Presidential Citizens Medal for Maryann Phillips
Maryann Phillips of Soldiers’ Angels is a 2010 recipient of the Presidential Citizens Medal for her self-sacrificing service to the wounded and their families at the U.S. military’s Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) in Germany.
Ms. Phillips was awarded the medal by President Barack Obama in a ceremony at the White House on Wednesday, along with 12 other recipients.
Established in 1969 by Executive Order of the President, the Citizens Medal is the second-highest government honor a civilian can receive and recognizes “citizens of the United States of America who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens.”
“The Board of Trustees and all Soldiers’ Angels are so proud of MaryAnn,” said founder Patti Patton-Bader. “Her acts of care and compassion are nothing short of phenomenal and we are honored to stand wingtip to wingtip with her.”
While maintaining a residence in Wyoming, Ms. Phillips lives and works in Germany, where for the last five years she has devoted herself to caring for America’s wounded military personnel and their families five hours away from her at LRMC.
As a volunteer, Ms. Phillips regularly spends hours at the bedside of wounded or dying soldiers, distributes gifts of support to patients and medical personnel, coordinates donations, and leads a staff of local German and American volunteers.
She also spends dozens of hours at home each week, completing paperwork and reassuring stateside families of patients she has met at LRMC, informs Soldiers’ Angels.
Past military-related recipients have included General Colin Powell, entertainer Gary Sinise and WWII veteran Bob Dole.
According to the official citation, Ms. Phillips received the Medal for “putting her patriotism into action on behalf of our troops and our nation.”
Soldiers’ Angels works with volunteers providing aid and comfort to members of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans and military families through hands-on projects.
