FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (May 13, 2010) - A Vietnam veteran, a former U.S. Senator and students from all over the globe were honored at the 58th Annual Harry S. Truman Good Neighbor Award Foundation luncheon May 6 at the Marriott Hotel in Kansas City, Mo. This event is held annually on or before the May 8 birthday of the late President Truman.
Retired Col. Robert R. Ulin received the Philip Pistilli Silver Veteran's Medal, former Sen. Jean Carnahan of Missouri received the Harry S. Truman Good Neighbor Award, and students from 25 other countries were recognized for receiving scholarships from local colleges during the luncheon.
Brig. Gen. Scott L. Thoele, deputy commanding general of the Army National Guard-Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, presented the award to Ulin on behalf of the Harry S. Truman Good Neighbor Award Foundation. The award, established in 1973, was created to recognize the accomplishments of the Veterans of Vietnam. Soon after, it was expanded to include the veterans of all wars.
Ulin, a Vietnam veteran, has continued his selfless service to military members and their families since his retirement after 35 years of active-duty service in 1992.
"(Ulin) has demonstrated duty, honor, courage, integrity and selfless service and has lived the Soldier's Creed throughout his long and distinguished military and civilian career," Thoele said. "He has served his country as a scholar, Soldier and a diplomat."
In his closing remarks, Thoele quoted Truman and said, "Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better."
Thoele closed by saying, "You [Ulin] have definitely made history over your long and distinguished career, you have served your country bravely and proudly, and it is my honor to present this award to you."
"It is not for me alone I stand here before you, the beneficiary of the wisdom, the guidance and the steadfast support of many others," Ulin said after accepting the award. He went on to thank his military mentors and his family.
Ulin continues to support the military community in the private sector and is currently the secretary and chief executive officer of the Command and General Staff College Foundation Inc. and adjunct professor of national security affairs at CGSC. He is also a member of the Kansas Governor's Military Council, a member of Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts' Homeland Security Task Force of the Advisory Committee on Science and Technology, a member of the Board of Directors for the Kansas City FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association, a trustee of the Liberty Memorial Museum Association, Kansas City, Mo., and president of the 5th Region Association of the United States Army.
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