Dr. Walter Penk Receives Spirit of Hope Award

The Spirit of Hope Award is presented to individuals or organizations that embody the core values of Mr. Bob Hope, who gave generously to the military men and women for over five decades.  It is presented annually to recipients nominated and selected by the US Army, US Navy, US Air Force, US Marine Corps, US Coast Guard, US Space Force, and from the Office of Secretary of Defense.

Dr. Walter Penk was nominated by the Secretary of the Department of Defense and was one of the seven recipients at the September 14 ceremony at the Pentagon.  This was recognition for his many years of service to veterans through his work for the VA including defining the protocols for identifying and treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

It was a stirring 30-minute ceremony, combined with lunch in the Pentagon and later VIP tour throughout the halls of the Pentagon, including the site where the plane crashed on 9/11/2001.

Link to video of ceremony on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okpOyrUQQTI

Dr. Walter E Penk receives the Spirit of Hope Military Medal September 14, 2023 at the Pentagon.

Dr. Walter Penk was one of seven recipients of the Spirit of Hope Military Medal at the Pentagon Ceremony held September 14, 2023. He is second from the right in the front row. Recipients are pictured with their military department branch representative behind them.

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