Legion presents GWOT memorial CEO with Patriot Award
For Michael “Rod” Rodriguez, it’s all about “familia.”
His biological family. His military family. And his American Legion Family. All of those families drive Rodriguez to continue his community service as president and CEO of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation.
Rodriguez, a member of American Legion Post 1981 in North Carolina, received The American Legion’s Patriot Award during the organization’s national convention Aug. 27 in New Orleans. The honor left Rodriguez humbled and searching for words.
“It’s a leadership check from The American Legion, entrusting me with this award,” said Rodriguez, a Green Beret who retired as a sergeant first class. “It’s my charge to do more. Knowing what it is and what it stands for — patriotism — and what it means to me, it challenges me to do more.”
The Patriot Award is awarded to outstanding citizens or entities that have demonstrated a profound and exceptional commitment to advancing the Legion’s Four Pillars.
Rodriguez learned about the values of military service and community service from his grandfathers and father, and has passed that on to his children, one of which just returned from deployment with the 82nd Airborne.
“Devotion does not exist without love,” he said. “It’s a word we don’t often use today, but we need to. Every one of you who raised your right hand like me showed that love for each other and love for this beautiful nation. I’m really proud of this nation. My whole family is. Devotion to one’s family — familia. I guarantee that everyone in here has talked about devotion to the Legion family, our brothers and sisters in arms. Devotion to one’s family is patriotism as well.”
Rodriguez is continuing his service as he leads the efforts to have the GWOT memorial erected at the National Mall in Washington with a dedication planned for 2027.
He credits The American Legion for helping to drive the memorial toward become a reality.
“The American Legion has always welcomed me with open arms,” he said. “The American Legion feels like home.”
Rodriguez, who deployed twice to Afghanistan, expressed appreciation to National Commander Dan Seehafer for starting the pre-National Executive Committee’s meeting on Monday with recognition of the 13 servicemembers who were killed in Kabul three years ago this week. “It’s incredibly empowering for them to do that,” he said of the moment of silence. “The Legion is well respected and for them to remind everyone of that tragedy is empowering. It’s beautiful.”
In closing, he encouraged his American Legion Family to continue their service to communities, states and nation.
“Devotion does not exist without love, patriotism and vigorous support to one’s country,” he said. “The American Legion is doing that. You all are doing that. And I pray that all of you leaving this convention carry on that leadership, providing that purpose, direction and motivation to your communities in that patriotic matter that makes this country so great.”