2010's Great American Patriot: Admiral Thad Allen

LEAVENWORTH, Kan., Nov. 30, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Executive Committee of the Armed Forces Bowl is honored to present the 2010 Great American Patriot Award to Admiral Thad Allen, United States Coast Guard (Retired). The award will be presented by Armed Forces Insurance (afi.org), sponsor of the award and the Official Insurance Partner of the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl (http://www.armedforcesbowl.com/).

Recently retired from his post as 23rd commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, Admiral Allen became a household name when he led a unified response to the worst oil spill in U.S. history earlier this year, according to Col. Tom Dials (U.S. Army, Retired), AFI chairman.

"We're proud to play a part in recognizing the contributions of Admiral Allen, who, like our many AFI members, has dedicated his life to serving our country," Dials said. "This award, which is given to a military leader who has worked tirelessly to make the U.S. a better and safer place for all citizens, honors Admiral Allen's steadfast commitment to our nation's safety during his 39-year military career."

Admiral Allen will accept the award from Dials and General Craig McKinley, Chief, National Guard Bureau, during halftime of the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl game on December 30, which will feature teams from Conference USA and the Mountain West Conference. Prior to the 11 a.m. (CST) kickoff at Amon G. Carter Stadium, Admiral Allen will conduct the coin toss between the two teams, along with leading an induction ceremony for new recruits.

A 1971 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Admiral Allen has provided inspired leadership during times of great crisis in his nearly 40 years with the U.S. Coast Guard, Dials said. In addition to his role in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill recovery efforts, he is most widely recognized as the principal federal official for Hurricane Katrina and Rita response and recovery operations throughout the Gulf region in 2005. Admiral Allen also led the Coast Guard's Atlantic Area response following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Admiral Allen assumed the duties of the 23rd Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard in 2006. He had previously served as the Coast Guard Chief of Staff and Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Headquarters, in Washington, D.C., from May 2002 to April 2006. He also served as the Chairman of the Department of Homeland Security's Joint Requirements Council from 2003 to 2006. Prior to his assignment as Chief of Staff, Admiral Allen was Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area, Fifth Coast Guard District, and U.S. Maritime Defense Zone Atlantic in Portsmouth, Va., where he was the operational commander for all Coast Guard activities in an area spanning five Coast Guard Districts. This area of responsibility encompassed more than 14 million square miles and involved 26,000 military and civilian employees, as well as nearly 28,000 Auxiliarists.

About AFI:

Armed Forces Insurance, the presenting partner of the 2010 Great American Patriot Award and Official Insurance Partner of the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, was founded in 1887 by military leaders with a single mission: to protect the people who protect our nation. The company provides premium quality, competitively priced property and casualty insurance to military professionals throughout the United States and overseas. Headquartered in Leavenworth, Kansas, AFI understands that military members have unique circumstances and insurance needs, enabling the company to offer a level of personalized service that's unequaled in the industry. For more information, visit the company Web site at afi.org or call 1-800-495-8234.

SOURCE Armed Forces Insurance