because of Capt. Dunlop,” said Lt. Col. Craig A. Meredith, commander of Legal Services Activity Korea.
Two Korean soldiers — Sgt. Lee Dong-hwan and Sgt. Lee Jae-young — are up for Army achievement medals for their work.
Three civilian employees received service achievement awards: Miky Palmer, Joseph Campbell and Mary Grimes. A certificate of appreciation was given volunteers Carolyn Harney, Paloma Christopher, Sylvia You and Soojin Shin.
Although the center officially is closed, it will maintain a skeleton staff through June 15 for those who have procrastinated on their taxes, Meredith said.
