Noting "their remarkable commitment to improving the lives of our troops and their families each day," Deputy Defense Secretary David L. Norquist presented the Spirit of Hope Award to six people at a ceremony in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes.
The Spirit of Hope Awards are named in honor of entertainer Bob Hope. His greatest legacy was his work with the troops from World War II through Operation Desert Shield, Norquist said.
"He epitomized support for the troops as he dedicated his time and talents to entertaining weary warriors at bases throughout the world, lifting their spirits as they were fighting to defend our freedom," the deputy secretary said at the Sept. 27 ceremony. "Perhaps no one in history is more responsible for raising troop morale and reminding American men and women in harm's way how much support they have back home."
1
Jennifer M. Hoyle, representing the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Hoyle co-sponsored the past six veteran service organization fairs, bringing in an ever-growing number of organizations into the agency to provide assistance and information to veteran employees and family members. Her efforts have resulted in a successful service dog designation, connected hundreds of veterans with veteran benefits organizations and introduced the wounded veteran population to horse therapy opportunities.
2
Cindy S. Boyd, representing the Army.
Boyd sent an estimated 1,300 care packages to deployed soldiers, created and gave more than 120 handmade hero quilts to single soldiers upon their return from deployment, hosted job fairs on installations and hired many veterans as a business owner.
3
Vicki K. Miller, representing the Navy.
Miller organized 240 command and family events at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, California, founded and run CARES, an organization that provides more than $10,000 in practical assistance annually to more than 150 military families; and launched a toy and food drive to give $254,000 in food and toys to 5,310 families.
4
Master Sgt. Jorge L. Arce, representing the Air Force.
While serving as first sergeant of the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Arce implemented an automated family care program platform used by 80 other first sergeants. He saved the Kaiserslautern Military Community Airmen's Attic, providing a zero-cost option for 50,000 service members and their families. He also advanced Operation Warm Heart's holiday platform by soliciting $20,000 from the local populace to provide food and gift cards to more than 300 families throughout the community.
5
Brian Bilski, representing the Marine Corps.
Bilski was instrumental in executing the first Wounded Warrior Employment Conference, bringing much-needed focus onto the needs of wounded warrior population.
6
Richard Z. Mozeleski, representing the Coast Guard.
Mozeleski, of the Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Foundation, has worked with multiple commands to assist families facing the death or injury of a service member or an immediate family member, providing immediate financial support to help fund travel costs, lodging, living expenses, funeral arrangements, and other items that are not frequently eligible through traditional government funded support services. In addition to providing emergency aid to more than 60 Coast Guard families, the foundation launched a Nate Bruckenthal Memorial Scholarship, which annually awards four-year $10,000 scholarships and sponsors dozens of special fundraising and family events to support the Coast Guard community.