Operation Gratitude Establishes NATIONAL FREEDOM AWARD to Honor Troops and Their...

Operation Gratitude Establishes NATIONAL FREEDOM AWARD to Honor Troops and
Their Supporters
Hal Moore has redefined heroism; his physical courage, his abilities to train
and lead men through danger and desperation are only the beginning of
character. -Randall Wallace, director of We Were Soldiers

DALLAS/FT. WORTH, Nov. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 1, 2007, Operation
Gratitude will present the first annual NATIONAL FREEDOM AWARD as a tribute to
American troops around the world who have freely sacrificed comfort and safety
to serve our nation. The organization has chosen retired United States Army
Lieutenant General Hal Moore, to be the award's inaugural recipient. General
Moore's renowned career has been celebrated by many within the military
community. Both on and off the battlefield, he has been an advocate and
friend to American troops.
General Moore coauthored the New York Times #1 bestseller We Were Soldiers
Once ... And Young, the stirring, visceral account of his experience as a
battalion commander in Vietnam. The book's major motion picture adaptation,
We Were Soldiers, hailed by many as "one of the best war movies ever made,"
has made him a household name.
"We are honored to present the NATIONAL FREEDOM AWARD to Lt. General Hal
Moore," says Operation Gratitude founder Carolyn Blashek. "We are humbled by,
and deeply appreciative of, Lt. General Moore's embrace and support of
Operation Gratitude."
Though Moore's impressive list of decorations includes citations like the
Distinguished Service Cross, receiving the NATIONAL FREEDOM AWARD is a unique
honor. "Every day countless troops willingly place themselves in harm's way
to serve and defend our country. "Operation Gratitude's mission represents
the best of America. Accepting this award is my great privilege," states
Moore.
"Accepting such a great award at a National Guard Armory means more to me
than accepting the same award at the White House." General Moore will serve
as the distinguished speaker and, as part of the day's festivities, he will
join Operation Gratitude volunteers as they assemble care packages that will
be shipped to 70,000 troops deployed in combat zones during the holidays.
The Presentation of the First Annual National Freedom Award to Lt. General
Hal Moore December 1, 2007 at 12 noon.
California Army National Guard Armory
17330 Victory Boulevard
Van Nuys, CA 91406
Corner of Victory and Louise

Contact: Diane Morrow
800-927-1517
Carolyn Blashek
818-789-0123

SOURCE Operation Gratitude

Diane Morrow, 1-800-927-1517, or Carolyn Blashek, +1-818-789-0123, both for
Operation Gratitude