AMVETS would like to thank the following sponsors and exhibitors for their generosity and support

Aflac
Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
Army Reserves
Bass Pro Shops
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Department of Veteran Affairs - National Cemetery Administration
DeVry University
Jeff LeClaire – Investments
General Service Foundation
Kaplan University
National Center for Health Promotion & Disease
SheerBliss Ice Cream
Smartlink
TriWest Healthcare Alliance
University of Phoenix
VA Research & Development Communication
Wireless Affinity Enterprises
Xentel, Inc.

Thank You!

2008 Silver Helmet Award Recipients

Silver Helmet AMVET of the Year Award
"E J" Knapik

A Navy veteran of WWII, Knapik has continued to serve his country and his fellow veterans for nearly 60 years as an active charter member of Amsterdam, N.Y. AMVETS Post 21, representing his post as delegate to the state convention nearly every year. Knapik has been recognized as a leader within the New York veterans’ community, with multiple honors from his city and the state.

In 2007, Knapik received the AMVETS National VAVS Leadership Award for spearheading a large fundraising effort for hospice care at the Samuel S. Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, N.Y., where Knapik has worked as the AMVETS VAVS representative for more than three decades. Knapik has been deeply involved with AMVETS from its earliest days.

His contributions on the post, department, district, and national levels make Knapik a most deserving recipient of this year’s AMVET of the Year Silver Helmet Award.

 

Silver Helmet Civil Servant of the Year
Tammy Duckworth

Tammy Duckworth is an Army veteran of the war in Iraq who has quickly ascended through the ranks of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, making a profound difference for disabled veterans on each step of her journey.

Duckworth suffered grave injuries as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot in Iraq, losing both legs when a rocket-propelled grenade struck the cockpit. After an unsuccessful bid for Congress, Duckworth was appointed director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. Here, she spearheaded numerous campaigns on the state and national levels, closing gaps in care for wounded veterans and launching programs to help veterans enter the job market. She has testified before Congress on numerous occasions, calling attention to the issues facing wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

AMVETS is proud to recognize Duckworth as AMVETS Civil Servant of the Year for her sustained commitment to wounded and disabled veterans as former director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

 

Silver Helmet Rehabilitation Award
Daniel Devine

Daniel Devine, a life member of AMVETS, continues to serve the needs of his fellow veterans through his work as acting assistant secretary for congressional and legislative affairs with the Senior Executive Service (SES) with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Devine also recently served as director of the Office of the Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Congressional and Legislative Affairs.

During his time with the VA, Devine has helped to determine department-wide policies, plans, and operations related to all congressional and legislative matters. He also helped to assess attitudes toward veterans’ issues on Capitol Hill. Devine, an Air Force and Army National Guard veteran, started his career in veterans’ advocacy at AMVETS National Headquarters, where he served as programs director. Devine went on to work for the majority staff on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, where he focused on transition benefits for troops coming off active duty.

Devine continues to fight for veterans today through his work with SES, which is why AMVETS is honoring Devine with the AMVETS Rehabilitation Silver Helmet Award.

 

Silver Helmet Congressional Award
Congressman Chet Edwards

Congressman Chet Edwards continues to be a vocal advocate for veterans in the House of Representatives. Edwards currently serves as chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans’ Affairs, and other agencies.

In his role, Edwards plays an integral part in managing how nearly $119 billion will be allocated to serve members of the military and veterans. Under his leadership, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs have seen two consecutive monumental appropriations years, ensuring that the VA and DoD have the resources to properly serve our war-fighters. Edwards has been the driving force in lifting the ban on VA care for Priority 8 veterans, and he has also called for the increase in travel reimbursement for VA care.

For more than 17 years, Edwards has proven himself as a leader committed to serving those who served, which is why AMVETS honors the Congressman with the AMVETS Congressional Silver Helmet Award.

 

Silver Helmet Special Award
Cathy Hargrave

At Poy Sippi Elementary School in Redgranite, Wisc., teacher Cathy Hargrave has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to teaching the ideals of patriotism and service to her pupils.

For more than 20 years, Poy Sippi has hosted Veterans Day and Presidents Day programs, instilling a sense of patriotism in the young students that has followed them into their adult lives. In 2001, Poy Sippi’s partner school, Berlin Elementary, suspended its Veterans Day activities; which only inspired Hargrave to do more. Since 2001, Hargrave’s students have adopted soldiers serving overseas, regularly sending emails, letters and care packages to troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. The school of a modest 65 students collected more than 154 pairs of shoes for children in Afghanistan and they also “adopt” single grandparents in the community to become involved with the classes.

During her time at Poy Sippi, Hargrave has served as an inspiration for her students, demonstrating the effect that their small, rural community can have on the country, which is why she was selected for this year’s AMVETS Silver Helmet Special Award.