Three Distinguished Service Medals presented in Tampa.
During the 106th American Legion National Convention in Tampa, Fla., in August, awards were presented to individuals, companies, groups and Legion departments in meetings, on the convention floor and during competitions.
Distinguished Service Medal: U.S. Army, Marine Corps and Navy, for their 250th birthdays
Patriot Award: Phyllis Wilson, president of the Military Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery
James V. Day “Good Guy” Award: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
National Color Guard Contests:
Advancing/Retiring Colors: Lady Lake Post 347, Lady Lake, Fla.
Military: Lady Lake
Open: Jackie Robinson Unit 252, Los Angeles
JROTC Open: West Caldwell High School NJROTC Warriors, Lenoir, N.C.
Overall Champion: Lady Lake
National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year: Sgt. Shane Maloley, Beatrice (Neb.) Police Department
National Firefighter of the Year: Capt. Jason Harmsen, Clayton County (Ga.) Fire and Emergency Services
Fourth Estate Awards:
Broadcast: KXAN-TV, Austin, Texas, “A Hanging on Backbone Creek”
Print: Louisville (Ky.) Courier Journal, “Silence & Secrets”
Spirit of Service Awards:
Air Force Staff Sgt. Cheyann T. Smith
Army Spc. Willie J. Robling
Coast Guard Marine Science Technician 3rd Class James Saelee
Marine Corps Cpl. Jessica T. Nagel
Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Lindsey Neubauer
Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Alexander B. Craig
Space Force Sgt. Melvin R. Smith II
National Recruiter of the Year: Martha “Marti” Bigbie, Post 142, St. George, Utah
District Commander Race to the Top Award:
Hector Rodriguez (PR) – Category 1, District 2
Cyndi Miller (TX) – Category 2, District 11
Doug Hockenberry (FL) – Category 3, District 4
Eric Mayer (TX) – Category 4, District 20
100% Department Awards: France, Hawaii
Gen. Henri Gouraud Trophy: Department of Hawaii
Department Commanders of the Year:
Dennis P. Owens, France
Mark L. DeVirgilio, Hawaii
Culture of Growth Department Award: France, Hawaii
Second Century All-Time High Department Award: Latin America, Puerto Rico
All Target Dates Department Award: France, Hawaii
Jerry L. Hedrick Membership Award: Department of France
O.L. Bodenhamer Trophy: Department of Hawaii
Consolidated Post Reporting Department Award: Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming
Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Employee of the Year: Maria Lindsey, San Antonio
Veterans Employment Awards:
Small Employer (1-50 employees): Camouflage LLC dba CamoVets, Barnegat, N.J.
Medium Employer (51-200 employees): Oakhurst Dairy, Portland, Maine
Large Employer (200-plus employees): J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., Massachusetts
Outstanding Employment Service Local Office of the Year: Redbird Workforce American Job Center, Dallas
Outstanding Employer of Enhancing the Lives of Disabled Persons: St. Vincent de Paul Rehabilitation Service of Texas Inc. dba Peak Performers, Austin, Tex.
Employer of Older Workers: Defense Consulting Services, San Antonio
Local Veteran Employment Representative (LVER) of the Year: Brian L. Seiffert, San Antonio
100% Americanism Award: Gary Stone, Department of Missouri
Daniel J. O’Connor Americanism Trophy: Department of Ohio
Ralph T. O’Neil Trophy: Department of Vermont
Frank N. Belgrano Jr. Trophy: Department of Missouri
Child Welfare Foundation (CWF) Garland Murphy Award: Department of Massachusetts
CWF Udie Grant Legacy Award: Department of Pennsylvania
CWF Meritorious Achievement Award: Department of Massachusetts
CWF Excellence Award: Department of Massachusetts
CWF Garland Murphy Award – Riders: Department of Florida
CWF Udie Grant Legacy Award – Riders: Department of Pennsylvania
Educator of the Year Award: Col. Jeffrey Gaylord, Rutherford County Schools, Tennessee
Watch videos of convention events, including award presentations, on the Legion’s YouTube channel.
- Convention