Pentagon to Present Exceptional Public Service Medal to Ben Stein and Bonnie Carroll

Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England will present the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service to Ben Stein, author, actor and commentator, and Bonnie Carroll, founder and director of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) on April 15, 2008, in a ceremony at the Pentagon. 

 

This award is the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s highest level public service award.  Stein and Carroll are being honored for their contributions and support to the U.S. Armed Forces and the “America Supports You” program.  The ceremony will take place in the Pentagon, Room 3E863, at 3:45 p.m. EDT on April 15.  The event is open to the media.

 

Ben Stein is a passionate supporter of our armed forces and in particular, of TAPS. He speaks at TAPS grief camps and seminars, and he visits with military families who have lost a loved one.  He has selflessly donated the proceeds of his book, “The Real Stars: In Today’s America Who are the True Heroes?”, to TAPS.

 

Bonnie Carroll founded the “America Supports You” homefront group, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) following the death of her husband, Brig. Gen. Tom Carroll, in a plane crash.  TAPS provides grief counseling to the families of fallen military heroes.  Through TAPS, Carroll has provided hope and comfort to thousands of grieving families. 

 

Media who would like to attend should arrive at 2:45 p.m. at the Pentagon Metro entrance.  Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be required to produce two forms of photo identification and media organization credentials.  For more information on this event contact Marianne Oliva at (703) 697-7385.