(ARA) - What do the owner of the New Orleans Saints, a Chicago lawyer, a legendary St. Louis Cardinal, and a U.S. Senator have in common? They all answered the call to service when their country needed them by donning the U.S. Navy uniform in World War II. These men, all four of whom went on to become leaders in business, youth education, law, sports and politics -- respectively, never forgot the values instilled in them by their service in the Navy: honor, courage and commitment.

Now, more than 60 years later, the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., is going to formally thank them. On October 29, the Navy Memorial will honor them with the Lone Sailor Award, which is given to Sea Service veterans who have distinguished themselves in their respective careers while exemplifying the core values of the Navy.

"These four men proudly wore the uniform of their country in a time of war, then achieved extraordinary success in a variety of careers in the public and private sector, but they never forgot the values they learned in the United States Navy," says Rear Adm. Richard A. Buchanan, USN (Ret.), president and CEO of the Navy Memorial. "They epitomize service over self and have never stopped 'giving back.' We are honored to recognize them as Sea Service veterans and legendary leaders in the worlds of industry, sports and politics."

Past Lone Sailor Award recipients include Arnold "Red" Auerbach, Ernest Borgnine, President George Herbert Walker Bush, President Gerald Ford, Rear Adm. Grace Hopper, Austin Kiplinger, Senator John Kerry, astronaut James Lovell, Senator John McCain, James Michener, Adm. Hyman Rickover, In 'n' Out Burger founder Esther Snyder, Roger Staubach, Jonathan Winters, Herman Wouk, and Adm. Elmo Zumwalt -- just to name a few.

As the owner of the New Orleans Saints, Tom Benson is one of the most trusted and respected leaders in the National Football League. Having served in the Navy in 1945, he was also a major contributor to the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., the National D-Day Museum in New Orleans and the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.

As a radar officer in a Navy aircraft squadron, Morgan L. Fitch Jr., Esq., survived two kamikaze attacks on escort carriers to which he was assigned in World War II. He is a founding partner at Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery, a leading patent law firm based in Chicago, Illinois. He is responsible for the creation of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, a national youth education program whose leaders now receive the prestigious Morgan Fitch Award.

Stan Musial, nicknamed "Stan the Man," played 22 seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1941 to 1963 with a career batting average of .311. He played in a record number of All-Star games (22) by the end of his career. He served in the Navy during World War II from 1945 to 1946, missing the 1945 season to serve as a seaman. He has also been a strong personal supporter of many St. Louis charities.

Sen. John Warner is a member of the select group of U.S. senators who served in the armed forces during the Second World War. He enlisted in the Navy in January 1945, shortly before his 18th birthday. He served until the following year, leaving as a petty officer third class. He then joined the Marine Corps in October 1950, after the outbreak of the Korean War, and served in Korea as a ground officer with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. He continued in the Marine Corps Reserves after the war, eventually reaching the rank of captain. He was elected to the Senate in 1978 and is the second-longest serving senator in Virginia's history.

Upon learning that he was selected to receive the Lone Sailor Award in 2007, Senator Warner noted: "The freedoms and blessings of American citizenship were attained through great sacrifice and were forged by generations who lived up to its responsibilities, which include defending liberty and protecting America's principles at home and abroad. As a veteran of modest service in World War II and Korea, I am humbled to be included in this tribute recognizing the contributions of so many in our Naval Services."

For more information on the U.S. Navy Memorial's Lone Sailor Awards Dinner, or for a list of award recipients, go to the Navy Memorial's Web site at www.navymemorial.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent