Armed Forces Bowl's Great American Patriot Award
January 2, 2015- General Peter Pace, USMC, (Retired) received the 2014 Armed Forces Bowl's Great American Patriot Award, which was presented during halftime show at the 2015 Armed Forces Bowl to honor General Pace on his exemplary service to the United States. The award was presented by General Garry L. Parks, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired), Chairman of Armed Forces Insurance, the sponsor of the award, and official insurance partner of the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.
The qualifications for the Great American Patriot Award recipient state that the candidate must be of high moral fiber and good character, having spent their lives and/or careers serving the common good of the United States. They will have gone beyond the call of duty to serve and protect this country, with proven dedication and loyalty in upholding the Constitution and the laws of the nation. Finally, the Great American Patriot Award winner will have worked tirelessly to make the U.S. a better and safer place for all its citizens.
"Armed Forces Insurance is honored to present the Great American Patriot Award to General Peter Pace, United States Marine Corps (Retired) who served as the sixteenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Pace was the first Marine officer appointed as chairman, and the first Marine officer to be appointed to three different four-star assignments, including the 6th Vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and as Commander-in-chief, U.S. Southern Command," Stated Lieutenant General Garry L. Parks, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired), chairman of Armed Forces Insurance.
"Following graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy," Lieutenant General Parks added that "General Pace embarked on a distinguished military career that saw him serving in both peace and war as he rose from Second Lieutenant to the senior-ranking member of the armed services and the op military advisor to the President of our nation. Throughout his illustrious career, General Pace has always displayed a sterling example, along with a determined connection to young servicemen and women of all branches of the military and their loving families. I am truly honored to present the Great American Patriot Award to General Pace, whose distinguished service to our great nation exemplifies the foundation upon which this award was established. Through both deed and action, over a career that spanned four decades, General Pace had gone beyond the call of duty."