Last week, Department of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates received a lifetime achievement award for his 40 years of public service in U.S. intelligence and national security. The defense secretary was honored again, as the recipient of the 2010 American Patriot Award given by the National Defense University Foundation.Gates will have to hold off on getting the actual award until November when it will be presented at the American Patriot Award Gala. He will be recognized for his outstanding contributions to the intelligence, national security and defense communities throughout his impressive career in government.
“As a true patriot, Secretary Gates is most deserving of the National Defense University Foundation’s American Patriot Award because of his inspirational leadership and selfless dedication in serving our nation’s ideals, values and democratic principles,” said Brig. Gen. William J. Leszczynski, Jr., (Ret.), president and CEO of the National Defense University Foundation.
Past recipients of the award include former President George H.W. Bush; Gen. Colin Powell; Dr. Henry Kissinger; Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA, and the Extraordinary Men and Women of CENTCOM; Sen. Bob Dole; Sen. John W. Warner and Rep. Ike Skelton; Sens. Daniel Inouye and Ted Stevens; astronaut John Glenn; former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger; and The Men and Women of our Nation’s Defense Team.
In addition to honoring the recipients, the gala showcases and supports the National Defense University and its mission of preparing U.S. military and civilian leaders and other countries to examine national and international security challenges through multidisciplinary educational and research programs, professional exchanges and outreach.