More than Citizen Soldiers: 5 members of Atlantic Division recognized for volunteer service

Published April 24, 2015
By Lt. Col. Daniel F. McLaughlin

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM) was bestowed Sunday on five U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, Atlantic Division, 75th Training Command in recognition for their contributions to local communities.

Lt. Col. Thomas Brooks, Sgt. Maj. James Jackson, Jr., Sgt. 1st Class Theodore Vogt, Staff Sgt. Richard Cortez III and Sgt. Yaneth Ferrer were presented their medals by Col. Dennis R. Duffy, 3rd Brigade commander, during a ceremony here April 19.

The ceremony recognized their substantial volunteer service beyond the dutires required as a member of the Armed Forces.

The members earned their medals by providing aid to the homeless, coaching youth football, mentoring, teaching, ministering and more.

The investment of time required to engage in such volunteer work is not easy for these Soldiers, while they work full time and also perform their military duties on the weekends.

Ferrer acknowledged that it can be a difficult juggling act for her to be able to balance the competing demands made upon her time.

"I have a heart for service," she said. "It's the reason I joined the military and it's the reason why I do community service outside the military."