This year, we celebrate two important anniversaries: One hundred years since the establishment of Czechoslovakia and twenty-five years of the existence of the Slovak Republic. Both of these historic milestones are connected to a strong and friendly relationship between our peoples and countries. The contribution of the Slovak Americans, as well as their American compatriots, including President Woodrow Wilson, to the creation of Czechoslovakia in 1918 will always be remembered and appreciated.

The United States played a key role in assisting our young Republic on its way to the trans-Atlantic community after the breakdown of the iron curtain. Slovakia’s transformation and integration process that has brought upon an unprecedented level of freedom, security and prosperity was substantially supported from this side of the Atlantic. Therefore, when we commemorate the anniversary of the creation of the Slovak Republic of 1993, we also recognize the significance of the establishment of strong Slovak-American relations for our national emancipation and success.

On this occasion, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to the United States, H.E. Ivan Korčok, awarded personalities and an organization who have significantly contributed to the development of the Slovak-American relations with a commemorative medal bearing the name of the twenty-eighth President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson. The awardees include:

Jan T. Vilček & Marica Vilček

Founders of the Vilcek Foundation

Mary MacPherson

President & CEO of the Slovak-American Foundation

Ľuboš Pástor

Professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Peter Bondra

Former NHL Player & Slovak National Team leader

Cecilia F. Rokusek

President & CEO at National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library

Friends of Slovakia

Represented by Amb. (Ret.) Theodore E. Russell & Joseph T. Senko