(Left to right) Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael G. Mullen accepting the Hope For The Warriors, Harry Bridgwood Lifetime Service Award. Looking on are U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, U.S. Marine Col. Barney Barnum and Hope For The Warriors Co-founder and CEO Robin Kelleher.
SPRINGFIELD, Va. (October 31, 2023) – Annapolis resident and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael G. Mullen was recently named the recipient of the Harry Bridgwood Lifetime Services Award at the annual Hope For The Warriors Got Heart, Give Hope Gala.
Presented by U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal and U.S. Marine Col. Barney Barnum, the Harry Bridgwood Lifetime Service Award is awarded to a Vietnam era veteran who has committed his or her life to serving the next generations of the warrior community.
“I’m deeply honored to receive the Harry Bridgwood Lifetime Service Award. I’ve always believed in giving back to those who have served and that is what I’ve tried to do my entire career,” said Mullen, who has served on the boards of a wide array of nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the growth, development, recovery and transition of military veterans and their families.
“It is vitally important for all to give back and help those who have given so much to serve their country and help preserve our freedom.”
The annual Got Heart, Give Hope Gala at Union Station, in Washington D.C., honored three members of our nation’s armed forces and their families with the Vigiano Family Hope and Courage Awards, in addition to honoring individuals, corporations and organizations which have stood beside the organization in serving military families.
“While Admiral Mullen has served at the top levels of our government and military, he has never forgotten about those that serve and work hard to make our military great,” said Robin Kelleher, Hope For The Warriors co-founder and CEO. “Admiral Mullen and his wife, Deborah, have always been champions of giving back to those who have given so much for our country. Their ideals mesh perfectly with the mission of HOPE in showcasing that the entire family serves.”
Mullen served as the 28th Chief of Naval Operations from 2005-2007 and as the 17th Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff for presidents Bush and Obama from 2007 to 2011.
Mullen retired from the Navy in November 2011 after 43 years of distinguished service. He is currently president of MGM Consulting, which provides counsel to global clients on issues related to geo-political developments, national security interests and strategic leadership.
For more information on Hope For The Warriors, visit hopeforthewarriors.org
Media Contact:
Hope For The Warriors
Erin McCloskey
erin@etmccloskey.com
(336) 207-5222
About Hope For The Warriors: Founded in 2006, Hope For The Warriors is a national nonprofit dedicated to restoring a foundation of stability, strength and community for post-9/11 veterans, service members and military families. Since its inception, Hope For The Warriors has served over 159,000 through a variety of support programs focused on providing financial, career and educational stability; physical and emotional strength; and social support that builds community. One of the nonprofit’s first programs, Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarships, has awarded 232 scholarships to caregivers and families of the fallen. For more information, visit hopeforthewarriors.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn.
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