Army veteran Sgt. Wilburn K. Ross, a resident of DuPont, and Kent resident Lt. Col. Joe Jackson, a career officer in the United States Air Force, were featured speakers at the dedication ceremonies. Ross, a retired Master Sergeant, was issued the Medal of Honor in 1945 for his extraordinary bravery during repeated German assaults at his post near St. Jacques, France.  Col. Jackson, a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, distinguished himself as a pilot during the Vietnam War.  He was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1969 for a dangerous impromptu rescue operation of comrades. Joining them was The Rev. Dr. Francis Jeffrey, National Chaplain Emeritus of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, who delivered the invocation and benediction.

Retired Maj. Gen. Edward L. Trobaugh, commander of the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division from 1983-1985, served as master of ceremonies.  He credits retired Lt. Col. Bruce McKenty for being the instigator and leader of the effort to dedicate the signature hole to Medal of Honor recipients. Both men serve on the board of directors for Friends of American Lake Veterans Golf Course, the facility’s fund-raising arm. McKenty also serves as manager of the course and as Northwest United States Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

All nine holes at American Lake Veterans Golf Course are dedicated to various military medals, with special markers denoting the recognition for those heroes who have served and sacrificed.

The Medal of Honor is bestowed on members of the United States armed forces who distinguish themselves by their individual gallantry.  Since the decoration’s inception in 1861, the President of the United States, on behalf of Congress, has only awarded more than 3,400 Medals of Honor. 

About American Lake Veterans Golf Course
American Lake Veterans Golf Course is the nation’s only golf course designed specifically for the rehabilitation of wounded and disabled veterans. The facility is operated, maintained and managed by more than 160 volunteers. 

ALVGC is situated on 377 acres in Lakewood, Washington, near Tacoma and Seattle, and nearby Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) and VA Puget Sound Health Care System, American Lake Division.
In 2004, volunteers established the Friends of American Lake Veterans Golf Course, a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, to assist with improvements, repairs, care and maintenance of the course. Largely through their efforts, an 8,400-square- foot Rehabilitation and Training Center was built and opened earlier this year. 

The “Friends” recently launched a campaign to expand the course from nine holes to 18. Legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus, Nicklaus Design, donated design services, a gift valued at $500,000.  The group hopes to raise $3 million to cover construction costs of the “new nine” and enhancements to improve accessibility of the original nine holes. 

Nicklaus and other supporters of ALVGC say it could become a prototype that can be replicated across the country. Among its benefits, it provides a much-needed mental and physical rehabilitation and recreational outlet where the growing influx of wounded and disabled warriors can regain hope, strength and confidence in a positive, therapeutic and accepting social environment.