2011 Liberty Medal Ceremony Will Be a Star-Studded Tribute to Former U.S

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS: Ashley Berke Lauren Saul Director of Public Relations Public Relations Manager 215.409.6693 215.409.6895 [email protected] [email protected] 2011 LIBERTY MEDAL CEREMONY WILL BE A STAR-STUDDED TRIBUTE TO FORMER U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ROBERT M. GATES Award to be presented by distinguished members of the military Video tributes feature George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Hillary Clinton, Sandra Day O’Connor, Mayor Michael Nutter Appearances and performances by Governor Tom Corbett, Bob Woodruff, Kim Delaney, U.S. Air Force Choir, Richie McDonald Philadelphia, PA (September 19, 2011) – Some of the biggest names in politics will join stars of the screen and stage, as well as those who have served in the armed forces, to celebrate the legacy of former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates during the National Constitution Center’s 2011 Liberty Medal ceremony. The event will take place on the Center’s front lawn on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. The ceremony will be broadcast live on WPVI- TV/6abc and webcast live on www.6abc.com. In what is certain to be a moving tribute to Dr. Gates’ role as the “Soldiers’ Secretary,” Iraq War veteran Anthony Odierno, representing Wounded Warrior Project, and SFC Dana Graham of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, representing the USO of Pennsylvania and Southern NJ (Liberty USO), will present the prestigious Liberty Medal to Dr. Gates. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Anthony Odierno comes from a proud military family. His father, General Raymond T. Odierno, is the 38th Chief of Staff of the United States Army. Anthony Odierno’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal for Valor and the Purple Heart. While leading a patrol through southwest Baghdad in 2004, Odierno’s vehicle was attacked with a rocket-propelled grenade. Odierno lost his left arm, his fellow service members sustained numerous injuries, and their driver lost his life. Today, thanks to improvements called for by Dr. Gates, tragedies like this have been prevented and countless lives have been saved. Sergeant First Class Dana Graham has more than 14 years of total service, completing over nine years while on active duty Army. In 2007, SFC Graham enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, where she is assigned to 3rd Battalion, 166th Regiment, Ft Indiantown Gap, PA. SFC Graham's deployment to Iraq and her current position as a Senior Small Group Leader for the Warrior Leader Course have been directly impacted by equipment initiatives supported by Dr. Gates during his tenure as Secretary of Defense. Improvements in individual body armor helped her survive an indirect fire event, and the improved equipment fielding initiative to the National Guard assists her in training future Army leaders. A native of Hummelstown, PA, SFC Graham recently was named the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s noncommissioned officer of the year. She has received numerous citations for her work, including five Army Achievement Medals and a Purple Heart that she earned while serving in Iraq. Appearing in video tributes throughout the ceremony will be President George H.W. Bush, under whom Gates served as Director of the CIA; President Bill Clinton, Chair of the National Constitution Center Board of Trustees; President George W. Bush, who originally appointed Gates to the post of Secretary of Defense in 2006; Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, with whom Gates worked closely during his final term as Secretary of Defense under President Obama; former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who Gates recently succeeded as chancellor of the College of William and Mary; and Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter. ABC News Correspondent Bob Woodruff will host the live event, which also will feature presentations by Pennsylvania Governor Thomas W. Corbett, actress and star of Army Wives Kim Delaney, and National Constitution Center President and CEO David Eisner. Live performances will include a rousing military medley performed by The Singing Sergeants of the United States Air Force and a stirring performance of “I’m Already There,” the unofficial anthem for U.S Troops serving in the Middle East, by former lead singer of Lonestar Richie McDonald. The Aggie Wranglers, the country western dance team of Texas A&M University – where Gates served as President from 2002-2006 – will perform prior to the live broadcast. In his five-decade career in public service, Dr. Gates served eight presidents – in uniform, as the director of the CIA and as the civilian head of America’s armed forces. From the era of the Cold War to the complex challenges of the 21st century, he helped transform U.S. intelligence and military operations to meet emerging realities, and supported the safety and empowerment of American servicemen and women. Having served both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama, Dr. Gates is the only Secretary of Defense in U.S. history to serve presidents of different parties. A tireless advocate for the welfare of American troops, Gates has been called the “ultimate soldiers’ secretary.” Thinking of the troops as his own sons and daughters, he made it a top priority to care for them and their families. His push for the purchase of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs) and the production of drones, cameras and sensors provided a safer way to conduct operations and saved the lives of many American soldiers. He also played an instrumental role in reducing the amount of time to get wounded soldiers from the battlefield to a hospital in Afghanistan. The Liberty Medal was established in 1988 to commemorate the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution. Given annually, the medal honors men and women of courage and conviction who strive to secure the blessings of liberty to people around the globe. Ira Lubert of Independence Capital Partners will sponsor the Liberty Medal award in 2011, as he has for the past three years. For the sixth year, Citizens Bank is the presenting sponsor for the President’s Reception prior to the Liberty Medal ceremony. Hublot, the luxury Swiss brand that brings the "Art of Fusion" to watchmaking, will co-sponsor the Liberty Medal gala for 2011-2012, and will create a limited edition "U.S. Liberty Bang" timepiece to celebrate the significance of the Liberty Medal. The City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania also support the Liberty Medal. Located on Independence Mall in Historic Philadelphia, the National Constitution Center is America’s first and only nonprofit, nonpartisan institution devoted to the U.S. Constitution. As a cutting-edge museum, national town hall and educational facility, the Center illuminates constitutional ideals and inspires acts of citizenship through must-see multimedia exhibitions, live performances, timely public programs and dynamic educational resources. The museum dramatically tells the story of “We the People” through more than 100 interactive exhibits, films, photographs and rare artifacts; the stirring theatrical performance Freedom Rising; and the iconic attraction Signers’ Hall, featuring 42 life-sized bronze statues of the Founding Fathers. As America’s town hall for constitutional dialogue, the Center regularly engages political leaders, scholars, pundits and journalists of diverse viewpoints. The Center also houses the Annenberg Center for Education and Outreach, which serves as the hub for national constitutional education and provides exceptional civic learning resources both onsite and online. For more information, call 215.409.6700 or visit www.constitutioncenter.org. ### .

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