Highest Award Presented by the National Defense University Foundation
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Tonight, The National Defense University Foundation will present the 2008 American Patriot Award to The Honorable Dr.
Henry A. Kissinger, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Former Secretary of State, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.
Tribute speakers are coming out in force to honor Dr. Kissinger, and include The Honorable
Zbigniew Brzezinski, Counselor and Trustee, Center for Strategic & International Studies; The Honorable
Alan Greenspan, President, Greenspan Associates LLC; The Honorable Alexander M. Haig, Jr., Chairman, Worldwide Associates, Inc.; and The Honorable Colin L. Powell, Former Secretary of State.
Admiral
Michael Mullen, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, will open the evening’s celebrations and
Martha Raddatz, ABC News Chief White House Correspondent, will again serve as Mistress of Ceremonies. Other guests include Lieutenant General
Frances Wilson, President, National Defense University; Members of Congress, the Administration, and Diplomatic Community; and past and present Armed Forces Service Heroes.
Each year, The American Patriot Award recognizes exceptional Americans who have demonstrated a profound and abiding love of country and whose inspirational leadership and selfless dedication symbolize our nation’s ideas, values and democratic principles.
“We are very pleased that the 2008 American Patriot Award will be presented to Dr. Kissinger who, as National Security Advisor and then as Secretary of State, served the nation well in times of considerable turmoil. He is clearly one of the ablest Secretaries of State in our country’s history and he’s been so recognized by virtually every international player in the world,” said Ambassador
Walter Stadtler, (Ret.), President and CEO, National Defense University Foundation.
In addition to this year’s honorees, more than 35 “patriots” from all five branches of the military service, will attend this year’s celebration, through the “Sponsor a Patriot” program. Many of these young patriots have recently returned from Iraq, Afghanistan or other overseas deployments. Some are recovering from injury sustained while deployed and others are actively serving their country on military installations and in communities across America
The American Patriot Award Gala is one of Washington, D.C.’s most prestigious events, attended by senior Administration officials, Members of Congress, senior military officials, and corporate and community leaders. In addition to celebrating patriotism, the gala offers corporations and the American public an opportunity to support the National Defense University and its crucial mission of educating our national security leaders. This year, more than 500 guests will gather to celebrate patriotism and to pay tribute to Dr. Kissinger for his many accomplishments.
Previous recipients of the American Patriot Award include General
Colin Powell, The Honorable Caspar Weinberger, former President
George H.W. Bush, The Men and Women of our Nation’s Defense Team, The Honorable Bob Dole, The Honorable Daniel K. Inouye and The Honorable Ted Stevens, The Honorable John Glenn, The Honorable John Warner, and The Honorable Ike Skelton.
The National Defense University Foundation, Inc. was established in 1982 to support and enhance the mission and goals of the National Defense University through promoting excellence and innovation in education by nurturing high standards of scholarship, leadership and professionalism.
The National Defense University is the country’s preeminent institution for military, diplomatic and civilian national security education, research and outreach. It is the only university providing a common educational experience for all the various professional communities engaged in national security. The main campus is located at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C.
SOURCE National Defense University Foundation
