I've been a bit silent on the net lately working on some big projects. One of the ones that I'm proud to tell you about is the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's annual convention. I'm on the Host Committee and have been working on marketing the convention with some of the very best people from the Pritzker Military Library and the Tawani Foundation. Special thanks to This Ain't Hell, Castle Argghhh!, the Mudville Gazette and Boston Maggie for helping to promote the convention. The convention's theme is "Commit to Courage". What defines courage? That's a good question. Last Saturday, I had to think about that when my 8-year-old son was playing in his minor league Little League game and was hit (really hard) by the pitcher at his last at-bat. On Sunday, we went to practice after church and he asked me about bravery. He was now, understandably, a bit afraid of getting hit by a baseball. I told him that he couldn't be brave unless he already had fear. And that everyone who is brave has fear. He asked me if I had ever been afraid of jumping out of airplanes in the Airborne. I told him "every time." He asked me if I thought if he asked "god for help being brave would that help?" And I asked him if he thought that god would simply give him bravery or would god give him the opportunity to be brave? He already knew the answer. He had to commit to being courageous. There are many definitions of courage. We are told that courage is a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear. Or courage is the strength to face danger or take on challenges. Recipients of the Medal of Honor will tell you while they understand courage, they felt intense fear. And it is the ability to overcome fear in any situation that leads one to strength and understanding. And with strength and understanding, comes courage. With courage, comes sacrifice. The recipients wear their medal for everyone who has ever worn the uniform, perhaps more so for the men who were with them the day, THAT day...and always for the ones who did not come home. And these men, who demonstrated great courage and sacrifice in the face of danger, have stories that are lessons for the kind of courage needed to survive the challenges of everyday life (even Little League). The recipients of the Medal of Honor ask us all to take the initiative, to respond to challenges and act responsibly (even courageously) when the opportunity presents itself in our daily lives. That's committing to courage. Here is an article in the Chicago Tribune...I'll give you just a taste so you should go and check it out. They were all dead men who refused to die. Outnumbered by the enemy, they risked everything to save the soldiers around them -- and they succeeded. They are heroes, and they have the hardware to prove it. When more than 50 of the 95 living recipients of the Medal of Honor meet in Chicago this week for their annual convention, they'll form one of the nobler gatherings this city has seen. Never before have the Medal of Honor recipients convened here. But most of these men -- tested so severely in combat -- were simply ordinary Americans before their wars, and after. And they can tell us a great deal about what makes a hero... The kick off of the CMOH convention is today with a ceremony and autograph session at Soldier Field. If you're in the Chicago area, come on down. Ask for me at the media check in (Gate 2) and someone will track me down. Join us on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 Chicago Commit to Courage Medal of Honor Convention Opening Ceremony Soldier Field 1:00 p.m. at Gate O Free Parking off of 18th Street on the Waldron Deck. Ceremony Free. Ceremony will be live webcast on nbcchicago.com more... Ceremony followed by autograph signing session with over 45 Medal of Honor Recipients. See link below for registering. Here is more information: The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military award presented for valor in combat. Of the estimated 42 million Americans who have served this country in uniform, only 3,447 individuals have received the Medal of Honor and many of those were awarded posthumously. There are today only 95 living recipients and these distinguished veterans have dedicated their lives to providing a better understanding to all citizens about the importance of service over self. Recipients of the Medal of Honor are members of a select organization - the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Each year these heroes travel around the country and abroad, individually and in groups, for outreach activities to veterans groups, schools and military organizations. At their spring Board meeting in New York, the Society selects one city each year to host their convention. It is at these conventions that more than 60 recipients gather to meet directly with military, veterans, students, business leaders and the general public in a variety of events. In recent years, the Society has awarded the distinction of Medal of Honor Host City to Phoenix, Boston, Green Bay and Denver in 2008. The goals of the convention are to further the bond of brotherhood and comradeship among the living Recipients of the Medal of Honor and their families, to remember in reverence and respect those who have received the Medal of Honor posthumously and those who are now deceased, to foster patriotism and to inspire our communities and to recognize and award outstanding citizens who promote and perpetuate the principles upon which our nation was founded through their life's work and achievements. Please visit the schedule of events section of the website to learn of the days and times at which you can meet our visiting Medal of Honor Recipients.
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Posted
Sep 15 2009, 12:57 AM
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BLACKFIVE