Sparks, NV (PRWEB) May 16, 2014 - The [National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations' (NECO) awarded [Fatih Ozmen, Sierra Nevada Corporation's (SNC) CEO, the "Ellis Island Medal of Honor" at the 2014 Ellis Island Medals of Honor Ceremony on May 10, 2014 on Ellis Island, New York. The Ellis Island Medals of Honor are presented annually to American citizens who have distinguished themselves within their own ethnic groups, while exemplifying the values and spirit of the American way of life. Ozmen was recognized for his patriotism, and for his lifetime contributions to advancing the technology, aviation and aerospace industries through SNC, while maintaining the traditions and values of his Turkish heritage.

By Cemil Ozyurt - Turkish voices are heard in the community and we just want to show them how they have succeeded. I am very humble to say that it's possible to see all the colors of Anatolia on this list. In addition to having a Turkish heritage, the influential people have Armenian, Assyrian, Kurdish, Jewish, Bosnian, Cypriot, and Arabian heritages as well.     

Dr Mehmet Oz is a cardiologist, author, TV host, one of our most influential celebrities, and a true guide for Americans to lead healthier lives. He is a two-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning host, authored seven New York Times Best Sellers, was named Forbes’ #3 most influential celebrity (2010-11).

In February 2007, Yalçın Ayaslı founded the Turkish Coalition of America. Since 2009, the TCA has organized 16 Congressional Delegation trips to Turkey and has taken more than 155 members of Congress and senior staffers to Turkey and surrounding countries. Beside TCA, Serpil and Yalçın Ayaslı family founded the Washington, D.C.-based Turkish Cultural Foundation in 2000 to support cultural projects in Turkey and share Turkish culture with the rest of the world. The foundation began working with the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire to send American teachers to tour Turkey in 2007.