Documents

Stakeholders Report: The 2009 Year in Review

Completed distribution of more than 53,000 copies of Medal of Honor - Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty to public and private middle schools and junior and senior high schools in every state. Fifth printing of second edition with three more recipient stories and portraits is due out in April 2010. More than 260,000 copies are presently in circulation.

Completed production of more than 100 Medal of Honor video “Living History” vignettes as told by the recipients themselves. Produced 7th annual Medal of Honor video using extracts from Medal of Honor recipient interviews.

Initiated an educational program (The Erie Project) in two Erie, Pennsylvania school districts using Medal of Honor videos and companion lesson plans developed by local educators. The project incorporates the ideals of courage and selfless service into the school curriculum to build character and more responsible citizenship. The program is presently being tested in 120 classrooms and is being evaluated for distribution to other locations.

Sponsored the “Above and Beyond Citizen Honors Program” to recognize three everyday Americans who have exhibited the same ideals in their daily lives that the Medal of Honor recipients demonstrated in combat – the courage to do the right thing in an extreme situation or an extraordinary commitment to serve and support others before one’s self. The President of the United States joined 36 Medal of Honor recipients in the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns to initiate the Citizen Honor ceremonies on National Medal of Honor Day.

Presented Medal of Honor scholarships to outstanding students enrolled in the Reserve Officer Training Corps programs of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. Awards were based on the candidate’s demonstrated leadership performance, a statement of need and a strong commitment to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Supported passage of Public Law 111-91, Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act of 2009, directing the U.S. Mint to strike gold and silver coins in 2011 commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Medal of Honor. The coins are legal tender and will be made available for purchase by the public and collectors.

Produced and installed sets of interactive educational Medal of Honor Kiosks in museums and like institutions to share Medal of Honor stories and increase awareness among the American public of what the Medal of Honor and selfless service mean to our country.

Promoted the stories of African American Medal of Honor recipients during Black History Month.

Co-sponsored the 5th annual Stars and Stripes Heroes supplement highlighting the courage of servicemen and woman deployed in harm’s way. More than 600,000 copies distributed.

Conducted Medal of Honor outreach events in Los Angeles, Dallas, New York, Washington, D.C. and Seattle, including school visits and Medal of Honor programs.

Coordinated the production of two documentaries on the Medal of Honor released in 2008 – Medal of Honor, produced for PBS, and The Medal, syndicated for television across the United States. NBC Nightly News also ran a special series on Medal of Honor recipients leading up to Veteran’s Day.