Award recipients from 101st National Convention
Many awards are given out each year at the American Legion national convention. Below is the list of awards, and their recipients, from the 101st National Convention in Indianapolis in August.
Distinguished Service Medal: Sen. John McCain (posthumous)
Patriot Award: Mitch Daniels
National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year: Lt. (ret.) Jane Anderson
National Firefighter of the Year: Chief Jan K. Rader
Ralph T. O’Neil Education Trophy - For greatest activity in use of American Legion School Medal awards
Department of Vermont
Daniel J. O’Connor Americanism Trophy - For best all-around Americanism activities
Department of Virginia
National Recruiter of the Year: Charles T. “Abe” Abrahamson
Race to the Top winners - Given to district commanders who attain at least 100 percent of the district’s assigned membership objective by March 31
Richard F. Devlin III
Benjamin David Gibson
Stephen “Chris” Hamrick
Consolidated Post Report winners
Departments of Washington, Oregon, North Carolina, Kentucky, Colorado, Vermont, Nevada, West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, Alaska, Maryland, Wyoming and Florida
Frank N. Belgrano Trophy - For support of Boy Scouts of America
Department of North Carolina
Garland D. Murphy Jr. Award - Based on actual contributions received during the 2018-2019 American Legion Child Welfare Foundation year
Department of Florida
U.S. “Udie” Grant Legacy Award - Based on total combined donations of American Legion Family to the Child Welfare Foundation
Department of Florida
Child Welfare Foundation Meritorious Achievement Award - Given for the highest increase in per-capita giving to the CWF
Department of Nevada
William F. Lenker National Service Trophy - For best supporting and implementing programs to benefit veterans and their families
Department of Colorado
Fourth Estate Awards
Broadcast: KNTV, San Francisco
Print: Cynthia Simison/The Republican, Springfield, Mass.
Internet: Oriana Pawlyk/Military.com
O.L. Bodenhamer Trophy - No. 1 in membership at June report
Department of Alabama
Employer of the Year - For companies and businesses dedicated to hiring veterans
Small Category: Bravehearts Therapeutic Riding & Education Center
Medium Category: HICAPS Inc.
Large Category: Grunt Styles, LLC
Employer of Older Workers Award: Workforce Connection-Wise Title V
Michael Guty Homeless Veterans Outreach Award: Robert Looby
Employment Service Local Office Award: Pikes Peak Workforce Center
Local Veterans Employment Representative of the Year: Osvaldo “Ozzie” Montalvo
Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist of the Year: Mark Simmons
Color Guard Contests
Advancing/Retiring of Colors: Newport Harbor Post 291 (Newport Beach, Calif.)
Open Class: Shooting Stars Color Guard (Clay County Post 14, Flora, Ill.)
Military Class: Harrisburg Post 472 (Houston)
Military Class-Open: Department of Massachusetts Honor Guard
Band Contest
American Legion Band of the Tonawandas, sponsored by Post 264 of Tonawanda, N.Y.
Spirit of Service
Air Force Staff Sgt. Heather M. Carden
Army Sgt. Joshua R. Evans
Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Benjamin P. Forsberg
Marine Corps Sgt. Anthony K. Marinelli
Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin McMullen
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph B. McPhail