see also: in November 2008:   Thanksgiving Day Marijuana Seizure Yields 450 Pounds at Douglas Port of Entry   Registered Sex Offender Intercepted by CBP at Pacific Highway Entry   CBP Officers Seize 145 Pounds of Ecstasy at Vermont Entry   CBP Officers in Boston Seize Undeclared $19,300   CBP Advises Travelers of Temporary Construction at Otay Mesa Border Crossing   CBP Officers in Niagara Falls Arrest Man Wanted in California   Customs and Border Protection Officers in New York Arrest Imposter ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Baltimore – Ann Nettles, a Customs and Border Protection employee here, was presented a Volunteer Service Award by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff today during a ceremony at the Daughters of the American Revolution, Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.

Nettles, 41, of Woodbine, Md., was cited for volunteering as the lead Maryland coordinator for the Patriot Guard Riders’ “Help on the Home Front” program. She and her husband, U.S. Army veteran Ted Nettles, visit with wounded soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines weekly.

“We take them on outings, hold events, bring them to our house for cookouts and share holiday dinners, among other things,” said Nettles, a CBP field analyst for CBP’s Baltimore field office.

A cookout she coordinated during October 2007 gathered nearly 500 military members and their families. Another cookout in June gathered nearly 250 guests.

The Patriot Guard Riders are a non-profit organization comprised of motorcycle enthusiasts and non-riders who volunteer to support American service men and women. They also attend funeral services for fallen military heroes. Nettles has attended eight funeral services as a PGR volunteer during the previous two years, and has acted as PRG Ride Captain. As Ride Captain, she was responsible for marshalling volunteer riders and coordinating participation with the respective military service’s casualty assistance officer.

“To be recognized by Secretary Chertoff for something that returns such rewards and meaning to my life is an honor,” said Nettles, who joined CBP in March 1999 as an import specialist. “I am humbled to be given an award for helping the very men and women who protect us everyday. I am thankful to our military for having been given this privilege. May God bless our country and all who serve.”

“Ann is an exceptional ambassador for CBP,” said Michael Lovejoy, director of CBP’s Baltimore field office. “There are many people within CBP who volunteer their time to important causes and Ann is a microcosm of those efforts. Today all of CBP applauds Ann Nettles.”

Nettles is an active volunteer in her local Lions Club and volunteered to deploy with Federal Emergency Management Agency’s responses to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.