ARMED FORCES SALUTED AMERICAN VETERAN AWARDS LAUD PATRIOTISM.

Byline: Sandra Barrera Staff Writer

BEVERLY HILLS - Military personnel and glimmering celebrities joined forces Friday night to salute those who have supported the nation's armed forces.

The American Veteran Awards, an annual gathering of stars and military brass, swelled this year with the patriotic pride that has swept the country since Sept. 11, and the black-tie crowd praised those who fight in the trenches for the nation.

The show being taped for broadcast to the troops honored supporters of the military from Hollywood and beyond - with the most prestigious honor, the Veteran of the Year Award, presented to actor and Vietnam veteran Dennis Franz of television's ``NYPD Blue.''

Franz, known more for his detective work on the hit show than his service in the Army in Vietnam, beamed over the honor.

``I was proud to have been there. I was proud to have served. To be honored now is flattering,'' said the four-time Emmy award-winning actor as participants gathered for a reception before the start of the taping.

``Needless to say the effects of Sept. 11 have hit the entire country very hard, and I think that makes this event all the sweeter,'' he said ``There's a sense of patriotism in our country right now and it's very clear it's at an all time high, certainly in my lifetime. I can only hope we will always remember not to take our freedom for granted.''

Now in its seventh year, the awards show was created to promote patriotism during peacetime.

But with the nation now waging a war on terrorism, Friday's show at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel provided a chance to lift spirits.

Awards were given to the military's most visible supporters from the world of entertainment, media, politics, corporations and armed forces.

First lady Laura Bush was named Woman of Honor for her moral character and her unwavering support of the troops. Unable to attend Friday's taping, she was expected to accept her award during a taped from the White House.

Actor Robert De Niro was given the Audie Murphy Theatrical Award, named for the decorated WWII GI who became a Hollywood star, changing the way Americans view the military through his roles.

De Niro was also honored as part of the cast of Best Patriotic Picture ``Men of Honor,'' a movie inspired by the real-life story of the Navy's first African-American master chief diver.

Sam Donaldson, a veteran of both the Army and ABC News, was presented with the Ernie Pyle Journalism award for embodying the spirit of the slain World War II reporter, whose work helped to link men on the battlefield with their loved ones back home.

Another Army veteran, Hal Linden, was given the National Veteran Salute Award.

During the pre-taping reception, the ``Barney Miller'' star joked that he was honored for his public service work, not his time in the service where he was a corporal.

Still, the Linden issued a reminder of the importance of those who fight for the country.

``It wasn't too long ago that we ignored our firefighters and our police, and now all of a sudden we honor them. The same thing with our armed forces. We don't think about them until we need them,'' Linden said. ``And the good is, that when we do need them, they're there. I think that's what makes tonight so special.'''

Additional award recipients were the Disabled Veterans Charities (Ernest Borgnine Award), the Boeing Co. (Best Patriotic Commercial Award) and the American Association of Retired People (Corporate Patriotism Award).

Jack Valenti, the Motion Picture Association of America chief, was selected to present Franz with the show's Veteran of the Year Award, given to a veteran who embodies the virtues of the military through personal or professional work.

Franz, who served 11 months in Vietnam, was honored.

``This is a validation of the experience I had in Vietnam. It was not a popular conflict to be a part of at the time when I returned in 1970,'' he said. ``It's one I would never exchange for anything in the world.''

Stars gathered before the taping to send off greetings to the troops, and a range of celebrities were on hand to show support.

Entertainer Michael Bolton was to contribute songs to the show, and actors from Gary Sinise to Mickey Rooney were among those gathered.

``I believe we owe a great deal to the men and women who put on the uniforms and do the dirty work,'' Sinise said. ``We're grateful to the guys who get down in the trenches.''

The American Veteran Awards will air Feb. 10 on The History Channel and worldwide at military bases on the Armed Forces Radio & Television Network.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Actor Dennis Franz was named Veteran of the Year at the American Veteran Awards show Friday evening in Beverly Hills. A star of the television police drama ``NYPD Blue,'' Franz served in the military in Vietnam for 11 months.

(2) Ex-Secretary of Defense William Cohen and his wife, Janet, speak to the media at the awards.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer