PUBLIC SERVANT/LE/FF/EMT/DISPATCHER/EOD

Public Servant Award Instructions 

Public Servant Award Entry Form 

District Participation Reports

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States realizes that duties performed in the fields of law enforcement and emergency services, whether carried out in public view with the ensuing public acclaim, or performed in ways which gain little public recognition, are both exemplary and of great value to the nation.  Each year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars honors a law enforcement officer, firefighter, dispatcher, and emergency medical technician (EMT), EOD  from each Department to receive the VFW National Gold Medal Award.

Emergency Medical Technician

Any individual who actively gives emergency medical treatment, provides rescue service or civil disaster assistance as a member of any public or volunteer company organized to give emergency medical care, provide rescue and civil disaster assistance to our nation’s citizens.

Law Enforcement

Any individual who serves in a municipal, county, state, or federal unit tasked with enforcement of the laws pertaining to their area of responsibility.  This award does not apply to individuals employed by private companies or security services.

Firefighters

Any individual who actively fights fires as a member of any public or volunteer company organized to fight fires and give assistance to our nation’s citizens.

CRITERIA:  Candidates must have demonstrated:

• Recognition by their colleagues or those they serve.

• Consistent excellence in the performance of their duties. Documentation is the key, such as awards, letters, newspaper coverage, TV coverage, etc.

• Consistent dedication to their official responsibilities over a period of years and continuous growth in responsibilities and skills within their profession.

HOW TO SUBMIT:  Nominee packets shall contain the following:

• Nomination letter containing the candidate’s name, title, address, telephone, and identifying the award for which the individual should be considered.

• One-page resume of the candidate’s overall background.

• One-page resume of the candidate’s background in their field.

• One-page listing of the candidate’s accomplishments and awards in their field.

• Photograph (preferably a head shot no larger than 3” x 4”) of the candidate (as Law Enforcement candidates may be undercover, photographs need not be recent).

• Written text should be in an easily readable font such as Calibri or Times New Roman and should be no less than 10 point and no more than 12 point in size.

• Keep your descriptions short and to the point. Try not to repeat information.

DEADLINES:  The following deadlines shall be adhered to:

• October 31, 2026 – Submissions due to Post Chairperson
• November 15, 2026 – Post winners submitted to District Chairperson
• January 1, 2027 – District winners submitted to Department
• February 1, 2027 – Department winners submitted to National

Post must submit one candidate to the District for judging.

AWARDS: Department awards are as follows:

• First place winners will receive the Law Enforcement, Firefighter, or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) National Gold Medal Award certificate along with a $500.00 monetary award.

The point of contact/chairperson for VFW Post 7143 is Jr Vice Commander, Joshua Mash, (814)-421-8677, joshua.mash@gmail.com