Photo By Spc. Alaeja Robinson | The recipients of this quarter’s Iron Mike Volunteer Awards pose for a group photo...... read more read more
Subscribe
FORT BRAGG, N.C. - The quarterly Iron Mike Awards ceremony was held Thursday, July 24, 2026, to recognize individuals who have accumulated significant volunteer hours. Established in 2001, the awards honor those who make a lasting impact on the military community beyond their duties.
“Before you, are some of the most dedicated volunteers on Fort Bragg. This Iron Mike Award for Volunteer Service is the highest level of recognition a volunteer can receive that is specific to this Installation,” said Fort Bragg Garrison Commander, Col. Chad K. Mixon. “On behalf of the command group, and the entire Fort Bragg military community, I am honored to be here and to be able to thank each of you for what you do in support of our Soldiers, Airmen, family members, veterans, DoD Civilian employees, and retirees.”
Award recipients are required to meet a set amount of at least 300 volunteer hours to qualify for nomination, with the youth group members only needing only half that time. In addition to meeting the hour threshold, nominees also had to demonstrate exceptional impact on their organization and the Fort Bragg community.
Nine volunteers earned recognition for the period of April to July 2026, during the quarterly Iron Mike Awards ceremony, including Anthony Boles, Sonya Mierta, Larry Perez, Roger Tatum, Sterling McCormick, Chanae Norrod, Carrol Younger, Bertha Council and Sgt. Jonathan Lovegren. Combined, they logged 915 volunteer hours during April, May and June.
Of the awards presented, four earned an Iron Mike Pin with each individual accumulating at leats 300 hours , three received a Bronze Star with a minimum of 500 hours, and two a Silver Star with a minimum of at least 750 volunteer hours each.
Sgt. Jonathan Lovegren, a recipient at the awards ceremony has dedicated over 1,000 hours of volunteer hours. He has also significantly increased the morale of his fellow soldiers through active planning and facilitating of BOSS program events. Lovegren is the founder of a non profit organization dedicated to community outreach and mental health awareness.
“I don’t do these things for recognition, I do it to better the lives of those around me,” said Sgt Lovegren.
Following the presentation of awards, installation leaders congratulated recipients before they reunited with family members, friends and fellow volunteers. Attendees gathered for photographs and celebrated the honoree’s dedication, recognizing the countless hours they devoted to strengthening the Fort Bragg community through volunteer service.
The quarterly Iron Mike Awards continue to recognize volunteers whose selfless service strengthens the Fort Bragg community and improves the lives of Soldiers, families and civilians. Through thousands of hours of volunteer work this quarter’s recipients demonstrated the enduring spirit of service that Iron Mike Awards were created to honor.
| Date Taken: | 07.20.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 07.31.2026 11:19 |
| Story ID: | 570809 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 11 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Iron Mike Awards 2026, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
