Courtesy of NLUS member Patty Parks
In a small ceremony, Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey proclaimed Wednesday, March 25, 2009 as Medal of Honor Day. The action localizes a Congressional move in 2007 which designated March 25th of each year as National Medal of Honor Day, a day dedicated to Medal of Honor recipients.
March 25th was chosen to highlight this observance as it was on that date in 1863 the very first Medals of Honor - the nation’s highest military award for bravery and valor - were presented.
During our nation’s past, some 40,000,000 men and women have served in the armed forces, but only 3,448 of those have received the Medal of Honor. The medal is awarded for gallantry above and beyond the call of duty which includes risk of life while engaged in action against a U.S. enemy. Such is the nature of the Medal’s criteria that since 1900 70% of the Medals of Honor awarded have been posthumous. Of living recipients only 98 are alive today: 24 from World War II; 14 from Korea & 60 from Vietnam.
Americans are encouraged to commemorate Medal of Honor recipients through actions such as these:
- Fly the American flag
- Send a “Thank You” card to a living recipient
- Notify local media and or private publications
- Offer to do a special program at local schools or civic organization.
Above all, remember America’s military heroes and spread the word about the sacrifices they made for our freedom.
Point of Contact: Patty Parks
Volunteer Director
National Medal of Honor Museum
Home: 423-326-0839
email: pattyjoparks@yahoo.com
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