Elkhart—Today Congressman Joe Donnelly presented Elkhart County Veterans Service Officer Gary Whitehead with the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) Patriot Award at Elkhart City Hall. The CMP’s Patriot Award recognizes outstanding citizens for their contributions to our country.
“Gary Whitehead is the definition of a patriot, and I am proud to present him with the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s Patriot Award,” said Congressman Donnelly. “After serving his country in the Navy for more than twenty years, he served his fellow Elkhart County veterans for over two decades more. I cannot think of a more deserving veteran for this award.”
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve the veterans of Elkhart County,” Whitehead said. “Working with veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the hospitals in Fort Wayne, Marion, and Indianapolis all these years has been great. I could not have had a better job.”
Whitehead was born and raised in Elkhart County. A year after graduating from Goshen High School, Whitehead enlisted in the United States Navy in 1965, entering active duty shortly thereafter in early 1966. During his Naval career, he served in a variety of capacities, including three years on the USS Allen M. Sumner, which included a deployment to Vietnam; as a personnel officer for the Underwater Demolition Team Twelve, who also assisted in commissioning the first Navy F-14 Fighter Squadron; as the Training Coordinator for the Navy’s Diving Schools; and another three years on the USS Patterson before finally retiring from the Indianapolis Navy Recruiting District in July 1986.
Immediately after retiring from the Navy in August 1986, Whitehead joined the Elkhart County Veterans Office. He has been the Elkhart County Veterans Service Officer since January 1988, and is retiring this year. He has been involved in representing and advancing veterans’ issues within the community and throughout the state, having served on a variety of committees, including Congressman Donnelly’s Veterans Advisory Committee. He was also instrumental in working with Congressman Donnelly to establish the VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Goshen.
The CMP is a national organization dedicated to training and educating U.S. citizens in responsible uses of firearms and air guns through gun safety training, marksmanship training and competitions. The CMP is a federally chartered 501(c)(3) corporation that places its highest priority on serving youth through gun safety and marksmanship activities that encourage personal growth and build life skills. CMP history goes back to late 19th century efforts by U.S. military and political leaders to strengthen our country’s national defense capabilities by improving the rifle marksmanship skills of members of the Armed Forces.
The Patriot Award is represented by the presentation of an M1 Garand, the rifle that, along with the G.I. and Rosie the Riveter, won WWII. Congressman Donnelly presented the rifle to Gary Whitehead along with Charlie Maddox. Maddox, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the CMP, is a former Paratrooper and Korean War veteran. He also serves as the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army Emeritus.
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