This program is designed to recognize and reward Patriots of the Chapters and Departments for their outstanding contributions to the Order in the preceding year.

Chapter Patriots of the Year

          To bring equity and fairness to this program, it is felt that each active Chapter should recognize their own Patriot of the Year. These Patriots would receive a certificate mounted on a plaque from their Chapters.The Chapters should then recommend their Patriot of the Year for consideration by the Department Commander for the Department Patriot of the Year. Chapter Commanders must submit their Chapter Patriot of the Year to their Department Commander for consideration of Department Patriot of the Year no later than April 30. A certificate mounted on a plaque is available for purchase by Chapters through National Supply Store.  Download a form here. It can be filled in and submitted by email or printed and mailed.

Department Patriots of the Year

          The Department Commander will then select a Department Patriot of the Year from among the Chapter Patriots submitted to them. The Department Patriot of the Year would receive a certificate mounted on a plaque from their Department for their achievement. The Department should then recommend their Patriot of the Year for consideration by the Region Commander for the Region Patriot of the Year. Department Commanders must submit their Department Patriot of the Year to their Region Commander no later than June 30. A certificate mounted on a plaque is available for purchase by Departments through National Supply Store.

Region Patriots of the Year

          Each year the Regions will select from among the Department Patriots of the Year submitted to them a Region Patriot of the Year for outstanding achievement during the preceding year, and submit this selection to the National Adjutant, with the appropriate paperwork justifying the selection. This nomination must be received by the National Adjutant no later than July 7. A form for submission follows at the bottom of this description. The Region Patriots of the Year will be awarded their recognition at the National Convention and will be given a special plaque by their Region Commander at the Saturday night banquet. The Region Patriots of the Year will be reimbursed for their expenses to the National Convention as if they were NEC. They and a guest will be guests at the Saturday night banquet where they will be assigned special seating.

National Patriot of the Year

          The six Region Patriots of the Year will be put into competition for the National Patriot of the Year.  No Patriot may qualify for Patriot of the Year in successive years.  No National elected or appointed Officer is eligible for the award.  The decision will be made by a five person committee consisting of the most immediate five former Patriots of the Year.  The National Adjutant will prepare a ballot that will be sent to the committee. Each committee member will vote on his selection for National Patriot of the Year, and relay his selection to the National Adjutant.  The ballots will be secretly tallied by the National Adjutant.  During the Banquet Program at the National Convention, immediately following the Region Patriots of the Year awards, the National Patriot of the Year will be named.  The National Patriot of the Year will be awarded a single-struck medallion, a large plaque, and an o’er seas cap in white for him/her to wear without regard to office held.

          The Convention issue of the Purple Heart Magazine will include an article about the National Patriot of the Year with smaller articles on each of the Region Patriots of the Year to include photographs.

          Former Patriots of the Year will have special assigned seating at the banquet, if they attend, and will be recognized during the ceremonies.  They will not receive expenses.

          A downloadable form which can be filled in and submitted by email or printed and mailed is available here.