MCB HAWAII -- When Gunnery Sgt. Victor Sander built a plaque for a fellow Marine from the Dominican Republic, he set to work building a wooden version of the country — state by state. After almost 18 hours, the native of Lexington, Missouri, cut, sanded and fit each piece together.
“He’s pretty meticulous,” said Chief Petty Officer John Barbee, maintenance control supervisor, Patrol Squadron Four.
Sander, the company gunnery sergeant for Combat Logistics Battalion 3, is one of ten finalists in the “Dads Making a Difference” contest, sponsored by Sears.
The contest called for essays and photos, of a father who contributes to the community with “Do-It-Yourself” projects.
The contest awards $3,000 worth of tools to 10 finalists, eventually awarding a grand prize of $30,000 in labor and tools toward the winner’s organization of choice. Sander would choose a project here on base.
Sander enlisted in the Marine Corps and headed for boot camp in 1996. He was stationed aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii on Feb. 13, 2008.
“I enjoy the hard work, constant change of pace, and the ability to train and mentor Marines everyday,” wrote Sander via e-mail.
In terms of DIY projects, Sander has been working with wood since meeting Barbee aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii two years ago. One of his first projects included a shelf he constructed for his wife for her spoon collection. Since then, he’s gone on to make other wood crafts, and plans to work on many more.
He doesn’t always have the tools for his projects, and frequently must borrow tools. Sander’s wife searched online to purchase a tool for her husband as a gift. While searching the Sears website, she found out about the contest and decided to enter him.
If Sander is the grand prize winner, he plans to use the money toward building a gazebo or lanai for his unit’s barracks and perhaps renovating a barbeque area for the unit.
Though Sander’s wife said it might not be likely they would win the grand prize, it is still fun to try. Recently, she also entered him in the Lex Brodie’s Above and Beyond Award contest, which awards an outstanding candidate in uniform.
For Sander, numerous friends and colleagues can certainly vouch for him as a Marine and a friend.
“He is what the Marine Corps describes as a true Marine,” said Staff Sgt. Daniel Rodriguez, staff noncommissioned officer in charge, Recruiting Substation Lafayette, Ind. “His leadership, troop welfare, and can do spirit spread throughout our shop. He always made time for the Marines.”
Rodriguez, a native of Rochester, N.Y., was a former colleague of Sander from 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, located in Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Sander has made many personalized plaques for fellow Marines who are separating or retiring from the corps. He tries to give each plaque a unique decoration which relates to that particular Marine.
One of his plaques featured a wooden representation of a “Guitar Hero” guitar, from the video game, while another replicated a dartboard.
“He does an outstanding job with them,” said Master Sgt. Marlon Daniels, communications chief for Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment.
Daniels, of Killeen, Texas, said he likes the fact that Sander brings in his own perspective and personal touch to his plaques.
When he’s not working in wood, Sander enjoys spending quality time with his wife and daughter, playing washers, and barbequing. He also makes time to assist his neighbors if they need help.
“He’s the type of person [who] wants to make sure you’re taken care of,” said Amy Bigos, Sander’s neighbor.
While her husband was deployed, Sander offered to help Bigos out with anything she needed.
Melissa Barbee, who is another neighbor of Sander, shares the same sentiment.
“He is very loyal to his family, to his unit, and to the Marines,” said the native of Longview, Texas.
Sander plans to make the Marine Corps a career, and will soon complete a bachelor’s degree from Wayland Baptist University.
“He knew from the time he enlisted he was a lifer,” Sander’s wife said.
Voting for contestants will end July 30. Those who would like to cast a vote can visit http://www.searsunsungheroes.com.