National Medal of Honor Day
25 Mar 2018 by Loren Smith

national-medal-of-honor-day-march-25-1024x512In 1990, the United States Congress designated March 25th of each year as National Medal of Honor Day.

NationalMedal of Honor Day on March 25 is dedicated to all Medal of Honor recipients.

It was on March 25, 1863,when the first Medals of Honor were presented.  Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton presented Medals of Honor (Army) to six members of  “Andrews Raiders” for their volunteering and participation during an American Civil War raid in April of 1862.

Created in 1861, the Medal of Honor is the United States of America’s highest military honor.  It is awarded only to US military personnel, by the President of the United States in the name of Congress, for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.

The version of the measure introduced by Henry Wilson and signed into law by President Lincoln includes the following:

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, authorized to cause two thousand “medals of honor” to be prepared with suitable emblematic devices, and to direct that the same be presented, in the name of the Congress, to such non-commissioned officers and privates as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldier-like qualities, during the present insurrection (Civil War). *https://militarybenefits.info/medal-of-honor-day/

There are three versions of the Medal of Honor; one for the Army, one for the Navy and one for the Air Force, with personnel of the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard receiving the Navy version.

Since its creation, there have been 3,468 Medals of Honor awarded to the country’s soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and coast guardsmen.

Public ceremonies aren’t the only way to commemorate March 25th; private citizens can do several things to observe National Medal of Honor Day:

  • Fly the United States flag at a residence or business
  • “Adopt” the gravesite of a MoH recipient
  • Attend a “retreat” ceremony honoring the fallen with “Taps” and the lowering of the flag
  • Attend ceremonies honoring living MoH recipients
  • Donate to or support MoH societies, Veterans Service Organizations, and veteran-oriented museum

 

Sources: https://militarybenefits.info/medal-of-honor-day/
https://nationaldaycalendar.com/2018/03/24/march-25-2018-national-medal-of-honor-day

Loren Smith

My professional life has been split between real estate sales and computer consulting with a few years of teaching at different colleges down here in sunny Florida. I've been called a nerd, a jock, a bookworm, a showoff, an entrepreneur, and a best friend. My friends just call me Loren. e-Pro (Electronics Professional) MRP (Military Relocation Professional) REDM (Real Estate Digital Marketer) CBS (Certified BPO Specialist) RSD (REO Specialist Designation) NHCB (New Home Co-Broker) AA, AS (Graphic Design) BAS (Bachelor of Applied Science: Business Administration).