Awards given in competition, by commissions and more.
During the 107th American Legion National Convention in Louisville, Ky., awards were presented to individuals, companies, groups and Legion departments in meetings, on the convention floor and during competitions. Among them:
Distinguished Service Medal: Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association
Patriot Award: Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)
James V. Day “Good Guy” Award: Heather French Henry
National Color Guard Contests:
Advancing/Retiring Colors: Veterans Memorial Post 347, Lady Lake, Fla.
Military: Post 16, Lynchburg, Va.
Military Open: Jackie Robinson Auxiliary Unit 252, Los Angeles
Open: Dysart-Kendall Sons Squadron 29, Lenoir, N.C.
JROTC Open: West Caldwell High School NJROTC Warriors, Lenoir, N.C.
Overall Champion: Lady Lake
National Band Contest: American Legion Band of the Tonawandas, sponsored by Post 264 in Tonawanda, N.Y.
National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year: Assistant Chief Melissa Wiesner, Two Rivers (Wis.) Police Department
National Firefighter of the Year: Firefighter/EMT Lucas Woodward, Sidney (Ohio) Department of Fire & Emergency Services
Fourth Estate Awards:
Broadcast: KXAN-TV, Austin, Texas
Print: Bucks County (Pa.) Courier Times
Spirit of Service Awards:
Air Force Senior Airman Julissa R. Martinez-France
Army Spc. Jenna L. McIntosh
Coast Guard Marine Science Technician 3rd Class Zachary T. Epps
Marine Corps Cpl. Jessi N. Stegall
National Guard Sgt. Thomas J. Rowley
Navy Culinary Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Brianna M. Cruz
Space Force Spc. 3 Jonathan C. Ingram
National Recruiter of the Year: Martha “Marti” Bigbie, Post 142, St. George, Utah
District Commander Race to the Top Award:
Rolland D. Adams Jr., District 8, Idaho (Category I)
Jerry L. Howard, District 13, Illinois (Category II)
John T. Potts Jr., District 11, Texas (Category III)
100% Department Awards: Arizona, Philippines, Wyoming
Gen. Henri Gouraud Trophy: Arizona, Wyoming
Department Commander of the Year: Gerald W. Linker, Philippines
Culture of Growth Department Award: Philippines, Wyoming
Gen. John J. Pershing Trophy: Michigan
Jerry L. Hedrick Membership Award: Philippines
O.L. Bodenhamer Trophy: Arizona
Consolidated Post Reporting Department Award: Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming
National Emergency Fund Excellence Award: Kerrville Memorial Inc. Post 208, Texas; Donald N. Thompson Post 655, Texas; Wheeling Post 1, West Virginia
PNC William M. Detweiler Excellence Award: Maryland American Legion Riders
Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Employee of the Year: Yanta Haynes, Loganville, Ga.
Veterans Employment Awards:
Small Employer (1-50 employees): ForgeNow, Lewisville, Texas
Medium Employer (51-200 employees): Defense Consulting Services, San Antonio
Large Employer (200-plus employees): Black Hills Energy, Rapid City, S.D.
Outstanding Employment Service Local Office of the Year: Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County, Fort Worth, Texas
Enhance the Lives of Disabled Persons: PRIDE Industries, Dallas
Employer of Older Workers: First Command Financial Services, Fort Worth, Texas
Local Veteran Employment Representative (LVER) of the Year: Isaac Marquez-Diaz, Round Rock, Texas
100% Americanism Award: James “Jim” Davis, Department of West Virginia
Daniel J. O’Connor Americanism Trophy: Virginia
Ralph T. O’Neil Trophy: Florida
Child Welfare Foundation (CWF) Garland Murphy Award: Ohio
CWF Udie Grant Legacy Award: Pennsylvania
CWF Meritorious Achievement Award: Ohio
CWF Excellence Award: Massachusetts
CWF Garland Murphy Award – Riders: Colorado
CWF Udie Grant Legacy Award – Riders: Pennsylvania
Educator of the Year Award: Center for Constitutional Studies, Utah Valley University
William F. Lenker National Service Trophy: Florida
Watch videos of convention events, including award presentations, on the Legion’s YouTube channel. Read more at legion.org/convention.
- Convention