The American Patriot Award

Mission Statement:

The American Patriot Award was created in response to the events of September 11th. The action of the passengers and crew on United Airlines Flight #93 was a life-changing event for the founder of this award. When American businessman Tom Burnett, Jr. said, "we're going to do something," he did something historic and courageous that will be remembered for generations to come. He, Jeremy Glick, Mark Bingham, CeeCee Lyles, Todd Beamer and others assessed what the true intentions of the hijackers were, put together a plan for a revolt and successfully carried it out in the first battle of America's war against terror. In preventing the terrorists from using the plane as a guided missile aimed at Washington, many lives were saved. This event could be compared to the Colonial Patriot's battle against the British a Concord Massachusetts in 1775. Passenger Todd Beamer's "Let's Roll," battle cry could be compared to Paul Revere's alarm, "The British are coming". Truly, history repeated itself September 11th on Flight #93. Just as in 1775 when colonial farmers and shopkeepers dropped their plows and business ledgers to fight the British in the name of freedom, the passengers and crew on Flight #93 dropped their laptops and briefcases to defend America against this terrorist attack. The similarity of these two events explains why the American Patriot Award is symbolized by the Concord minuteman by the artist Daniel Chester French.

In honoring America's patriots of the 21st century, this award will be presented to the parents of each passenger and crewmember. It is to recognize their contributions to America's freedom by raising their children to be courageous, to be leaders, to be patriotic, to have faith and to possess the love for others needed to give one's life for them. Where do America's patriots learn these impeccable qualities of character? Who teaches them to have courage, to be a leader, to have faith, to love others and to be patriotic? More than anyone, they learn them from their parents. Their parents were their role models, their heroes, their teachers and their inspiration.

The long-term goal of the American patriot Award is to encourage parents to instill in their children, the family values of faith, love, patriotism, courage, and leadership. We believe that the parents of true Americans such as these deserve recognition for their exemplary parenting skills. Anyone can nominate future candidates for this award. Award ceremonies will be held on an annual basis at locations to be determined.

The Schmoldt Foundation For Education, a private non-profit foundation and Anode Systems Company of Grand Junction, Colorado presently sponsor the award. Additional sponsors are welcome. Donations to fund the awards or ceremonies can be made to the Schmoldt Foundation. Donors are welcome to attend this year's ceremony either in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, or in Washington, D.C.

Hans K. Schmoldt

Director

970-260-4563 (cell) 970-243-4149 (fax)

E-mail: hkschmoldt@americanpatriotaward.com