Legion’s highest public relations award goes to TV correspondent, wounded by roadside bomb in 2006, who fostered a commitment to troops with similar injuries.
The American Legion honored ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff with its highest public relations award during a luncheon at the Washington Hilton Feb. 27.
In a letter to Woodruff, American Legion National Commander James E. Koutz wrote, “You were nominated to receive this honor because of your outstanding career in journalism. Following your traumatic brain injury while covering the Iraq War, your difficult and courageous recovery paved the way to an unselfish commitment to assisting the many U.S. military personnel who were similarly injured by IEDs in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Your devotion to our troops through your foundation provides resources and support to injured servicemembers, veterans and their families, building a movement to empower communities nationwide to take action to successfully reintegrate our nation’s injured heroes – especially those who have sustained the hidden injuries of war – back into their communities so they may thrive physically, psychologically, socially and economically.”
Woodruff was co-anchor of ABC’s “World News Tonight” when he was wounded by a roadside bomb near Taji, Iraq, on Jan. 29, 2006. In addition to his outstanding reporting about the challenges facing veterans and their families, Woodruff created the nonprofit Bob Woodruff Foundation, which is dedicated to helping wounded veterans recover and readjust into society. Woodruff was on assignment in Syria and was unable to attend the luncheon. He apologized, and via a recorded video he thanks the Legion for honoring him.
Past recipients of The American Legion National Commander’s Public Relations Award include late “Meet the Press” host Tim Russert, entertainer Ben Stein, former NBC anchor Tom Brokaw, television commentator Lou Dobbs and the GI Film Festival.
- Washington Conference