The West Point Society of the District of Columbia and the National Capital Region presents the Distinguished Member Award to West Point graduates who have made significant contributions to West Point, the West Point Society of the District of Columbia or to their community. The primary objective of this award is to recognize graduates whose outstanding qualities of character, distinguished service and stature draw wholesome comparison with the qualities that West Point strives for in keeping with its motto "Duty, Honor, Country" while making significant contributions to West Point, or to their class or our Society, or to their community.

As Public Affairs Officer LTC Farris has coordinated all public relations efforts for the West Point Society of D.C. One aspect of his efforts has been the publication of announcements of upcoming events in the National Capital Region, including membership newsletters and notices in local military newspapers informing area graduates of society luncheons and picnics, golf tournaments, Founder’s Day celebrations, and the annual Army-Navy Football Luncheon and Rally. His ability to disseminate this information in a timely manner has enabled the Society to attract sizeable numbers of graduates to these events and thus promote the goals of the Society in the Washington metropolitan area.

Before LTC Farris’ appointment to the Board of Governors, the Society did not publish a newsletter. LTC Farris initiated these newsletters, which are published approximately five times a year and have evolved not only into a summary of pertinent past, current and future activities of the Society, but include job-referral information for graduates leaving the service or changing jobs. Additionally, LTC Farris writes the bi-monthly report for Assembly with a summary of the Society’s activities in support of USMA and also has written feature articles for the magazine.

Through his initiative, the first Directory of Members of the Society was published in 1987, and LTC Farris has headed the dedicated efforts for this biennial publication since that time. He receives and, as needed, checks, verifies and edits the individual biographical information submitted by the approximately 1800 members of the Society. The close and frequent coordination required with the printer–for both the Directory and newsletters–necessitates numerous trips to their location throughout the year. He is diligent in ensuring that, as new members join the Society throughout the year, they receive their copy of the Directory. He also responds to numerous telephone and mail queries from graduates concerning membership in the Society or Society events, directing callers to other Board members as appropriate.

LTC Farris has been the individual responsible for receiving rsvp’s, setting up seating, and accommodating last-minute changes for our Society's events for the last 14 years. These efforts include coordinating the printing and mailing of notices to accompany the newsletters, receiving reservations and checks-which have numbered as many as 400-making name tags, assigning seating, being the first to arrive at each luncheon, setting up a table with name tags and seating lists, coordinating seating for "walk-in's" who have not made previous reservations, and acting as cashier for those paying at the door. His efficient and faithful handling of these arrangements has contributed much to the success of the function.

In these and other actions, LTC Farris has been a mainstay of the West Point Society of D.C. since his appointment to the Board of Governors in 1985. He has gone beyond the usual requirements of a Public Relations Officer in promoting and assisting in the activities of the West Point Society of D.C. Through his loyalty and dedication to West Point and the Society, he has consistently provided outstanding support to the members of the Society, and it is, therefore, fitting that the West Point Society of D.C. award Lieutenant Colonel Philip A. Farris, USA (Ret), USMA Class of 1946, the Distinguished Member Award.