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Congressional Medal of HonorFebruary 2011 A Tribute to America’s HeroesAbraham Lincoln once said, “Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure.” This year, 2011, marks 150 years since President Lincoln signed into law an Act establishing the Medal of Honor. At the time, the Civil War raged...it would go on with horrific intensity and loss of life for another four years. The Medal of Honor would become the primary means for recognizing the notable deeds of Union troops. The Medal has evolved dramatically since that early era to where it is now considered to be the ultimate symbol of courage and sacrifice by those who serve in uniform and defend our freedoms. It stands at the top of a “pyramid of honor” as our nation’s highest award for valor in combat. Those who have received this prestigious honor, most ordinary men from all parts of our country and walks of life, found within them the courage to deal with an extraordinary situation and prevail under the most extreme circumstances. Sadly, more than 60 percent of those who have received the Medal since the beginning of World War II received it posthumously. To commemorate this notable sesquicentennial event, the Foundation has partnered with Belmont International, Inc. to publish MEDAL OF HONOR 150 Years of Courage and Sacrifice. It is our intention that this publication will reinforce the spirit of freedom that so many Americans have fought and died for and help perpetuate the legacy of the Medal of Honor and its recipients who have contributed so much to our nation and its way of life through their selfless acts of courage. We are confident that everyone who reads this publication will find the information about what the Medal of Honor represents to be enriching and insightful. We are proud to celebrate this anniversary commemorating 150 years of courage and sacrifice by those who have defended the Republic through the generations and continue to do so today with the same spirit of courage and sacrifice as those who preceded them. |
