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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Jul 4, 2009 - 6:56:05 PM |
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Freedom Alliance Announces First Lieutenant Andrew Kinard, USMC as Defender of Freedom Award Recipient
By Alan Moore, Press Secretary, Freedom Alliance
Dec 1, 2008 - 7:14:58 PM
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Blackanthem Military News
DULLES, VA - Freedom Alliance today announced that First Lieutenant Andrew Kinard, USMC will be the 2008 recipient of the Edward J. Bronars Defender of Freedom Award. The presentation will be made by Freedom Alliance Founder and Honorary Chairman LtCol Oliver North, USMC (Ret.) and will take place during the organization's annual dinner on December 4 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. The keynote speaker for the event is radio talk show host, commentator, and author Laura Ingraham.
"We are honored to present the Defender of Freedom Award to an American hero who personifies courage and perseverance," remarked Freedom Alliance President Tom Kilgannon. "His service and dedication is an inspiration to all Americans. In exhibiting tremendous courage both on and off the battlefield, he has defended the freedom of Americans everywhere."
Annually, Freedom Alliance presents the Edward J. Bronars Defender of Freedom Award to an outstanding individual who, in the face of adversity, exemplifies faith, courage and fidelity to the Constitution and the principles of freedom. Among those who have received this award are Air Force Captain Scott O'Grady, who survived for six days behind enemy lines after his F-16 was shot down while patrolling the NATO no-fly zone over Bosnia in 1995; General Charles Krulak, the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1995 to 1999; Lloyd "Pete" Bucher, the commanding officer of the USS Pueblo who survived eleven months of torture at the hands of his North Korean captors; General Tommy Franks, who led U.S. Armed Forces during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom; and Ambassador John Bolton who served as the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations and as Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.
1stLt Andrew Kinard, 25 years old, is a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina and a 2005 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. In August, 2006, he deployed to Iraq with Alpha Company, Second Light Armored reconnaissance Battalion out of Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Six weeks into his deployment, Kinard was severely injured resulting in the loss of both of his legs. He spent the next four months undergoing 60 surgical procedures to restore his normal body functions and the next year recuperating at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. In January 2008, President Bush invited 1stLt Kinard to the State of the Union address, where he sat next to First Lady Laura Bush. Remarkably, 1stLt Kinard is today still serving his country as an active duty Marine.
Keynote speaker Laura Ingraham worked as a speechwriter in the Reagan Administration at the White House, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Education. She graduated from University of Virginia School of Law, where she was the Notes Editor of the Law Review. She also served as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Ralph K. Winter on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Laura hosts a nationally syndicated radio program, is a best-selling author, frequent columnist, and FOX News television commentator.
For more information please visit www.FreedomAlliance.org.
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