The American Spirit Awards is an awards gala celebrating individuals and organizations whose work reflects the values and spirit of those who served our country during the World War II years. We honor those who inspire others through their own acts of courage, sacrifice, initiative and generosity—particularly in the areas of leadership, service to country or community and education.

Proceeds from the American Spirit Awards will support educational programming at The National WWII Museum—including the ongoing development of classroom materials and professional development opportunities for teachers in schools across the country as well as online experiences that bring the Museum and its research resources to students around the world.

To learn more about this event, please visit americanspiritawards.org.

2017 Event Schedule:

Education at the Museum:

The National WWII Museum is a dynamic educational resource, serving the needs of teachers and students from grade school through the postgraduate level. Through exhibitions, on-site programs, distance learning, and online resources, teachers and students from all backgrounds can explore the values and beliefs—the universal concepts—that Americans and their Allies embraced during World War II. USA Today ranked the Museum one of the “Best Places to Learn US Military History.”

Proceeds from the American Spirit Awards will support educational programming at The National WWII Museum—including the ongoing development of classroom materials and professional-development opportunities for teachers in schools across the country, as well as online experiences that bring the Museum and its resources to students around the world.

For more information, contact our Fundraising Events staff at 504-528-1944 x 334 or email Ellen.Buckley@NationalWW2Museum.org.

This Memorial Day, we highlight four men from the U.S. Weather Bureau who answered the call to action without hesitation, without thought of personal gain or recognition and knowing full well that in doing so they might make the ultimate sacrifice. Lester Fodor, Luther Brady, George Kubach, and Edward Weber volunteered for duty in 1942 as civilian weather observers aboard the US Coast Guard Cutter Muskeget, and after several days of sending out coded messages containing vital weather observations essential to safe navigation by vessels containing troops, fuel, munitions, and supplies, went down with the ship.

We honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in one of the world’s darkest hours. This year, Lester Fodor, Luther Brady, George Kubach, and Edward Weber, awarded a Purple Heart in 2015 after the discovery of the U-755 logs that confirmed its sinking of their ship, will be added to the site. Visit www.mymemorialday.org for more stories.

Can't make it to the Museum? Watch the ceremony live.

MONDAY, MAY 29
Events in US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center

10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Performance by USMC Brass Quintet

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Commemoration Ceremony

     11:00 – 11:10 a.m.
     Welcome & Remarks by Master of Ceremonies, Bill Detweiler
     Presentation of Colors, Riverdale Senior High School Color Guard
     Welcome & Remarks by Master of Ceremonies, Bill Detweiler
     National Anthem, USMC Brass Quintet
     Pledge of Allegiance, Cadet TBD, Riverdale Senior High School
     Retirement of Colors, Bill Detweiler
     11:10 – 11:15 a.m.
     Invocation, Chaplain TBD
     11:15 – 11:25 a.m.
     POW/MIA Ceremony, JROTC Unit, Riverdale Senior High School, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
     11:25 a.m.
     Introduction of Guests, Bill Detweiler
     11:25 – 11:30 a.m.
     Guest Speaker, Damon Singleton, veteran and meteorologist
     11:30 – 11:35 a.m.
     Guest Speaker, Flag Officer, NOAA
     11:35 – 11:45 a.m.
     Families of the Fallen recollect, Featuring families of fallen weathermen
     11:45 – 11:50 a.m.
     Memorial Prayer, Chaplain TBD
     11:50 – 11:55 a.m.
     Moment of Silence — Bell Ringing (3 times), Bill Detweiler and Taps, USMC Brass Quintet

3:00 p.m. – 3:05 p.m.
National moment of silence and bell-ringing