From the revolutionary war’s continental navy to a fleet
of six ships fighting Algerine pirates in the late 18th century to
the massive service that today eclipses any other naval force on
the water, America’s interests at sea have long been protected by
her best and brightest. The United States Navy has a long and
storied history, and nowhere is that more elegantly honored than
at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, DC.
The Memorial, in addition to serving as a point of
reference for the more than 300,000 brave men and women
serving today, honors those who have served before. It annually
presents the Lone Sailor Award to Sea Services veterans
who have excelled with distinction in their respective careers
while exemplifying the core values of Honor, Courage and
Commitment. The already distinguished list of past awardwinners
grew a little more impressive still with one of this
year’s recipients: Arnold Palmer. “I’ve been fortunate over
the years to receive a lot of awards for golf here and there
and accomplishments that have happened,” Palmer said upon
receiving the award at a September 30th black-tie dinner in
Washington. “But I’ve never had the opportunity to get an
award for my service in the Coast Guard. Thank you for that.”
Of course, the United States Navy Memorial is about
more than just awards. Dedicated on October 13, 1987, the
beautiful site on Pennsylvania Ave offers a host of services. As
the Web site www.navymemorial.org has it: “The United States
Navy Memorial offers Sea Service men and women ways to
reconnect with each other, celebrate their shared experiences
and preserve the memories and stories of their service. We also
provide a forum to educate the public about the rich maritime
heritage of this nation and the importance of keeping the seas
of the world free.”
The majestic site features a commemorative plaque wall,
which recognizes the service of Navy ships, squadrons and
Sailors. It also holds The Lone Sailor© statue, representing
the past, present and future Navy bluejacket—“adventurous,
independent, courageous, self-reliant and resourceful.”
Palmer’s Lone Sailor Award
Arnold Palmer served in the U.S. Coast Guard for three
years following the death of his close friend and Wake Forest
roommate Bud Worsham in 1950. This year he received the
U.S. Navy’s Lone Sailor Award, which was presented to him by
Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge. Joined on stage by
Ridge and by RADM Richard Buchanan, USN (Ret.), Palmer
told the crowd at the awards dinner that Worsham’s death,
which came in what would have been the pair’s last year at
Wake Forest, affected him deeply, and that the Coast Guard
helped him get his life back on track.
“I tried it, I tried to finish. I stayed in school another
semester,” Palmer said. “I was lost, I couldn’t really find myself,
and I started looking for something and I found the Coast
Guard… I joined. I have to tell you it was one of the greatest
things I ever did. The Coast Guard was tough, and they were
good for me. They helped me find myself, they helped me find
a way to get rid of some things that were bothering me... It was
three of the best years of my life.”
Following Palmer’s time in the Coast Guard, he finished
school, went to Cleveland, Ohio and “went to work,” he said.
After winning the amateur there, his career took off. “I have to
look back and say that… those three years that I spent in an
association with a great group of gentlemen, officers and men,
in the Coast Guard, was something that triggered my future.”
In closing, Palmer thanked the Navy and the services,
which he felt gave so much to his life.
“Our services are one of the greatest assets that we have,
you gentlemen and ladies in this room,” he said. “And I’m
going to tell you that I’m proud to have been one of you and
to have been here tonight.”
The United States Navy Memorial is a worthwhile stop when
visiting the nation’s capital, and a worthwhile project to
support. Find out more at www.navymemorial.org