From left are Tim Gillenwalters, Sam Howard, Doug Cochran, Evan Schaad, and Aaron Heiss. Staff at the Washington County Career Center received the General Rufus Putnam Award from the Washington County Veterans Service Commission on Tuesday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Bruce Haas and the Washington County Career Center Adult Technical Training Welding Program received the General Rufus Putnam Award on Tuesday.

At the Washington County Veterans Service Commission regular public meeting, the two recipients were acknowledged for various community efforts in displaying patriotic pride and American spirit.

“We wanted to award Bruce for his great contributions to the Americanism program (AMVETS) which teaches Americanism and patriotism with K-12 children in the community,” said Washington County Veterans Service Office Executive Director Darren Shearlock. “We really appreciate him helping educate our youth in that way.”

Commissioner Jared Smith accepted the award on behalf of Haas since Haas was unable to attend the ceremony.

Haas assisted with the implementation of AMVETS’ (American Veterans) National Americanism Program in Washington County public schools.

Tim Gillenwalters, left, and Jared Smith, right, accepted the General Rufus Putnam Award on behalf of the award winner Bruce Haas on Tuesday. Haas was recognized by the Washington County Veterans Service Commission for his patriotism and involvement in the community. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

The AMVETS program teaches students about American heritage and civics that instructors can incorporate into their classrooms. Haas has promoted the program and sought to teach students about American values and pride.

The welding program earned the award due to its commitment to the community by equipping students with practical and industrial skills. Through the program, students constructed frames for the Military Tribute Banners that can be found around downtown Marietta.

“They’re teaching valuable skills that will help many people get employment in the area and that employment will help benefit the whole community,” said Shearlock. “They’re not only teaching skills but also teaching patriotism and Americanism that’s built into the curriculum of their program.”

Staff at the Washington County Career Center, including Sam Howard, Doug Cochran, Aaron Heiss and Evan Schaad were present at the public meeting to be recognized for their award.

All of these men, along with Terry Pringle who wasn’t present at the ceremony, were involved in the welding program for the military tribute displays.

Darren Shearlock presented Washington County Career Center staff with a military challenge coin for the service they’ve done in the community on Tuesday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

“Our welding students were very happy to do it,” said Schaad. “Sometimes we think maybe students aren’t interested in these types of things but they are.”

Howard wanted to thank team members and managers at Lowe’s for the donations in wood and metal the career center received to complete the military displays in the spring.

“I got the ball rolling but I couldn’t have done this without Doug and Terry,” said Howard. “Each one of us brought certain things to the table.”

After brief discussion amongst the career center instructors and members of the commission, there are potential plans to construct displays for next year’s historic celebrations.

The commission also said other communities are looking into doing similar Americanism programs.

The General Rufus Putnam Award for community member Bruce Haas who was recognized by the Washington County Veterans Service Commission on Tuesday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

“It’s awesome that Beverly-Waterford is looking into this and other communities as well,” said Heiss, the career center’s Industrial Customized Training Manager. “Hopefully this could be replicated.”

The General Rufus Putnam Award was named after Gen. Putnam who is recognized as a Revolutionary War hero and pioneer. Putnam represented patriotism through his leadership in establishing Marietta as the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory in 1788.

The General Rufus Putnam Award for the Career Center Adult Technical Training Welding Program that was recognized by the Washington County Veterans Service Commission on Tuesday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)