National Recruiter of the Year from Maryland.
National Recruiter of the Year:
Robert Ouellette Sr. of Poolesville, Md. A Paid Up For Life Member of Post 295, Ouellette recruited 480 new members into the Legion.
Distinguished Service Medal:
Former U.S. Air Force trauma surgeon and retired colonel Dr. Donald H. Jenkins. As a result of Jenkins’ work and that of other military medical pioneers, the United States has experienced a far lower combat fatality rate than what was recorded in wars prior to 9/11. Jenkins and his colleagues began using a different transfusion formula while deployed to Oman in 2002 which reduced the mortality rate from 70 percent to 20 percent, and re-introduced the use of tourniquets on the battlefield, which for many years was discouraged.
Spirit of Service Awards:
Army Spec. Cassandra Rousayne; Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Porfirio Pimentel; Marine Corps Cpl. Ricardo Gonzalez; Coast Guard Op. Spec. 3rd Class Kristina Manson; and Air Force Staff Sgt. Jessica Day.
James V. Day “Good Guy” Award:
NASCAR legend Richard Petty. He has supported paralyzed veterans and by donating his land, and more importantly his time to Victory Junction, Richard has helped chronically ill children receive life-changing camping experiences.
National Commander’s Public Relations Award:
Retired Lt. Col. Oliver L. North, U.S. Marine Corps. The Fox News host and author of several books about military men and women at war, North was presented the National award for “raising public awareness about the honorable nature of military service and the sacrifices made by America’s heroes.”
National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year:
Andrew Aninsman, a detective sergeant with the Bensalem Township Police Department in Bucks County, Pa.
National Firefighter of the Year:
Sara Shaffer, a firefighter and provider of emergency medical services for Prince George’s County in Maryland.
Patriot Award:
Both Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., were recognized for their great deeds and exemplary acts of service.
Employer of the Year Awards for Hiring Veterans:
North Carolina Food Service in Fayetteville; L-3 Communications ASD in Fort Bragg, N.C.; and M1 Support Services in Abilene, Texas.
Local Veterans’ Employment of the Year Award: Robert O’Keefe, Columbus, Ohio
Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program Specialist of the Year Award: Roy Fillion, Grand Forks, N.D.
Enhance the Lives of Disabled Persons Award: Sioux Steel Company, Inc., Sioux Falls, S.D.
Employment Service Local Office Award: Brazos Valley Workforce Solutions, Bryan, Texas
Employer of Older Workers Award: The Society of St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho, Coeur d’Alene
Homeless Veterans Outreach Award: The American Legion Department of Oregon, Eagle Point
Fourth Estate Awards (outstanding achievement in the field of journalism)
Print category: Thomas Brennan with The Daily News of Jacksonville, N.C., reported on the effects of government sequestration and its impact on the military mental health-care system.
Broadcast category: After getting repeated complaints from customers and a tip that problems inside a company went beyond local shops, WRC-TV News launched a one-year investigation that led to a five-part television report - “Under the Hood: The AAMCO Investigation.”
Internet category: Mark Flatten. The senior watchdog reporter of the Washington Examiner captured the award for his prescient investigative series, “Making America’s Heroes Wait.”
- Dispatch