Meet This Year's Patriot Award Recipient - Admiral William McRaven
We are honored to have the opportunity to present Admiral William McRaven this year's Patriot Award at our 6th annual Greenwich Event. Join us in saluting America’s Special Operation Forces at the Riverside Yacht Club on Saturday, November 15.
This year Jacob Healy, a scholarship recipient turned Programs Analyst for Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, will be awarding the Patriot Award to Adm. McRaven. Adm. McRaven is the Commander of the US Special Operations Command which directs the activities of all of America’s most elite warriors. In his 37-year military career, McRaven has led soldiers from the most historic and elite units in the Army to include the 101st Airborne Division, 1st Armored, 1st Calvary, 10th Mountain, Army Rangers, and all the Special Forces divisions. McRaven, who is also a SEAL, will accept on behalf of Special Operations service members worldwide.
McRaven is most famously credited for organizing and executing Operation Neptune Spear, the special ops raid that led to the death of Osama bin Laden. McRaven has worked almost exclusively on counter-terrorism operations and strategy since 2001.
In addition to his his incredible leadership skills, he is also a very powerful speaker. He has recently made national headlines with the insight he shared with the graduating University of Texas class of 2014: make your bed. ”By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed,” said McRaven in the speech he delivered to his alma mater. “Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter.” He was referring to his time in Navy SEAL training when they were required to make their beds to perfection, when at the time they all thought that it was a ridiculous requirement, seeing as they were training to be warriors. He goes on to talk about how much of a difference starting your day off with a small achievement really makes.
Earlier this year, Adm. McRaven addressed the class of 2015 at West Point. “No great leader I’ve watched got it right every time,” he said. “But the great ones know that when they fail they must pick themselves up, learn from their mistakes and move on.” We found this speech especially moving.
Help us recognize such an inspiring leader - join us in honoring Admiral McRaven.