WASHINGTON, D.C. [August 14, 2008]– Sports legend and Coast Guard veteran Arnold Palmer will be honored for his service to country and community at the United States Navy Memorial’s 2008 “Lone Sailor” Awards Dinner on Tuesday, September 30. Joining Mr. Palmer are honorees A. G. Lafley, Chairman and CEO of Procter and Gamble and former Navy Supply Corps Officer; and Congressman Norm Dicks (D-WA), currently serving his 16th term of office and member of the Appropriations and Homeland Security Committee. John McConnell, recently deceased founder of Worthington Industries, will also be recognized posthumously. The black tie gala is set for The National Building Museum, 401 F. Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
Palmer will be honored with the Lone Sailor Award, given to Sea Service veterans who have distinguished themselves in their respective careers while exemplifying the core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. He joins an impressive list of men and women who have distinguished themselves by drawing upon their military experience to become successful.
“Our honorees are living examples of how service to country changes lives and helps develop leaders – whether it be in the world of sports, politics, government, the private sector or the arts,” said Rear Adm. Richard A. Buchanan, USN (Ret.), President and CEO of the United States Navy Memorial. “The common theme they all express is that their public service has made them who they are today and motivates them to continue to give back to our society.”
A budding golf career came to full life after Palmer completed his three-year hitch in the Coast Guard in early 1954. Later that same year, he won the U. S. Amateur Championship, turned professional, married and launched one of the greatest careers in the history of the game.
In the process, he became a very successful business executive, prominent advertising spokesman, skilled business jet pilot and prominent golf course designer and consultant. He has participated in countless philanthropic activities both locally and nationally during his lifetime, among them nearly 20 years of service as Honorary National Chairman of the March of Dimes and more recently supporting national programs dealing with prostate cancer prevention, treatment and research.
On the golf courses of the world, he amassed 92 professional victories, including the Masters Tournament four times, the 1960 U.S. Open championship and the British Open championship in 1961 and 1962. His exploits were recognized by the Associated Press as the “Athlete of the Decade” in the 1960s and with the Hickok Belt (professional athlete of the year) and Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the year in 1960.
“Certainly, my three years in the Coast Guard played in big part in what came along later in life for me,” said Palmer. “It helped prepare me to deal with the ups and downs that everyone faces as an adult in today’s world. I wouldn’t trade those three years in the service for anything.”
Conveniently located on Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (between 7th and 9th Streets), the United States Navy Memorial, known as “the Anchor of Penn Quarter,” honors the men and women of the United States Navy – past, present and future. The outdoor plaza features a “Granite Sea” map of the world, towering masts with signal flags, fountain pools and waterfalls and The Lone Sailor© statue. Adjacent to the outdoor plaza is the Naval Heritage Center, where visitors can find educational displays about the contributions of the men and women of the Sea Services (Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine). Also housed in the Naval Heritage Center is The Navy Log, the National Registry of Sea Service, where members, veterans and their families can search for shipmates and register a permanent record of their service for free. Call (202) 737-2300 or visit www.navymemorial.org for more information.