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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Feb 6, 2012 - 5:49:45 PM |
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Operation Gratitude Establishes NATIONAL FREEDOM AWARD to Honor Troops and their Supporters
Blackanthem Military News
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ENCINO, CA - On December 1, 2007, Operation Gratitude presented the first annual NATIONAL FREEDOM AWARD as a tribute to American troops around the world who have freely sacrificed their own comfort and safety in order to serve our nation. The organization has chosen a true hero, retired United States Army Lieutenant General Hal Moore, is the award's inaugural recipient. General Moore's renowned career has been celebrated by many within the military community. Both on and off the battlefield, he has been an advocate and friend to American troops.
General Moore coauthored the New York Times #1 bestseller We Were Soldiers Once, And Young, the stirring, visceral account of his experience as a battalion commander in Vietnam. The book's major motion picture adaptation, We Were Soldiers, hailed by many as "one of the best war movies ever made," has made him a household name. General Moore will share the honor of this award with some special friends: cast members from the movie who will join him for a private reunion in Los Angeles and then attend the public ceremony at 12 Noon on December 1.
Operation Gratitude (www.operationgratitude.com) is the California-based 501 (c) (3) non-profit, all-volunteer organization that sends care packages of snacks, entertainment items, and personal letters of appreciation addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in hostile regions such as Iraq and Afghanistan, and on military ships at sea. Its mission is to lift morale, bring a smile to a service member's face, and to express to all troops the appreciation and support of the American people. Since its inception in March 2003, Operation Gratitude has shipped more than 290,000 packages to American troops deployed overseas.
"We are honored to present our first NATIONAL FREEDOM AWARD to Lt. General Hal Moore. Through his selfless service to Country, his commitment to his faith, and his dedication to his soldiers, Lt. General Moore exemplifies American courage and resolve in pursuit of the cause of freedom and thereby inspires and encourages others to serve our Nation," says Operation Gratitude founder Carolyn Blashek. "We are humbled by, and deeply appreciative of, Lt. General Moore's embrace and support of Operation Gratitude."
Though Moore's impressive list of decorations includes citations like the Distinguished Service Cross, receiving the NATIONAL FREEDOM AWARD is a unique honor. "Every day countless troops willingly place themselves in harm's way to serve and defend our country. One of the lessons of Vietnam was that our soldiers need to know they are not forgotten back home, particularly when they are fighting a war that has become politically unpopular," Moore states. "Operation Gratitude's mission represents the best of America, the spirit that makes America worth defending. Accepting this award is my great privilege."
The ceremony will take place at the Army National Guard Armory in Van Nuys, California. "This event is really about recognizing those who are actively serving, who are still doing the hard work," Moore states. "Accepting such a great award at a National Guard Armory means more to me than accepting the same award at the White House." General Moore will serve as the distinguished speaker and, as part of the day's festivities, he will join Operation Gratitude volunteers as they assemble care packages that will be shipped to 70,000 troops deployed in combat zones during the continuation of the organization's 5th Annual Holiday Drive.
As a very special gift to be included in every Holiday Care Package, General Moore, through the generosity of Wild Goose Ministries in Vail, Co., has donated 70,000 copies of his most recent inner story, "A General's Spiritual Journey." This beautiful work represents Hal Moore's faith-filled journey from childhood to the battlefield and into his golden years, as told to, and memorialized by, his friend and "Driver."
About Lt. General Hal Moore
Hal Moore has redefined heroism; his physical courage, his abilities to train and lead men through danger and desperation are only the beginning of character. Hal believes a leader's role is not limited to the battlefield alone; he believes that God has created us to aspire to a different kind of Manhood, a Manhood that extends respect, honor and compassion to everyone touched by the fires of war: wives, children, parents, siblings, and even those we have met as enemies. His heart is great enough to make Family a matter of choice. I am privileged to call myself a member of Hal Moore's Chosen Family, and I aspire to live up to that gift. ─Randall Wallace, producer and director of We Were Soldiers
About Operation Gratitude
Operation Gratitude, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, all-volunteer organization, receives the names of thousands of troops from commanders in the field who see the positive impact of care packages on their troops' morale. Operation Gratitude's 5th Annual Holiday Drive commenced during the Veteran's Weekend, November 10-11; in just 4 days of assembling, Operation Gratitude volunteers prepared and shipped 35,000 care packages, and plan to send an additional 30,000 packages by year-end. For safety and security, all assembling of packages occurs at the Army National Guard Armory ; Van Nuys, California. For more information about Operation Gratitude, please visit: www.operationgratitude.com
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