thedrifter
11-06-08, 08:52 AM
Dillsburg man wins award for helping raise troops' morale
Thursday, November 06, 2008
BY PAUL REICHART
For The Patriot-News
Walter White didn't get to see comedian Bob Hope perform while stationed in Vietnam in 1970, but he was able to visit the Pentagon recently to receive an award inspired by the legendary entertainer.
White, who lives near Dillsburg and is a supply systems analyst at the Defense Distribution Center in Fairview Twp., is the first nominee from the Office of the Secretary of Defense to receive "The Spirit of Hope Award."
According to a program he brought home from the Oct. 28 ceremony, the award "recognizes individuals or organizations whose patriotism and service to members of the United States Armed Forces reflect the patriotism and service of Bob Hope."
Nominated by Joseph Cassel, director of J6 information operations at the New Cumberland facility, White was recognized for "enhancing the quality of life in Afghanistan and Iraq," both in his professional role and as a volunteer.
"You could say it's for helping the troops and helping the troops," White said. On the job, he works to keep the troops supplied. Off the job, he supports programs at the local VA hospital and helps organizations such as the Marine Corps League collect and send shipments of "morale and comfort items" to the troops overseas.
In one case, he helped collect stuffed animals that were sent to troops in Iraq so they could give them to children and build a rapport with the Iraqi people.
After he was drafted in 1970, White served in the Marines as a heavy equipment operator. Sent to Vietnam, his unit was working on Hill 65 near Da Nang when Bob Hope made his annual Christmas tour of the war zone. Some of the Marines got to see the show, but White was among those who couldn't leave.
He returned to civilian life in 1972, but reconnected with the military in 1987 when he left western Pennsylvania and went to work for the Defense Distribution Center.
In the Dillsburg area he has become an active member of VFW Post 6771, serving on the post's color guard. He's also involved in Toys for Tots, a program supported by the Marine Corps League.
Administered by The Weigand Foundation, The Spirit of Hope Award has been presented since 1997. One of the first recipients was U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond. In recent years, each branch of the service has been asked to name a recipient. The Office of the Secretary of Defense was added to that list this year.
Some of the awards have gone to groups. This year's award from the Coast Guard went to the crew of the cutter Alert, who collected canned goods and provided support for the hurricane victims.
Past recipients of The Spirit of Hope Award include newsman Walter Cronkite, astronaut and U.S. Sen. John Glenn, actresses Ann-Margret and Connie Stevens, U.S. Rep. John Murtha and former President Bush.
Ellie
Thursday, November 06, 2008
BY PAUL REICHART
For The Patriot-News
Walter White didn't get to see comedian Bob Hope perform while stationed in Vietnam in 1970, but he was able to visit the Pentagon recently to receive an award inspired by the legendary entertainer.
White, who lives near Dillsburg and is a supply systems analyst at the Defense Distribution Center in Fairview Twp., is the first nominee from the Office of the Secretary of Defense to receive "The Spirit of Hope Award."
According to a program he brought home from the Oct. 28 ceremony, the award "recognizes individuals or organizations whose patriotism and service to members of the United States Armed Forces reflect the patriotism and service of Bob Hope."
Nominated by Joseph Cassel, director of J6 information operations at the New Cumberland facility, White was recognized for "enhancing the quality of life in Afghanistan and Iraq," both in his professional role and as a volunteer.
"You could say it's for helping the troops and helping the troops," White said. On the job, he works to keep the troops supplied. Off the job, he supports programs at the local VA hospital and helps organizations such as the Marine Corps League collect and send shipments of "morale and comfort items" to the troops overseas.
In one case, he helped collect stuffed animals that were sent to troops in Iraq so they could give them to children and build a rapport with the Iraqi people.
After he was drafted in 1970, White served in the Marines as a heavy equipment operator. Sent to Vietnam, his unit was working on Hill 65 near Da Nang when Bob Hope made his annual Christmas tour of the war zone. Some of the Marines got to see the show, but White was among those who couldn't leave.
He returned to civilian life in 1972, but reconnected with the military in 1987 when he left western Pennsylvania and went to work for the Defense Distribution Center.
In the Dillsburg area he has become an active member of VFW Post 6771, serving on the post's color guard. He's also involved in Toys for Tots, a program supported by the Marine Corps League.
Administered by The Weigand Foundation, The Spirit of Hope Award has been presented since 1997. One of the first recipients was U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond. In recent years, each branch of the service has been asked to name a recipient. The Office of the Secretary of Defense was added to that list this year.
Some of the awards have gone to groups. This year's award from the Coast Guard went to the crew of the cutter Alert, who collected canned goods and provided support for the hurricane victims.
Past recipients of The Spirit of Hope Award include newsman Walter Cronkite, astronaut and U.S. Sen. John Glenn, actresses Ann-Margret and Connie Stevens, U.S. Rep. John Murtha and former President Bush.
Ellie