In the spirit of Memorial Day, Broadleaf Partners would like to spread the news about the inaugural Bob Feller Act of Valor Award, which is being launched from the Cleveland, Ohio area this summer.  The following excerpt was taken from the Act of Valor Award’s website:

Bob Feller is widely recognized as one of the greatest pitchers to have ever played the game. Yet few know he was also the first MLB player to enlist in the military, following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. With a great career in front of him and a father dying of cancer, he chose to make the selfless sacrifice to protect our great country.  Bob Feller was decorated with six campaign ribbons and eight battle stars, while serving on missions in both the Pacific and the North Atlantic. He is the only Chief Petty Officer in the Baseball Hall of Fame.  When asked what the most important game he ever won was, Feller replied – World War II.

Every year, members of the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award board, with the assistance from all 30 MLB organizations, will nominate one player from their respective teams, vetting each nominee. Each spring, the board will announce the three finalists  in Cleveland, Ohio. Additionally, there will also be one member of the Baseball Hall of Fame nominated to represent the distinctive group that Feller exemplified.  The United States Navy will also nominate service men and women for the award, with a vetting process conducted through the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, D.C. A representative of the United States Navy will present the award to the Command as they see fit.  Each of these chosen individuals will represent the dignity and integrity shown by Feller himself.

We are enthusiastic supporters of our military, particularly those who have given up fame and fortune to serve their common man as folks like Bob Feller and Louis Zamperini have done.  If we can help identify those who still stand for such ideals in the ranks of professional sports and our military, we want to be a part of it.

If you or someone you know would like to join this cause and get in on the ground floor, please send us an email or give us a call.  Please also see the links listed below for more information.

http://actofvaloraward.org/
https://www.facebook.com/ActofValorAward
http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130328&content_id=43433048&vkey=pr_cle&c_id=cle
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130328&content_id=43432938&c_id=cle
http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2013/03/mlb_navy_combine_for_annual_bo.html

Best Regards,

Doug MacKay, CEO & CIO
Bill Hoover, President
Mike Czekaj, Research Analyst