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WASHINGTON D.C. (April 16, 2008) - A jack of many trades and
master of the deadpan delivery, Ben Stein yesterday added one more
title to a list that already includes actor, economist, educator
and writer: that of exceptional public servant.
For his contributions to the men and women of the armed forces,
Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England presented Stein with the
Office of the Secretary of Defense's Exceptional Public Service
Award during a ceremony at the Pentagon.
The award also was presented to Bonnie Carroll, chairman and
founder of TAPS, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. TAPS is
a national organization for all those who have lost a loved one
serving in the military.
"We don't have too many opportunities in the building to really
recognize great Americans who are hugely supportive of this
building and our military," England said. "You both have been
absolute yeomen in supporting the [military], and this is our day
to say, 'Thank you for your great work on behalf of our military
members and their families.'"
Stein, perhaps best known for his role as the monotone economics
teacher in the hit movie, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," has written
books and screenplays, studied law and shed light on injustices in
American society. He's also no stranger to Washington and politics,
having served as a speechwriter for presidents Nixon and Ford,
though he makes it clear in his biography that he did not write the
line, "I am not a crook."
He's also a fervent supporter of the military, and despite his
iconic status, his comments often belie the humility he feels for
individuals who wear the uniform and their families.
"My work is incredibly trivial and unimportant compared with
their work," Stein said. "My whole 63 years, [what I've done is]
not as important as what a man or a woman going out on patrol in
Basra or Ar Ramadi or An Nasiriyah does in five minutes, maybe five
seconds."
One of his latest public acts of gratitude to the military is
the book "The Real Stars." It's an answer to a question Stein, who
has a home in Malibu, Calif., hears frequently regarding living
among the real stars. His verbal answer to askers is that he
doesn't live among the real stars, but highly paid
entertainers.
Stein admitted receiving the award was an honor, but he
continued to deflect the gratitude back at the servicemembers and
their families.
"[What I do for the military,] it's nothing compared to what the
military does for me," he said. "People whine and moan about their
taxes. People whine and moan about jury duty -- I must say I try my
best to get out of it -- but the people who give their lives and
the families left behind,what could we possibly do to recognize
them adequately?
"There's nothing we can do to recognize them adequately," Stein
said, answering his own question. "There is no adequate way that we
can thank [the military], and we are just at your feet and in deep,
deep, deep gratitude."
While nothing may serve as an adequate thank you to the
servicemembers who make the ultimate sacrifice, Stein, who serves
as a TAPS honorary board member, said the organization works hard
to take care of the families left behind. The group's founder,
Carroll, agrees.
"Families who have lost a loved one serving in the armed forces
have made a tremendous sacrifice," she said. "Through TAPS, we've
come together to help each other heal, to remember the life and the
love that we've lost.
"Our loved ones died, but they [also] lived, and they made an
incredible contribution," Carroll added. "They served with pride,
and we are proud of them today."
She knows that all too well. Her husband, Army National Guard
Brig. Gen. Tom Carroll, was killed in 1992 when his military plane
crashed. Seven other soldiers lost their lives in that crash.
The ceremony at the Pentagon concluded just hours before Carroll
and her TAPS organization honored Stein at the inaugural TAPS Honor
Guard Gala in Washington. On behalf of TAPS, Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen presented the TAPS Honor
Guard Award to Stein for his support of the organization and its
families.
TAPS is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense
Department program connecting citizens and companies with
servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
Editor's Note: Military families can also avail
themselves of the Defense Department's America Supports You
program, which highlights home-front groups across the nation that
are providing a variety of services and support to troops and their
families. A listing of these groups and information about their
efforts is available at www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil.
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