Inspiring actions often inspire others to action. The American Legion Auxiliary’s prestigious Public Spirit Award recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations for contributions that positively impact communities through service to our military, veterans, and their families. Every year, we celebrate those who make a difference through a creative body of work or even a single generous act. Previous recipients have included U.S. presidents and government officials as well as regular citizens who saw a need and took action.
The recipient is selected by the American Legion Auxiliary national president and must be present to accept the award.
| Year | Recipient | Title/Organization | ALA National President |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Wreaths Across America | Wreaths Across America is an incredible organization whose mission is to remember our fallen U.S. veterans, honor those who serve, and teach our children the value of freedom. Wreaths Across America’s mission so closely aligns with the ALA’s as they continue to pay homage to our heroes after they have passed from this world. | Lisa Williamson |
| 2023 | Team Long Road | U.S. Marine Corps veterans Justin “JD” LeHew, Coleman “Rocky” Kinzer, and Ray Shinohara set off on a cross country journey across America — from Boston, Mass., to Newport, Ore. — in support of America’s Missing and Killed In Action from all wars and conflicts, Gold Star Families, as well as highlight numerous other great charitable causes in support of helping and continuing to give back to others from all walks and challenges of life. | Vickie Koutz |
| 2022 | DTOM Ranch; Eagle’s Healing Nest; Janine DeGusto Dougherty | Ranch that provides equine therapy for veterans, among other services; Nonprofit that is committed to meeting the needs of veterans, servicemembers, and their families; Caregiver of her 96-year-old mother, Pauline, since 2007, and a general caregiver to her U.S. Navy veteran husband, Kevin. | Kathy Daudistel |
| 2021 | Sarah Verardo | Children’s book author: Hero at Home | Nicole Clapp |
| 2019 | Karen Pence | Second Lady | Kathy Dungan |
| 2017 | The Bob Woodruff Foundation | The Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) was founded in 2006 after reporter Bob Woodruff was hit by a roadside bomb while covering the war in Iraq. Since then, the Bob Woodruff Foundation has led an enduring call to action for people to stand up for heroes and meet the emerging and long-term needs of today’s veterans. | Mary E. Davis |
| 2016 | Josh Bleill | NFL community spokesperson, Iraq War veteran | Sharon Conatser |
| 2015 | Home Depot Foundation | The Home Depot, in partnership with The Home Depot Foundation, focuses its philanthropic efforts on improving the homes and lives of U.S. military veterans and their families and aiding communities affected by natural disasters. | Janet Jefford |
| 2014 | Sarah Smiley and family | Author of Dinner with the Smileys | Nancy Brown-Park |
| 2013 | Bonnie Carroll | President and Founder of TAPS | Peggy Thomas |
| 2012 | Col. Jill Chambers (Ret.) and Michael Peterson | This Able Vet LLC | Kris Nelson |
| 2011 | Ronald A. Katz | Operation Mend | Carlene Ashworth |
| 2010 | John Wordin | Founder, Ride 2 Recovery | Rita Navarreté |
| 2009 | Michele Cuppy; Morrill Worcester | President/CFO, Sew Much Comfort; Owner, Worcester Wreath Company | Desireé Stoy |
| 2008 | Karen Degner; Elizabeth Johnston; Marian Chirichella; Karen Grimord | ALA Member & Coordinator for Military Families Connect; ALA Member & President/Founder, Mothers of Military Support; ALA Member & Founder, Angels of Mercy; ALA Member & President/Founder, the Landstuhl Hospital Care Project | Jan Pulvermacher-Ryan |
| 2007 | Kaziah Hancock | Artist/Founder, Project Compassion Soldier Fund, Inc. | JoAnn Cronin |
| 2006 | R. James Nicholson, on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs | Secretary of Veterans Affairs | Carol Van Kirk |
| 2005 | Madeleine Albright | Former Secretary of State | Sandi Dutton |
| 2004 | Alma Powell | America’s Promise & Best Friends Foundation | Katherine Morris |
| 2003 | America's Spirit Award | Randy Fogle & John Ogle, Foremen at a Pennsylvania Mine | Elsie Bailey |
| 2002 | Pete Teahen | American Red Cross Volunteer, National Spokesperson & Funeral Director | Sherry McLaughlin |
| 2001 | Jane Powell | Actress | Kristine West |
| 2000 | Heather French | Miss America | Elizabeth Stewart |
| 1999 | James Redford | James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness | Virginia Hobbs |
| 1998 | John Schneider | Actor | Barbara Kranig |
| 1997 | Hillary Rodham Clinton | First Lady | Phyllis Bachman |
| 1996 | Zachary & Elizabeth Fisher | Fisher House | Syble Deshotel |
| 1995 | Ann Landers | Columnist | Linda Newsome |
| 1994 | The Charcter Counts Coalition | Helen Holcomb | |
| 1993 | Stephen Peck | Film Maker & President of the Far From Home Foundation | Linda Boone |
| 1992 | Maj. Robin Higgins, USMC, on behalf of her husband, Marine Lt. Col. William "Rich" Higgins, USMC | U.S. Marine Corps | Margaret Yankovich |
| 1991 | Dr. Robert H. Schuller | Minister | Ruby Paul |
| 1990 | Marie Guadalupe "Lupe" Vasquez | Stanford University Student | Betty Calder |
| 1989 | Rose Kushner | Founder/Executive Director, The Breast Cancer Advisory Center (Kensington, MD) | Alice Galka |
| 1988 | James L. Roberts on behalf of the Citizens of Midland, Texas | Fire Chief of Midland, Texas | Pearl Behrend |
| 1987 | Jeane J. Kirkpatrick | Former Ambassador | Evelyn Starr |
| 1986 | Kenneth Wooden | Founder/Director, National Coalition for Children's Justice | Josie Melgard |
| 1985 | Ray A. Kroc | Founder, McDonald's restaurants | Helen Gardner |
| 1984 | Charles P. Shultz | Secretary of State | Anna Gear |
| 1983 | Caspar Weinberger | Secretary of Defense | June Stolte |
