Pritzker Military Library

The Ninth Annual Liberty Gala was an evening of celebration, of solemnity, of camaraderie, and of honor for those who have partnered with the Library to further its mission. Held on Oct. 27 at the historic Hilton Chicago, the Pritzker Military Library’s 2012 Liberty Gala gathered more than 400 Library supporters, including active military and their guests, veterans, historians, journalists, and community leaders. They partook in an unforgettable evening that raised over $500,000 for the Library to forward its work preserving and sharing the story of the Citizen Soldier.

The Gala began with an elegant cocktail reception and was followed by dinner and a program that highlighted for guests the Library’s commitment to supporting scholarship. Dr. Waitman Beorn, the Library’s first Scholar-in-Residence, spoke about his work researching and writing on the groundbreaking career of General William P. Levine, who as commander of the 85^th Division of the U.S. Army Reserve, was one of the highest-ranking Jewish officers in the Army Reserves. His wife, Rhoda, and son, John, were able to attend the Gala and receive recognition for his service.

Young scholars were also represented by Estaban Hurtado from Rowe-Clark Math and Science Academy in Chicago. An energetic and articulate spokesperson, Estaban took the stage with fellow students to talk about the research he had conducted at the Library for his history class.

Col. Pritzker then awarded the Founder’s Award, which is given in recognition of service both to the Library and to the country. Honored in 2012 were Albert Ratner, business leader and philanthropist, whose Cleveland-based construction firm has built over 14,000 residences in eight states for American service members on active duty; and the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, which works to raise awareness of Medal of Honor recipients, and advocates for the values embodied by America’s highest military award. CEO General Thomas Wilkerson accepted the Founder’s Award on behalf of the CMOHF.

One of the most prestigious honors in the field of military scholarship is awarded at each year’s Gala, The Pritzker Military Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing. Given in conjunction with the Tawani Foundation, the 2012 award was presented to Sir Max Hastings, one of the foremost living journalists and historians of warfare and military history. He received the award in the presence of four previous winners—Allan Millett, Gerhard Weinberg, Rick Atkinson, and Carlo D’Este.

Many individuals and companies worked together to make the Liberty Gala a huge success. The Library thanks all donors, attendees, and sponsors (see a partial list on this page). Special thanks go to all the active duty military guests, Musician 3^rd Class Michelle Werner, USN, 3^rd Mission Command Training Brigade, 75^th Training Command, USAR, the 2012 Liberty Gala Host Committee led by Corporate Chair, Northern Trust, represented by Mark De Vries and Steve MacLellan. Committee members also included Library board member, John W. Rowe, and Jeanne M. Rowe, Vince and Gabriela Cordos, Peder Dahlberg and Gloria Balague-Dahlberg, Craig J. Duchossois, Mary Galvin, Colette Holt, Karen L. Pritzker and Michael K. Vlock, Mayari Pritzker, Audrey and Albert Ratner, and Captain Dave Truitt.