FORT BRAGG, N.C. - The Patriot Foundation held its 6th Annual Soldier Appreciation Dinner at the National Golf Club in Pinehurst, N.C., Sept. 16.

The foundation provides support to the families of soldiers in the 82nd Airborne Division, XVIII Airborne Corps, U.S. Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg Warrior Transition Battalion and the Survivors Outreach Program.

More than $500,000 will be donated this year to the various organizations, said Chuck Deleot, Patriot Foundation president and chairman of the board. He went on to say the mark of any person is what kind of impact they have on others.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno was recognized as the 2011 Patriot Honoree.

"The strength of our nation is our Army. The strength of our Army is our soldiers. The strength of our soldiers is our families, and that's what makes us 'Army Strong,'" said Odierno.

Distinguished military guests included Gen. Buck Kernan, the former commanding general of the Joint Forces Command; Lt. Gen. Bob Wilson, the former commanding general of the Army Installation Command; Maj. Gen. Rodney O. Anderson; the deputy commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps; Maj. Gen. James L. Huggins, the commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division; and Brig. Gen. Kevin Magnum, the commanding general of the Army Special Operations Aviation Command.

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