The US Army Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE) and Fort Novosel honored volunteers at the Quarterly Volunteer Recognition Ceremony on August 23, 2023.

Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Doss and Col. John P. Miller congratulate awardees of the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal at Fort Novosel on August 23, 2023.

Fort Novosel Quarterly Volunteer Recognition Ceremony Program, parking pass, and peanut pin

FORT NOVOSEL, Ala. — The US Army Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE) and Fort Novosel held a Quarterly Volunteer Recognition Ceremony on August 23, 2023 at The Landing to honor 59 Soldiers and community members, volunteering with nine different on-post agencies, who were awarded either the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal or the Volunteer of the Quarter Award.

“The value of the impact you make on our community cannot be overstated,” said U.S. Army Col. John P. Miller III, the garrison commander of Fort Novosel to the awardees. “The breadth of your service gives us all the opportunity to see the depth of just how volunteerism impacts our Fort Novosel Community and our Army.”

Miller, and Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Doss, the Fort Novosel garrison command sergeant major, gave their heartfelt thanks to the USAACE and Fort Novosel Soldiers, DA civilians, Soldier-family members and military retirees who devoted their time and resources into the installation and community while volunteering during the third quarter of fiscal year 2023.

Volunteers were presented with a certificate, a Volunteer of the Quarter parking pass, and a peanut lapel pin in recognition of their selfless service.

The unique peanut lapel pin is meant to be a “fitting tribute to our local community and our volunteers”, said Miller. The peanut pin symbolizes the comparison between how the Wiregrass was allowed to grow and thrive in the early 1900’s after the devastation to cotton crops caused by the boll weevil, and how volunteer service at Fort Novosel allows our post and community to continue to grow and thrive.

Miller and Doss also presented the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal to five Soldiers. Doss said, “less than one-third of one percent of Soldiers in the Armed Forces actually have this award”, highlighting that this group volunteered over 1200 hours throughout the community since January.

Quarterly Volunteer Awardees:

Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers           

SPC Francisco Guerra

PFC Dakota Lowry

CPL Lamario Fluitt

SPC Loretta Walker

PFC Andres Meza

SPC Ashley Young

SSGT Alejandro Lamas (AF)

Directorate of Human Resources

Meghan Dickerson

Kylie Scoggins

Aviation Center Logistics Command

SGM Devon Webber

Fort Novosel Community Garden

SGT Brad Knight

Jamecia Lewis

John Stoltz

Kelly Rees

Martha Stoltz

Victor Moore

Victoria Moore

Army Aviation Museum

John Farmer

Fred Zayas

Tom Rudolph

Joe Licina

Fort Novosel Community Spouses Club

Danyel Todd

Dawn Bescoe-Laycock

Rhojon DelaCruz

Amie Kilgore

Martha Boyle

Juleigh Ayers

Alice Holt

Christine Heath

Katrina Kugler

Gwyen Elizabeth Franklin

Evelyn Heger

Joanne Lesh

Stephanie Tucker

Mary Jane Collins

Ginny Fricks

Rowena Burch

Parker Elementary School PTA

Abby Boomgaard

Ashley Golike

Brogain Avery

CW3 Christian Boomgaard

Jari Atkinson

Jessica Phillips

Kat Gonzales

Mariana Rodriguez

Nina Smith

Pam Harlow

Selena Heitmeier

Tessa Mathers

Whitney Conrad

Main Post Chapel-Catholic Community

Gregory Seamands

Piper Burke

Reagan Burke

Tammy Seamands

Special Recognition for MOVSM Awardees

SPC Jinya Hirsch

SGT Angelina Altman

SGT Thomas Treusch

SPC Andrew Roden

SPC Shaniah Bethley