Letter from the Founder

Tom Boyle founder letterAmerican Patriot Memorial Education & Community logo
Founder\'s Note

The Pivot

The Pivot — America Rebuilds

American Patriot Award Pin — Pin Right

American Patriot Award Pin

A Proclamation of Patriotism — Presented Annually by American Patriot Memorial. The American Patriot Award Pin is a formal, public recognition of patriotism expressed through service, sacrifice, leadership, and community impact. Presented by American Patriot Memorial (APM)—in partnership with the City of Tucson, the City of South Tucson (Patriot City), and Pima County—this award honors an individual whose actions have earned the respect of the community and reflect the enduring American spirit. This is not a product and not an order. It is a proclamation—a once-a-year honor presented in front of community leaders, partner organizations, and families.

The Pin: Meaning, Materials, and Symbolism

The American Patriot Award Pin was designed to represent personal sacrifice and the soul of the one lost.

14-karat gold casing  ·  Ruby-faceted simulated gemstone — representing blood and personal sacrifice

Pure amethyst (plum) — representing the soul of the lost one. Together, these elements form a wearable emblem of remembrance, gratitude, and civic honor.

Size and Wearability

Because of its size, the pin is designed to be worn in multiple ways. Dimensions: 19 mm long  ·  6 mm wide. Worn as a lapel pin, necklace, on a ring, or on a watch.

The Annual Dinner: A Public Presentation of Honor. Each year, APM will host an annual dinner to present the American Patriot Award Pin to a selected honoree.

The honoree may be

A child  ·  A mother or father  ·  A Gold Star family member  ·  A veteran  ·  A community member of any age. The central requirement is simple: the individual has earned respect through demonstrated patriotism—through action, service, sacrifice, and leadership.

Numbered, Recorded, and Recognized

Each pin is part of a permanent legacy. Every annual award is numbered.

The award is recorded as a hallmark of patriotism representing the Cities and County Gold Star Family Brass Monument — Permanent Public Record. The American Patriot Award Pin will establish a lasting record through the Gold Star Family Brass Monument, created by Pima County and displayed in the Gold Star Family Park.

This monument will recognize

The names of patriots who have achieved this honor. The name of the lost family member connected to the sacrifice being recognized.

Inscription (Presented at the Time of Award): When the pin is presented, it may be inscribed to reflect the honor and the sacrifice being recognized, including the name of the lost family member.

Learn More / Participate

If you would like to support the annual dinner, partner with APM, or learn more about the American Patriot Award Pin and its presentation, contact us:

[email protected]

520-427-0611

Support the Annual Dinner & the Mission

Your support makes it possible to honor those who have given the most. The Annual Dinner is more than an event—it is a public declaration of gratitude, remembrance, and community strength. Together, we ensure that sacrifice is never forgotten and patriotism is always celebrated.

Patriot Press

American Patriot Press logo

American Patriot Press

ArizonaSeptember 2nd, 2026

APM STUDENT COUNCIL LAUNCHED!

Mabel Lopez

September 2, 2026

American Patriot Press is building a youth newsroom where students learn, report, and share stories about civic life, service, and community pride.

APM Launches the Patriot Press

The official communication tool
of American Patriot Memorial

American Patriot Press monitor
Southern Arizona Youth Leadership and APM’s Youth Pivot

At Trident Restaurant at Fort Lowell and Swan, Thomas Boyle and General Ted Maxwell, who oversees the Southern Arizona Youth Leadership Program affiliated with Pima Community College, shared a formal luncheon centered on the theme “Youth Must Be Served.” The gathering marked a ceremonial moment of recognition for youth leadership and civic responsibility, and it reflected the shared conviction that communities strengthen themselves when they invest in young people. At the close of the luncheon, the American Patriot Memorial establishment was recognized at Trident in a gesture that underscored the partnership and the purpose behind APM’s youth pivot.

This meeting highlighted the importance of civic-minded collaboration, public service, and intergenerational leadership. It also reflected APM’s continuing commitment to advancing opportunities for youth through partnerships that honor community values, strengthen civic identity, and serve the next generation with dignity and purpose.
Ted and Tom at Building

Youth-led. Service-driven. Patriot-built.

American Patriot Memorial

American Patriot Memorial location and meeting space

Media Inquiries

Press & Media Contact

Journalists, bloggers, and media professionals are welcome to reach out for interviews, press materials, or story inquiries.

Diverse group of young Patriots ages 9 to 20 wearing APM logo t-shirts, standing together outdoors with an American Patriot Memorial logo flag flying on a flagpole

Ready to make a difference?

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American Patriot Memorial 1809 South 6th Avenue Tucson, AZ 85713