The National Guard has recognized Sen. Jonathan Paton for his exceptional and outstanding dedication to military issues at the Arizona Legislature. He recently received the Patrick Henry Award, the civilian counterpart to the Distinguished Service Medal, at a conference in Nashville, Tenn.

“I have always been guided by duty, honor and country, as a soldier and in the halls of the Capitol,” Paton said. “It is truly a privilege to be recognized in this way by my fellow citizen soldiers.”

The Patrick Henry Award is designed to provide recognition to local officials and civic leaders, who in a position of great responsibility distinguished themselves with outstanding and exceptional service to the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard.

Paton is a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves and served as an intelligence officer involved in operations throughout Iraq. His tour of duty ended in February 2007.