Florida governor, USCENTCOM commander pay tribute to Gen. Schwarzkopf

Photo By Sgt. Fredrick J. Coleman | The commander of U.S. Central Command, Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, and Florida Gov. Rick Scott presented Brenda Schwarzkopf a Great Floridian Award in honor of her husband, retired Army Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., during a ceremony here, June 11. Schwarzkopf spent most of his retired life supporting charities to include the Ronald McDonald House and Tampa Children’s Home. He and actor Paul Newman also founded Camp Boggy Creek, a yearround medical camp for children with serious illnesses. He passed away in December 2012 from health complications.  

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, FL, UNITED STATES

06.11.2013

Story by Sgt. Fredrick J. Coleman 

U.S. Central Command Public Affairs           

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Florida Gov. Rick Scott and the commander of U.S. Central Command, Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, recognized a former USCENTCOM commander for his selfless service and contributions to the state of Florida.

Army Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., was posthumously awarded the Great Floridian Award, an honor bestowed on only 66 other individuals since 1981. The award recognizes the outstanding achievements of men and women who have made significant contributions to the progress and welfare of Florida.

Gen. Schwarzkopf’s wife, Brenda, received the award for her husband who passed away in December 2012 from health complications.

“When retirement approached in 1991, ‘Norm’ and I had the opportunity to choose the next place we would call home. It didn’t take long for us to decide that staying here in the Tampa area was what we wanted to do,” said Brenda during the ceremony. “For quite some time, the Schwarzkopf family has been able to call Florida home and that makes receiving the Great Floridian Award that much nicer. Recognition such as this lets us know that he continues to be thought of and admired for the man he was and the contribution he made in his life.”

Schwarzkopf is best known for his role during Operation Desert Storm. Then-President George H.W. Bush selected Schwarzkopf in 1990 to become the allied forces commander in response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. He planned and executed the operation with a force of more than 700,000 American and coalition troops that drove the Iraqi Army out of Kuwait in early 1991.

But today’s award was for a lesser known side of the general’s passion – community service. He spent most of his retired life supporting charities to include the Ronald McDonald House and Tampa Children’s Home. He and actor Paul Newman also founded Camp Boggy Creek, a yearround medical camp for children with serious illnesses.

“Gen. Schwarzkopf didn’t know when and how to stop giving back to his country and his community,” said Scott during the ceremony. “He made a difference to the world and the world around him.”

Schwarzkopf joins a distinguished list of recipients, military and non-military, to receive the award. Past military recipients include Navy Capt. David McCambell, the Navy’s all-time leading ace with 34 aerial victories during World War II; Army Lt. Gen. James N. Gavin, a parachute infantry commander who played an integral role during the invasion of Normandy; and Army Lt. Gen. Albert H. Blanding, who led the attack on Germany’s Hindenburg line.

“Gen. Schwarzkopf, as you would imagine, is a legendary figure in these halls. I would argue that very few individuals have had as significant or as lasting an impact as he did, not only here, but throughout his long and distinguished career of service to our Army and to our nation,” said Austin during the ceremony.

• Date Taken: 06.11.2013
• Date Posted: 06.11.2013 19:11
• Story ID: 108487
• Location: MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, FL, US