Adm. Allen receives Great American Patriot Award

Posted by LT Connie Braesch, Friday, December 31, 2010

Adm. Allen accept award

Retired Adm. Thad Allen accepts the Great American Patriot Award from the Armed Forces Insurance group during the 2010 Armed Forces Bowl halftime show at Gerald J. Ford stadium. U.S. Coast Guard Photo by PA3 Richard Brahm.

Yesterday, Adm. Thad Allen was presented with the 2010 Great American Patriot Award during halftime of the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl between Army and Southern Methodist University.

Opening ceremony

SK1 Howie Groves, a Coast Guard recruiter stationed in Dallas, takes part in the opening ceremony at the 2010 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. U.S. Coast Guard Photo by PA3 Richard Brahm.

The award, presented annually by Armed Forces Insurance, honors an American patriot who has spent a career going above and beyond the call of duty to serve and protect our country. Allen joins Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen and Army Gen. David Petraeus as a recipient of the award.

Allen was recognized for his 39 years of active duty service in the Coast Guard, culminating with his selection as the 23rd Commandant of the Coast Guard, and his willingness to continue to serve his nation as the National Incident Commander in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill after his retirement in June 2010.

Capt. Woodring swears in recruits

Capt. Marcus Woodring, commander of Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston, swears in a group of recruits during halftime. More than 20 recruits from the recruiting office in Dallas took the oath during the ceremony. U.S. Coast Guard Photo by PA3 Richard Brahm.

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  • george morrison

    Adm Allen was an outstanding person who had the nack to be human and adjust himself with people above him and under him. best coastie ever

    Retired BMC George S. Morrison USCG

  • Peggie Cosgrove

    congrats on you award. it still looks strange to see you in civvies, though ; )

  • Kristopher W. Stober CWO3 {ret}

    Congrats Sir!!! You deserve alot more. You were the best to serve for in my 30 year career.

  • Karen Lowe

    This is a well deserved honor for a true American hero. He stepped up and excelled in so many arenas, at critical times in our nation’s history. He set a standard that all Americans can look to as an example. Thank you, Admiral Allen.

  • Eric Gentry

    I had the pleasure of working with Admiral Allen following Hurricane Katrina. He did a fantastic job and worked tirelessly to meet the needs of all the disaster survivors. This is a well deserved award for an outstanding leader.

    Congratulations Sir!

    Eric Gentry
    DHS-FEMA

  • Scott

    Well deserved! Congrats ADM Allen, wish you were still our commadant! COME BACKKKK

  • RT

    Congrats Sir well deserved

  • Lt John Dewey

    Congratulations Admiral Allen;
    The first time I met you, you trooped through knee-high weeds in your Dress Whites to see the innovative communications platform coined “Cougar” by CWO Kurt Stephens (Ret) at Air Station Clearwater. You will never know how much that impressed me. You made me, and so many others, feel like they mattered. True leadership. I hope to aspire to the same level of humility and service. Thank you for all you have done for the country, the Coast Guard, and the people you led. God bless you and this country.
    I salute you.

  • Knaub

    Congratulations Admiral Allen

  • CWO4 “Red” Henson, Retired

    Sir,
    Its great to see such a fine American honored in this way. Your selflessness did not go unnoticed, lots of Coasties like myself strived to follow your leadership style… I know your BMC Retired Dad is so very proud of you, just are those of us who had the priviledge to know and serve with and for you. cwo red sends….

  • Ken Flaspohler

    I so enjoyed watching the gulf oil events and believe he did a great job representing the american people and the govt during the rough time we all shared during that crisis.

  • LCDR Diane Perry

    Having the great pleasure of working for our 23rd Commandant, I am so very proud to see the laurels and honors for Admiral Allen. Whether it was as District Commander, Chief of Staff, Area Commander, Commandant, National Incident Commander/Federal On Scene Coordinator after 9-11/ Katrina/Rita, or any of the other major Coast Guard successes in recent years, he has inspired, encouraged, and bred mission success. He was our champion for depot level maintenance and fiscal accountability! Congratulations on the award, although we owe so much more!

  • MCPO

    It is great to see the Coast Guard recognized in front of a national audience. While Admiral Allen accepted the award, it was earned by each and every Coasty in uniform.