following a May 1, 2012, USO Woman of the Year Luncheon. Pictured are: Air Force Capt. Gina Fasciani, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Sheen Adams, Army Sgt. Julia
Bringloe, Marillyn Hewson, EV... VIEW ORIGINAL
NEW YORK (May 2, 2012) -- Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody, commander of Army Materiel Command, was honored by the USO during a May 1 luncheon in New York City.
Dunwoody shared the honors with Marillyn Hewson, executive vice president, Electronic Systems, Lockheed Martin Corporation.
At the beginning of the presentation, Dunwoody spoke with Ann Curry, co-anchor of NBC's "TODAY" show about what our service members have accomplished in the last decade and the challenges faced by today's generation of veterans .
"It has been a tough decade, fighting on two fronts, while responding to contingencies around the globe. When we remind ourselves that only one percent of Americans serve in uniform you can understand the kind of heavy lifting we've asked our service members and their families to do." Dunwoody said. "I absolutely think today's service members and veterans will be remembered as our next greatest generation."
One female service member from each of the branches of the armed forces also received Military Leadership awards from the USO during the luncheon. Those awards were presented to Air Force Capt. Gina Fasciani, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Sheen Adams, Army Sgt. Julia Bringloe, Coast Guard Lt. j.g Katherine Ustler, and Navy Lt. Katherine Worstell.
"Today, what was once a band of brothers truly has become a band of brothers and sisters and you don't have to look any further than these five great American service members to see why," said Dunwoody.
During her question and answer session with Curry, Dunwoody highlighted the obligations the military has to care for returning veterans.
"We've made strides in care for wounded warriors and support to their families, but we have to do more," she said. "We owe today's vets a quality of life that's equal to their quality of service,"
"As we reshape our armed forces for a complex and uncertain future -- one thing is certain -- we'll need the dedicated men and women of the USO standing by our side wherever we serve," she added.
Brian Whiting, CEO and president, USO of Metropolitan New York, said it was an honor and a privilege to present the USO Woman of the Year Award to Dunwoody.
"Being the first female four-star general in the United States military, she is a trailblazer and true American hero," he said.
This event was established to recognize those women, both civilian and military, who have played important roles by providing direct or indirect support for our military during some of the most challenging times in our nation's history.
Related Links:
Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody biography
Dunwoody confirmed as first female four-star
Gen. Dunwoody awarded the 2011 Theodore Roosevelt award, the NCAA's highest honor
Keys to city given to Dunwoody
STAND-TO!: Women's History Month
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