Army chief of staff presents Outstanding Civilian Service Awards

By George Markfelder, JFHQNCRMDWMay 25, 2012

Army Chief of Staff Presents Outstanding Civilian Service Awards
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army Chief of Staff Presents Outstanding Civilian Service Awards
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Soldier from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) performs in front of more than a thousand fans and the chief of staff of the U.S. Army during the U.S. Army Military District of Washington's "Twilight Tattoo" at Joint Base Myer-Henderson ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army Chief of Staff Presents Outstanding Civilian Service Awards
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, chief of staff of the U.S. Army, stands with Outstanding Civilian Service Award recipients (left) John Harbaugh, Bob Delaney, Lynn Chwatsky, Linda Patterson and Tom Coughlin. The award is the third-highest honor the Army may ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. (May 23, 2012) -- More than a thousand visitors to Wednesday's Twilight Tattoo watched their host, Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, chief of staff of the U.S. Army, present five Outstanding Civilian Service Awards.

Soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) performed to the sounds of the The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" during the "Twilight Tattoo" at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, in the ceremony which honored civic leaders for their service to Soldiers.

"I extend a warm welcome to everyone that came out tonight, and more importantly, for your incredible support to our Soldiers and Army families," said Odierno during remarks made to the audience and Soldiers performing. "We are honored to have with us tonight five individuals who have gone above and beyond in their selfless support of our troops."

The Outstanding Civilian Service Award is the third-highest honor within the Department of the Army that bestow upon a private citizen. It is awarded to civilians not employed by the Army, and cannot be presented to federal government officials at the policy-development level, or technical personnel who assist the Army as a consultant or advisor.

"These individuals have dedicated an enormous amount of time and effort to support, enable, and empower our Soldiers and Army families," said Odierno. "I am proud to not only acknowledge all the support they have given to our Army, but to tell them how grateful we are for what they do as role models and selfless leaders."

Odierno presented awards to:

Tom Coughlin, head coach of the New York Giants; Lynn Chwatsky, vice president of outreach for the Sesame Workshop's Military Families Project; Linda Patterson, president and founder of America Supporting Americans; John Harbaugh, head coach of the Baltimore Ravens; and Bob Delaney, former police officer and referee in the NBA.

"It's a meaningful award; it's important to me to be a small part of what the military does," said Harbaugh during an interview prior to the ceremony. "I just want to say thanks to all of the military, and I am so grateful for everything they do."

"General Odierno offered education to be a part of the USO tour and I wanted to get involved," said Coughlin. "I went to Mosul, Iraq, and was able to meet the Soldiers and the thing that really stood out to me was they all had such high morale and I was happy to be a part of that experience."

"Twilight Tattoo" is a production of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington and is free and open to the public. It is scheduled every Wednesday night, rain or shine at Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall (Fort Myer) during the summer through the end of August.

Check the U.S. Army Military District of Washington's Twilight Tattoo website for schedule details and history of the "Twilight Tattoo" at http://twilight.mdw.army.mil/

Related Links:

Twilight Tattoo Schedule

Army honors Ravens coach, civic leaders at Tattoo

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno

Joint Forces Headquarters - National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington

STAND-TO!: Army Civilian Service Website

ARNEWS on Facebook

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno on Facebook

More photos from this event

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno on Twitter

The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own"

3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) on Facebook

The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" on Facebook