The Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce recognized a William Beaumont Army Medical Center soldier for her countless hours of volunteer work and fundraising for the city’s homeless population during a ceremony in downtown El Paso, Aug. 4.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Tomeko Eaddy, noncommissioned officer in charge of the medical center’s physical medicine and rehabilitation department, was recognized as the Chamber of Commerce’s Soldier of the Month for August.
Eaddy, a native of Florence, South Carolina, enlisted in the Army as a combat medic in 1998.
“We have so many soldier-citizens that do so many good things,” said Army Lt. Col. Steven Knapp, commander of the medical center’s Troop Command. “Eaddy is the cream of the crop.”
Countless Hours of Volunteer Work
Although Eaddy has been in the El Paso community for only two years, during that time she has contributed countless hours to schools and community organizations in addition to fundraising that purchased more than $2,000 worth of items for El Paso's homeless.
Eaddy, who manages 75 service members and civilians in her department, is the kind of soldier others strive to emulate, Knapp said.
“She’s somebody that people look up to,” he added.
'Star on the Mountain'
As a token of appreciation for Eaddy’s community involvement, El Paso’s “Star on the Mountain” -- a 459-foot by 278-foot star that illuminates part of the eastern side of the Franklin Mountains -- was lit in her name Aug. 4.
“It’s very humbling,” Eaddy said. “Anything I do, it’s only because I feel that’s what is right.”
Other Activities
In addition to her volunteer work and fundraising, Eaddy also is a member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, composed of elite noncommissioned officers committed to leading from the front. Eaddy also is active in the Partners in Education Program, which partners local schools with Army units to improve the quality of education through soldier involvement while providing role models for students.