Texas Heart Of Service Award

The 2011 Texas Heart of Service Award is an integral part of our salute to honor our US Armed Forces. The recipients for this award are chosen by the members of the committee for Operation Military Salute submitted through groups/military organizations in the greater Houston area.

Each year several individuals are selected through a vetting process monitored by President of the HWCOC and Chair of the Committee.

The annual Texas Heart of Service Award is one of the cornerstones to the Houston West Chamber of Commerce’s Texas own military recognition program that incorporates the spirit of volunteerism, community service and the patriotism. This years recipients are:

Brigadier General Mike P. Cokinos
US Army (ret) WWII

SGT Tim Lee
USMC

Major George McIngvale III
United States Army (active and attending George Bush School of Business)

KP McNeal
Navy
State Captain for Patriot Guard Riders

Characteristics and Accomplishments for Nominated Candidates:

Courage, Honor, Love of Country, Patriotism, Leadership & Duty

Past Texas Heart of Service Award Recipients

2006

The Honorable Mr. Joe Reynolds, Capt, USMC, Battle of Iwo Jima & Chosin Reservoir, WWII, former Texas Assistant Attorney General and member of the Board of Regents of Texas A&M University

2007

Donald Decatur Barrett, Corp, Squad Leader, USMC, A Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, WWII
Eleanor Reagan Barrett, Sgt., USMC, El Toro

2008

Wayne Newton, Chairman USO Celebrity Circle, provided entertainment tours in every conflict/war since Vietnam
William “Willie” M. Pena, US Army, Battle of the Bulge, WWII, Professor of Texas A&M University, College of Architecture, Texas A&M University Outstanding Alumni

2009

Senator Brian Birdwell, LTC (ret) US Army, Survivor 9/11 Attack on Pentagon
Susie Barlow, LTC (ret) US Army, Director Operation Salute our Troops, former Director USO Houston
Ruffin “Ruff” Walker Gray, Colonel (ret) US Air Force, served WW II, Korea, and Vietnam; former Commander of Ellington AFB in 1970-1971
David C. Serage, Lt. Col., Commander, 138th Fighter Wing Detachment, Oklahoma Air National Guard  

2010

Bill Balleza, SGT, USMC, Vietnam, current KPRC TV News Anchor
Robert F. Dees, Major General (ret) US Army, former US Forces Korea
Gene Kranz, Captain, USAF, (ret) former NASA Flight Director
Eric Maddox, Staff Sgt., US Army, current Interrogator Department of Defense
W.W. Thorne Jr., Radioman, Second Class, former President Emeritus, Lone Star College