Published on March 23, 2026
On March 23, Members of the Melbourne Police Department, Melbourne Airport Police Department, Melbourne Parks and Recreation Department and community members met at the Melbourne-Orlando International Airport to celebrate local community leader Dorothy Linson ("Ms. Dot"), and her daughter Pat Pearson, as they departed for Washington D.C. They will be attending a ceremony on March 25, National Medal of Honor Day, where Ms. Dot will receive the Service Act Award presented by the prestigious Congressional Medal of Honor Society. This award recognizes Americans who consistently place others before themselves through a focused initiative of volunteer service.
Melbourne Police Chief David Gillespie nominated Ms. Dot for a lifetime of selfless service to the Melbourne and Palm Bay communities. Ms. Dot has made it her passion to ensure no child, senior, or neighbor goes hungry. Inspired by her own childhood experiences, she has personally funded, prepared, and served thousands of meals. Ms. Dot is well known for initiating the Annual Ms. Dot’s Thanksgiving Dinner, serving youth at the summer Read and Feed program, and for providing food for Melbourne’s Annual National Night Out.
Ms. Dot will also be recognized by the Melbourne City Council at the April 14 City Council meeting.
For more information about the award, see this press release from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.