The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes presented its 2021 President’s Award for Lifetime Achievement to the Honorable Robert A. McDonald ’75, 8th Secretary of Veterans Affairs and retired Chairman, President and CEO of Procter & Gamble, for his leadership in creating long-term economic opportunities that allow transitioning service members, veterans, military spouses, and caregivers to thrive in their careers. “His commitment to our heroes continues through his advocacy for veterans transitioning to civilian life” said President Barack Obama in a November 17, 2021 letter congratulating McDonald. View this congratulatory message from President George W. Bush.
In his acceptance speech, McDonald said he is not done working to make the world a better place. “If we want to maintain this fragile experiment called a democracy, we need to do more,” he said. “We need to never leave the arena; we need to make sure we tell the critic who is outside the arena to get in with us, and we all need to collectively make sure we keep fighting because we can’t stop—this is too important.”
In 2017, McDonald was named a West Point Distinguished Graduate, and just last month, was elected to lead WPAOG as its next Chairman of the Board. Read More