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

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