Soldier-Citizen Award
The American College of Financial Services established the Soldier-Citizen Award in 2014 to recognize individuals in the financial services industry who have made significant contributions to the United States military, their community, and our society. We aim to celebrate sacrifice, success and service.
Sacrifice is illustrated by an individual defending a cause greater than oneself by honorably serving the Armed Forces of the United States.
Success is illustrated by an individual recognizing the powerful opportunity within this country’s free market system and finding personal rewards through hard work, dedication, and serving others.
Service is illustrated by an individual giving back, improving the lot of those coming behind, whether it be volunteering in the local community or serving society at large, the result being an improved American condition.
The history of America’s democracy traces back to classical Athens. The Soldier-Citizen Award respects and honors this heritage and is reflected in the award being a bust of Pericles, who was the most prominent and influential citizen, orator, and military leader during the Golden Age of Athens. Pericles (c. 495 – 429 BC) has been lauded as "the ideal type of the perfect statesman in ancient Greece" and his funeral oration is considered synonymous with the celebration of participatory democracy and civic pride.
Pericles made his famous funeral oration at the end of the first year of the Peloponnesian War, which was documented by Thucydides. In that speech Pericles honored those that had sacrificed, he lifted up the citizens, and he celebrated the greatness of the society for which they were fighting. He declares:
"... I doubt if the world can produce a man, who where he has only himself to depend upon, is equal to so many emergencies, and graced by so happy a versatility as [our citizens]...for the [country] that I have celebrated is only what the heroism of these and their like have made her...none of these men allowed either wealth with its prospect of future enjoyment to unnerve his spirit, or poverty with its hope of a day of freedom and riches to tempt him to shrink from [risk taking].…Therefore, having judged that to be happy means to be free, and to be free means to be brave, do not shy away from the [service to this great society]."
2019 SOLDIER-CITIZEN AWARD RECIPIENT
General Jack M. Keane has been chosen as the 2019 Soldier-Citizen Award recipient.
2018 Soldier-Citizen Award Recipient
General David H. Petraeus has been chosen as the 2018 Soldier-Citizen Award recipient.