Honoring Heroes: American Legion Now Welcoming Spirit of Service Award Entries

The American Legion is set to honor enlisted service members who excel in community service and professional achievement with the prestigious Spirit of Service award. Distinguished recipients from each military branch will receive their accolades at the American Legion’s National Convention, held from August 24th to 28th in Tampa, Florida. A Medal of Honor recipient will present these awards personally.

Nominations for this award must come from commanding officers who will select candidates based primarily on their volunteerism and off-duty community engagements. Eligible service members should serve at the rank of E-5 or below during the year 2024 and must have completed their community contributions within this period. Both active and Reserve members may be nominated, provided they demonstrate exceptional military professionalism.

The nomination package must include detailed documentation, such as a biography with quantifiable data on community service activities, an official service record brief, and high-resolution photographs in service uniform. Commanding officers are limited to nominating only one sailor from their command, and previous award winners are not permitted to resubmit.

The American Legion will sponsor travel and lodging for the awardees, while family members or guests are expected to cover their own expenses. Consent for the release of information contained in the nomination package is mandatory and should be explicitly authorized by the nominee.

Nominations, which are due by April 1, 2025, should be submitted to Kristine Garland at the provided Navy email address. The Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) will oversee the consolidation and evaluation of all submissions before final selections are made by the American Legion.

The American Legion, established in 1919, continues its mission to serve veterans and communities, growing from World War I veterans into a significant nonprofit organization with far-reaching influence in the United States.