Glenn Receives 2006 American Patriot Award

Tonight, The National Defense University Foundation presented the 2006 American Patriot Award to The Honorable John H. Glenn, Jr., at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. The American Patriot Award Gala was a celebration of the unique American spirit of patriotism, highlighting this year's theme -- "Patriotism ... America's Strength."

Among the many guests on hand to celebrate "Patriotism ... America's Strength" were Master of Ceremonies Andrea Mitchell, Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent, NBC News; General James Conway, Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps; The Honorable William Cohen, Senator Bill Nelson; Members of

Congress, the Administration, and Diplomatic Community; past and present Armed Forces Service Heroes; and the 2005 Military Idol, Sgt. William Glenn, who performed patriotic favorites throughout the evening.

Each year, The American Patriot Award recognizes exceptional Americans who have demonstrated a profound and abiding love of country and whose inspirational leadership and selfless dedication symbolizes our nation's ideas, values and democratic principles. John Glenn's life is a true example of patriotism on many levels and he is an inspiration to all -- as a Marine Corps combat fighter pilot, a pioneer astronaut and an esteemed United States Senator from Ohio.

Glenn was born in Cambridge, Ohio on July 18, 1921. He was educated in the public schools of New Concord, Ohio and graduated from Muskingum College. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1942 to 1965 as a test pilot, and joined the United States space program in 1959, having been selected as one of the original seven NASA Mercury astronauts. In February 1962, Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth.

Glenn was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate in November 1974 and was reelected in 1980, 1986, and again in 1992.

When he was 77 years old, Glenn returned to space as a payload specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, from October 29 to November 7, 1998. During that mission, he made 134 Earth orbits in 213 hours and 44 minutes.

Among his numerous honors, Glenn holds the Air Medal with 18 Clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross on six occasions, and the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.

In 1998, Senator Glenn joined with The Ohio State University to create the John Glenn Institute for Public Service & Public Policy. Then, on July 1st, 2006, the Institute merged with Ohio State's School of Public Policy & Management to form the John Glenn School of Public Affairs. Glenn presently holds adjutant professorships in several departments and serves as Chairman of the Board of Advisors of the Glenn School.

John Glenn is the eighth honoree of the American Patriot Award. Past recipients include General Colin Powell, The Honorable Caspar Weinberger, former President George H.W. Bush, The Men and Women of our Nation's Defense Team, The Honorable Bob Dole, The Honorable Daniel K Inouye and The Honorable Ted Stevens.

The National Defense University Foundation, Inc. was established in 1982 to support and enhance the mission and goals of the National Defense University by promoting excellence and innovation in education by nurturing high standards of scholarship, leadership and professionalism.

The National Defense University is the country's preeminent center for national security education, studies, research and outreach for military, government and diplomatic leaders. The main campus is located at Fort

McNair in Washington, D.C.