ALCOAST 018/21 - JAN 2021 2021 SPIRIT OF HOPE AWARD - ANNOUNCEMENT AND GUIDANCE ON NOMINATION PROCEDURES

R 132042Z JAN 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST

UNCLAS
ALCOAST 018/21
SSIC 1650
SUBJ:  2021 SPIRIT OF HOPE AWARD - ANNOUNCEMENT AND GUIDANCE
ON NOMINATION PROCEDURES
1. The Office of Governmental and Public Affairs is soliciting
nominations for the 2021 Spirit of Hope Award. Applications are due
no later than 16 April 2021.
2. Eligibility:
   a. The Spirit of Hope Award is presented for outstanding service
to the United States of America. It is awarded to women and men of
the United States Armed Forces, entertainers, and other
distinguished Americans and organizations whose patriotism and
service reflect that of Mr. Bob Hope. For his decades of
entertaining troops, both in peacetime and in combat zones, Mr. Hope
was designated the first honorary veteran of the United States
Armed Forces.
   b. The Spirit of Hope Award is awarded to any active duty,
reserve, auxiliary, former military service member or civilian who
embodies the values of freedom, the Constitution of the United
States of America, and the military. For military personnel and
civilian employees, the awards are part of the bona fide, regularly
established program of recognition.
   c. The award is presented annually to recipients (either an
individual or an organization) from each of the following: the
Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Army, the Navy, the Marine
Corps, the Air Force, the Space Force, and the Coast Guard. The
recipients must satisfy the following criteria: epitomize the values
of Bob Hope (courage, honor, duty, commitment, integrity and
selfless dedication), significantly enhance the quality of life of
service members and their families serving around the world, and
selflessly contribute an extraordinary amount of time, talent or
resources to benefit members of the United States Armed Forces.
3. Nomination guidelines: Nominations must be submitted no later
than 16 April 2021 and include the following, as appropriate.
   a. Name of nominee, nominee’s address, present position and/or
status, and name of nominee’s employer during the period of service,
if applicable. Name, address, and telephone number of the point of
contact for the nominating organization.
   b. Summary of the act or service rendered, and how it epitomized
the values of Mr. Hope not to exceed two double-spaced pages.
   c. Supporting documentation (optional).
   d. A proposed citation that provides specific examples of the act
or service performed (not to exceed 90 words).
   e. For foreign nominees, a statement of concurrence by the U.S.
Chief of Mission and the U.S. Defense Attaché (if one is assigned)
to the country of the foreign nominee and, a statement of
concurrence from the Defense Intelligence Agency.
   f. Scanned copies of signed nomination packages must be sent by
e-mail to Gwenda.E.Bradford@uscg.mil.
   g. A selection panel will review the nominations and make
recommendations to the Commandant for approval.
   h. Sample nomination packages are available upon request.
4. The Spirit of Hope Award will be presented in an appropriate
ceremony and reception, hosted by the designated award presentation
authority in the Pentagon Hall of Heroes in September 2021, the
exact date will be announced later this year.
5. Funding: COMDT (CG-0923) will fund travel and per diem costs for
the selected recipient to attend the awards ceremony and provide
official transportation between lodging facilities and the place of
the ceremony.
6. The Coast Guard’s recipient for 2020 was the Long Island Sound
Chief Petty Officer’s Association, New Haven Chapter. This CPOA
Chapter was nominated by CAPT K. B. Reed, Commander, Sector Long
Island Sound for providing Coast Guard and Department of Homeland
Security employees support during times of crisis and need. During
the course of the year, this group of 30 Chiefs coordinated a Food
Pantry that fed hundreds of people and orchestrated multiple morale
events for Coast Guard members and their families. In all they
raised and dispersed almost $80,000 worth of aid in the community
and performed heartfelt acts of personal service to those in need.
The Sector Long Island Sound Chief Petty Officer Association, New
Haven Chapter embodies the spirit of Bob Hope in caring and
supporting for every one of our Service members in, around and even
outside the Long Island Sound area.
7. Questions should be directed to Ms. Gwenda Bradford, COMDT
(CG-0923), at Gwenda.E.Bradford@uscg.mil or 202-372-4625.
8. RDML Jon Hickey, Governmental and Public Affairs (CG-092), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.