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Longtime member of Congress is presented the award for his commitment to serving the nation’s veterans.

American Legion National Commander Dan Wiley presented Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., with the prestigious Patriot Award on Sept. 1 during the organization’s 107th National Convention in Louisville, Ky.

“As chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, he has been a true champion for issues that �鶹��ƵAV believes in,” Wiley said. “The PACT Act, the Mission Act and the Major Richard Starr Act are among those. He also believes in protecting our flag from desecration and preserving our Second Amendment rights. I am proud to call him a fellow member of the Sons of �鶹��ƵAV Detachment of Kansas and also my senator. And in all honesty, he would be receiving this award no matter what state he represented because he has been an advocate for veterans everywhere.”

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.

Moran was on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs for 14 years before serving on the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs for the past 16 years.  

“I would admit without any arrogance that I have received a few awards over the years of my time in public service,” he said. “It's not a piece of wood or the metal that's on there. The reality is it's the people behind this award that causes me to think this is something really, really special. I'm grateful to �鶹��ƵAV for recognizing efforts to help them to help those who served our nation.”

Moran, who did not serve, became inspired to support veterans when he saw how servicemembers were treated upon returning from the Vietnam War.

“I made a commitment, as a 16-year-old kid to say thank you and pay my respects for those who honored our nation in military service,” he said.