Cardinal Edwin O'Brien is current Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI in August 2011.  Originally from New York, Cardinal O’Brien has shown a commitment and dedication to American men and women in uniform throughout his life.

As a young priest in 1965, Cardinal O’Brien served as a civilian chaplain at the United States Military Academy at West Point until 1970, when he became an Army chaplain with the rank of captain. He went on to serve as chaplain at Fort Bragg in North Carolina with the 82nd Division (1970–71), and in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade and 1st Cavalry Brigade (1971–72).  Following his tour in Vietnam, Cardinal O’Brien was a post chaplain at Fort Gordon in Georgia.  After earning a doctorate in Sacred Theology and serving in a number of leadership roles within the Catholic Church, Cardinal O’Brien returned to minister to the U.S. Armed Forces as Archbishop for the Military Services from 1997 to 2007 where he spoke out in support of the moral integrity of our military personnel and the importance of deploying our military responsibility.  

In June 2007, Pope Benedict appointed O’Brien the 15th Archbishop of Baltimore, a position he held until moving to Rome in May 2012.

Cardinal O'Brien will be presented with the Legacy of Service Award at the 2012 Build The Center Benefit Gala.  For more information on how to attend, please visit:  http://www.buildthecenter.vvmf.org/pages/gala