Marvin Bottum isn't one to sit around on his well, bottom.  That is, unless he's driving members of the Disabled American Veterans to doctors' appointments as far away as Chico or adding ore hours of driving time to the 10,000 he's already clocked.

Bottum says it all started in second grade, when he joined the Boy Scouts.  They taught him everything about community service and, after he served his country during Vietnam in the U.S. Navy, Bottum became even more committed to helping disabled veterans.

"I do this because it's a passion." he said.  "When I got out of the service, there was nobody there to help, really, and I wanted to make sure these people know there's help and where to go."

Bottum was nominated for the Spirit of Freedom's One Nation category by Stephanie Ruscigno, who works with him at the DAV's Marysville chapter.  She says Bottum has housed, driven, fed, and paid for hotel rooms out of his own pocket, and has given much-needed companionship to the terminally ill.

Bottum also attends veterans' funerals because he wants to represent the chapter and also knows how to fold the flags and will help when needed.  Ruscigno said Bottum not only helps with fundraisers, pays for adaptive recreational equipment at the World War II event held annually, but also does wood crafts and teaches veterans how to do them.

"I'd sure hate to see his Visa bill," she wrote in her nomination.  Ruscigno calls Bottum "Mr. 24/7 Vet Helpman."

Ruscigno said she nominated him for his tireless efforts to help veterans and their spouses and/or families.  He began with Chapter 122 in Grass Valley, but decided there needed to be a chapter serving Yuba/Sutter, which started four years ago.  It is now known as Marysville Disabled American Veterans Chapter 9.

"This helps me give back to our country and our veterans who need it," he said.

Bottum says he has volunteered his whole life.  He started with Boy Scouts, and continues to help with church functions and other charities.

After serving in the Navy for four years, he majored in recreation at California State University, Chico, and became the district executive for the Boy Scouts.

The father of two sons and one daughter loves to play with his two granddaughters and credits his wife, Cheryl, for helping out with his passion, which has helped tens of thousands of veterans who may not have received help.

"We're all a kindred spirit, because really nobody but soldiers know what another soldier is going through or has been through," he said.

Bottum served as the district commander of DAV, overseeing veterans from Redding to Woodland and Auburn through the Grass Valley chapter for nearly three years, and also served as an alternate state executive director to represent the DAV at local and state affairs.

Right now, Bottum is trying to get more community involvement in the annual golf tournament to raise funds for the local chapter.

When asked what spurs the 60 year old Marysville resident to give up so much of his own time and money for volunteering, he answers simply, "It's who I am."