Corporate America, a comedy trendsetter and a former commissioner of the national pastime were presented with Outstanding Civilian Service Awards the evening of April 14 at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall's Conmy Hall.
On the Fort Myer portion of JBM-HH, the 38th United States Army chief of staff, Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, joked, complimented and, most importantly, thanked Stephen Colbert, Bud Selig, D. Scott Davis, Morrill Worcester and Matthew Zames for their selfless contributions to the Army family and all service members.
"... We have honored five incredible men who exemplify the phrase selfless service," Odierno said during his address. "Their steadfast commitment to all service members has been unwavering. They reach out for the simple, yet profound reason that they love their country. And they want to make a true difference for not only the nation, but they want to make a true difference for our Soldiers and families."
The Outstanding Civilian Service Award is the third-highest honor the Department of the Army can give to a private citizen.
Supporting Odierno during the special tattoo were units of The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), including The Continental Color Guard, The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, The U.S. Army Drill Team, The Presidential Salute Guns Battery, The Commander-In-Chief's Guard, and elements of The U.S. Army Band, "Pershing's Own," including The U.S. Army Blues and vocalists from The U.S. Army Band's Downrange and Voices.
The CEOs
Odierno honored each award recipient during remarks to the crowd. Both Davis, the chief executive officer and chairman of United Parcel Service, and JPMorgan Chase and Co. CEO Zames were recognized for giving back to the military in the form of employment.
"As chief operating officer [at JPMorgan Chase], Matt formed an alliance with other major corporate employers committed to hiring 100,000 military veterans, which is simply amazing," Odierno said. "During Scott's tenure, UPS has employed over 25,000 veterans and has pledged to hire an additional 25,000 more over the coming years."
The chief also emphasized that Davis has been a leader in contributing and encouraging volunteerism. His employees have selflessly invested 25,000 volunteer hours to assist veterans and veterans' service organizations, Odierno said.
Accepting the award on Davis' behalf was Chip Meyers, UPS vice president of the Washington, corporate office.
The nonprofit founder
During his introduction of Wreaths Across America founder and Maine businessman Worcester, Odierno explained the history and evolution of Wreaths Across America throughout U.S. military cemeteries and thanked the man who brings holiday wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery each holiday season.
"The work that Morrill Worcester and Wreaths Across America does to honor our Soldiers, our veterans and our military families is a shining example of the difference one determined individual has made in the support of our military and their families," Odierno said.
The comedian
Before officially accepting his award, Colbert, who will be succeeding David Letterman in CBS' late night talk show slot, noted that his family is loaded with former Soldiers. His father was an Army doctor, his brothers served and his uncle was a member of the 101st Airborne Division on D-Day.
"It's an honor I don't deserve, but I will accept it gratefully," Colbert told reporters before the tattoo. "My first reaction was I can't take that [award], I can't do that, but I'm taking this as a reminder of how much more there still is to do."
The television personality has done quite a bit for the military, including a trip to Iraq's Camp Victory in 2009 for a week of show tapings.
"Stephen's show has become an iconic part of American culture; but more importantly, he has helped to maintain the bond that connects our communities with our military - helping to share the military story and what it means to live a life of selfless service for our service members, families and veterans alike," said Odierno of Colbert's contributions to the military.
The commissioner
Former Major League Baseball Commissioner Selig once served in the Army at Missouri's Fort Leonard Wood from 1956 through 1957. Fifty-nine years later, the former Milwaukee Brewers owner and baseball executive was humbled by the award and impressed with the tattoo performance.
"Watching this [tattoo] today makes me very emotional," Selig said after the tattoo as Soldiers waited to get an autograph or pose for a picture with the former MLB boss. "The award meant a great deal to me. I've often said it is a privilege to be in a position where you can do the kind of things like welcoming back veterans. Not only will we continue to do that, but we'll have more of that in the future."
Odierno said that baseball and the Army are perpetually intertwined, both domestically and globally.
"No matter where you go, you'll find Major League Baseball reaching out to Soldiers, veterans and their families," he said. "Bud, your personal leadership has made a real difference to all of us who serve in uniform."
Following the tattoo finale, Selig and Colbert mingled with The Old Guard Soldiers on the Conmy Hall floor to shake hands. Cellular phone flashes and photographs were constant while Colbert jokingly recruited "Pershing's Own" band members for his late night band and Selig talked baseball with service members.
The JBM-HH-based Twilight Tattoo season begins April 29 with pre-show entertainment beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Summerall Field. The show officially begins at 7 p.m. with performances by The Old Guard and The U.S. Army Band, "Pershing's Own."
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