Franks is a native of Wynnewood, Okla., whose long and distinguished military career has taken him from one world hot spot to another. Along the way, he earned five Distinguished Service Medals, four Legions of Merit, four Bronze Stars and three Purple Hearts, in addition to numerous foreign awards. He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) by order of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on May 25, 2004. President George W. Bush awarded Franks the nation's highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, on Dec. 14, 2004.

"The experiences of General Franks and the men and women who served under him are an important piece of our history. We hope you will make plans to join us to learn more about his illustrious military career," said Mary Kate Heltzel, Noble Foundation granting program officer and chair of the Profiles and Perspectives Committee.

Since his retirement in 2003, Franks has been traveling the world speaking on leadership, character and the value of democracy. His autobiography, American Soldier, reached number one on the New York Times best-seller list in August 2004. Franks serves on the board of directors of the National Park Foundation and the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Foundation. He is an advisor to the Central Command Memorial Foundation and the Military Child Education Coalition, and is a spokesman for the Salute America's Heroes Foundation and the Southeastern Guide Dogs Organization.

Franks and his wife, Cathryn Carley Franks, have one daughter, who is married to a military officer, and three grandchildren. The Franks divide their time between their home in Tampa, Fla., and their ranch in Roosevelt, Okla.

The next Profiles and Perspectives event will be on Wednesday, Oct. 12, when the community is invited to help celebrate the Noble Foundation's 60th anniversary. The activities will begin at 5 p.m. on the Foundation's Ardmore campus with facility walking tours starting every 15 minutes. A reception will be held prior to the evening program, which begins at 7 p.m. During the program, Noble Foundation President Michael A. Cawley will present a history and overview of the Foundation, followed by brief descriptions of current projects by Agricultural Division Director Wadell Altom, Plant Biology Division Director Dr. Richard Dixon and Forage Improvement Division Director Dr. Joe Bouton.

All Profiles and Perspectives programs are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Noble Foundation at (580) 223-5810 or visit www.noble.org/profiles.

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Photos:
	Gen. Tommy Franks

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The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation (www.noble.org), headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a nonprofit organization conducting agricultural, forage improvement and plant biology research; providing grants to non-profit charitable, educational and health organizations; and assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs.