WASHINGTON - The vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff received the Department of Defense Executive of the Year Award at the Government Computer News Awards Gala at the Washington Hilton hotel Oct. 25.

Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright received the award for his time as commander of U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

The Government Computer News awards, selected by the magazine's editorial team, recognize technology excellence in government by individuals who have shown innovation, dedication and excellence over the past year.

Sun Microsystems' Jim Clifton, who introduced the general, said Cartwright was a leader in technology for warfighters.

In accepting the award, the vice chairman said he had the opportunity to do so on behalf of the millions of active, Guard and reserve Service members and civilians who serve the nation. He also said Service members today deserve the same support as those from a past generation.

"I grew up like many of you with parents and grandparents that were part of the 'greatest generation," he said. "I am honored to look into the eyes and the souls of people that walk the streets of places like Fallujah and Ramadi (in Iraq); on aircraft carriers where the average age struggles to be 22; with companies on fire patrols that struggle to make the average age of 20. Think about who your children are. We owe to them -- those who are willing to serve, to fight and to die for us -- the opportunity to make sure that they can be the next 'greatest generation.'"

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