Great American Award

Our Great American Award is presented annually at the Awakening to a leader who has epitomized the American dream through their hard work, perseverance, and integrity.  They have helped to lead our nation, strengthen our communities, and build a country where families can flourish. Our past awardees have led lives devoted to military and public service, ministry and movement building. 

2024 Award Winners

The 2024 Great American Award was presented to Bernie Marcus, chairman of the Marcus Foundation. Bernie Marcus, co-founder of The Home Depot, founded The Marcus Foundation in 1989 to carry out his philanthropic vision. The Foundation’s grantmaking philosophy is derived from Bernie Marcus’ personal life and career experiences, and his success as an entrepreneur enables him to give back.

The 2024 Great American Award was presented to the Amos Family in memory of William Amos Jr. doctor, businessman, philanthropist, community builder, husband, father, and grandfather. It was in this spirit that he created the Great American Award to honor his father’s legacy. Through his work and his philanthropy, he served his community and supported and defended America’s founding principles in our institutions, our schools, and in the hearts of all Americans. 

Past Award Winners

2007
Edwin "Ed" Meese, III
2008
General Charles “ Chuck” Chandler Krulak
2009
Senator Sam Brownback
2010
Senator Jefferson Beauregard "Jeff" Sessions III
2011
Congressman Thomas Edmunds Price
2012
Dr. James Clayton "Jim" Dobson, Jr.
2013
Senator James Warren "Jim" DeMint
2014
Edwin John "Ed" Feulner, Jr. 

 

2015
General John Allen
2016
Phil Truluck
2017
State Senator Todd Gardenhire
2018
Astronaut Robert Lee “Hoot” Gibson
Astronaut Martha Rhea Seddon, MD
2019
Dr. Paul Meier
2020
Lt. General Robert Walsh
Ernest and Jan Taylor
2022
Vice President Mike Pence