ARLINGTON, Va., March 25, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- Medal of Honor Recipients commemorated National Medal of
Honor Day with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery today. Afterwards, the
Recipients presented their 2017 Citizen Honors Awards to five
outstanding Americans and the Fisher House Foundation.
"On National Medal of Honor Day we are humbled to lead the
Nation in recognizing those who have sacrificed and honorably
fought to defend our freedom," said Tom
Kelley, Medal of Honor Recipient and president of the
Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
"We have heroes among us everyday wherever we live," added
Kelley. "Our Citizen Honors recipients set an important example for
all Americans to emulate through their courage and service that
help strengthen our communities and Nation."
The Citizen Honors Award is the Congressional Medal of Honor
Society's highest award. The awards presentation was held at Joint
Base Myer-Henderson Hall.
The 2017 Citizen Honors recipients are:
- Jacob Ellis of Columbia, Missouri and Adam Brunk of Holts
Summit, Missouri, were selected for their courageous act on
August 21, 2016, when they rescued
two people injured in a traffic accident. Ellis and Brunk freed the
accident victims just before their car was engulfed in fire.
- Molly Hudgens of Ashland City, Tennessee, was selected for her
courageous act on September 29, 2016,
when she prevented a 14-year old middle school student from
shooting teachers and administrators at Sycamore Middle School.
Hudgens spoke with the student for 45 minutes until he agreed to
surrender. No shots were fired during the incident.
- Travis Ellis of Senoia, Georgia, was selected for his selfless
service in support of veterans through his work with Shepherd's
Men, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness and funds to
support post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries among
service members. Ellis' efforts support the patients at the SHARE
Military Initiative at Shepherd Center, a PTS and TBI rehab
program.
- Katelyn Ibarra of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, was selected for
the Society's Youth Hero Award for her heroism in assisting several
citizens injured in a traffic accident. Before emergency medical
professionals arrived, Ibarra provided critical first-aid
assistance and removed injured passengers from the immediate
accident scene. Ibarra was trained in first aid through the Girl
Scouts of Colorado.
- Fisher House Foundation of Rockville,
Maryland, was selected for its steadfast support of American
service members and their families. Fisher House Foundation is best
known for their extensive network of comfort homes where military
and veterans' families can stay at no cost while a loved one
receives critical medical treatment. Fisher Houses are located on
24 military installations and 29 VA medical centers around the
world. Since its inception in 1990, Fisher House Foundation
has supported more than 307,000 families.
Through their Citizen Honors Awards and the Medal of Honor
Character Development Program the Recipients educate and inspire
Americans to embody the values in the Medal of Honor: courage and
sacrifice, commitment and integrity, citizenship and patriotism. To
advance these initiatives, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society
will also donate six new Medal of Honor Recipient oral histories to
the Veterans History Project managed by the Library of Congress
later today.
"We are donating these gifts to the Veterans History Project on
Medal of Honor Day because we want all Americans to know the
sacrifices that have been made on behalf of our nation," said
Kelley. "By donating these oral histories to the Library of
Congress, all Americans can access and learn more about those who
courageously served America in the Armed Forces," said Kelley.
The Medal of Honor is the Nation's highest military honor,
presented to Recipients for valor above and beyond the call of duty
in combat. President Lincoln
signed the Medal of Honor into law in 1861. Since then, 3,496
people have been awarded the Medal. Currently, there are 75 living
Recipients Medal of Honor.
For more information about the Citizen Honors Award or the Medal
of Honor and its Recipients, visit the Congressional Medal of Honor
Foundation website at http://themedalofhonor.com.
About the Congressional Medal of Honor Society:
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society was chartered
by the Congress in 1958 to create a brotherhood among the living
Medal of Honor recipients, to protect and uphold the dignity and
honor of the Medal, to promote patriotism and love of country, and
to inspire our youth to become worthy and dedicated citizens of our
nation. Its membership consists exclusively of those individuals
who have received the Medal of Honor. Today, there are 75 living
recipients of the Medal of Honor. The Society is unique in that its
membership hopes that there will be no need to welcome new
inductees.
About the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation:
The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation was
founded in 1999 by the Congressional Medal of Honor
Society to perpetuate the legacy of the Medal. Through
character development, scholarship and citizen recognition programs
based on the values embodied in the Medal — courage, sacrifice,
selfless service and patriotism — the Foundation teaches all
citizens that they can make a difference in the lives of others.
The Foundation also supports the important work of
the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. A 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization with Tax ID #25-1828488, the Foundation
carries a rating of 4/4 stars for fiscal management, accountability
and transparency from Charity Navigator, America's premiere
nonprofit evaluator.
Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation
Contact: Eugenia Gardner,
202-390-0405
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SOURCE Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation