Service award certificate

TWO AMATEURS RECEIVE PRESIDENT'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD

Two radio amateurs have received the President's Volunteer Service Award. President George W. Bush personally presented the award to Thomas J. "T. J." Powell, N8U1R, of Northfield, Ohio. Powell, 38, is an active volunteer with the Northeast Ohio Medical Reserve Corps (NEOMRC), a partner program of Citizen Corps, which provides medical support services for public events and emergency situations.

As chief of NEOMRC and a certified emergency medical technician, Powell volunteers 800 to 1000 hours per year, helping with logistics, planning, Amateur Radio operations and first-aid for charitable fundraising events throughout Northeast Ohio. In addition, he assists local fire departments and emergency medical service agencies during incidents that impact public health. Bush made the presentation during a January 27 visit to Cleveland.

The White House also honored ARRL member John H. Bauer, W4AWM, of Burke, Virginia, with a President's Volunteer Service Award. Bauer received the award January 29 in recognition of more than 500 hours of volunteer work in the Volunteer In Police Service (VIPS) program. Bauer is assigned to the Crime Prevention Office of the West Springfield District Station, Fairfax County Police.

"My assignment consists of many public relations and administrative duties as well as participating in various training drills for SWAT teams and other police activities," he explained. Presenting Bauer's award during a ceremony for himself and other recipients was the Fairfax County Chief of Police. Bauer also received a certificate of appreciation from the Fairfax County Police Department.

"I always wear my call sign belt buckle when on duty, which has resulted in my meeting two officers in the station who are also hams and questions from the public who want to know what the buckle represents," Bauer said. "This is a great door opener to talk about my favorite hobby."