Among the medal recipients was Lumberton native Mike Dorman, who was honored for his work with active duty service members and disabled veterans.
President Barack Obama addresses attendees of the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal Friday at the White House.
President Barack Obama addresses attendees of the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal Friday at the White House.
President Barack Obama presents the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal to Lumberton native Mike Dorman at the White House. Dorman was honored for his work with active duty service members and disabled veterans.
Mike Dorman, Military Missions in Action founder and executive director, shows off his 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal he received from President Barack Obama on Friday at the White House.
Mike Dorman is interviewed outside the White House Friday after receiving the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal.
Mike Dorman is interviewed outside the White House Friday after receiving the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal.
During a photo op on Friday morning at the White House, Mike Dorman received Barack Obama's presidential coin (shown here). The President gave Dorman the coin in return for a dog tag-like Military Missions in Action coin.
President Barack Obama honored the “extraordinary measures of extraordinary citizens” Friday at the White House.
Among the recipients was Lumberton native Mike Dorman, founder and executive director of Miltiary Missions in Action.
“This medal really belongs to those men and women that put on a uniform and defend our nation and those volunteers that help us,” Dorman said after the ceremony.
While he said it was an honor to be recognized, Dorman feels he simply is filling a need among active duty service members and disabled veterans.
His organization has completed more than $2 million worth of work for disabled veterans since Dorman founded it in 2008. Military Missions in Action has sent nearly 10,000 care packages to servicemen and women in combat areas.
Dorman also works with veterans that have sustained traumatic brain injuries and uses golf as a way to help many work through post traumatic stress disorder.
But, Dorman said, without the help of sponsors and donors, the organization wouldn’t be successful.
“We can’t do it without your support,” he said.
Among the 17 other medal recipients was Adam Burke of Veterans Farms. His organization helps wounded warriors by teaching them to farm. He sees them overcoming challenges daily.
Burke’s program currently has 25 wounded warriors it is helping, but he hopes to grow. That’s where he and Dorman have bonded.
“We have connected on many levels,” Dorman said.
Not just as veterans themselves, Dorman and Burke already are bouncing grant and fundraising ideas off each other. And they are in talks to work together on a project in North Carolina.
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