Medal of Honor Day: What Everyone Should Know
Congress has designated March 25 as Medal of Honor Day (public law 101-564) - but unfortunately, all too many Americans are unaware of its existence. The reason March 25 was chosen is because it was on March 25, 1863 the first Medals of Honor were presented - to six members of Andrew's Raiders.
The Medal of Honor is a small, five pointed star that hangs from a blue ribbon. It stands as a tribute to the bravery of anyone who wears it. Each star and ribbon represents a moment when the recipient ignored fear and danger to perform 'a deed of personal bravery, or self sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty while a member of the armed forces in actual combat with an enemy of the nation.' But it wasn't always that way.
The origin of the Medal of Honor dates back to 1861 and the early days of the Civil War. At the time, the Army and Navy had no formal decorations for heroism. The hope was that a medal would encourage and reward bravery among the Union soldiers and sailors fighting the Confederates. Initially, the medal would be for enlisted men only. Officers would be rewarded for bravery with promotions. It was an all-purpose award for bravery, often times given out for simple acts.
After the war, it was commonplace for veterans to lobby their congressmen for the medal. Combat veterans, however, resented the easy way the medal was given out to men 'who were only doing their duty' and pressed the War Department to make changes. The first reform came in 1890, when the armed services declared that an individual could not nominate himself for a medal.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed a law requiring the War Department to set up a commission of distinguished generals and admirals to review all medal awards. At the same time, the services created a series of lesser medals to honor acts of courage. It was decided the Medal of Honor would only be awarded for actions 'above and beyond the call of duty' and in actual combat.
Since World War One, its recipients have been the 'bravest of the brave.' Many died the moment they earned it. For the living recipients, the medal says its wearer defied terrible dangers and somehow survived.
National Medal of Honor Day is celebrated in only a handful of communities, but for the most part the occasion comes and goes with very little notice. As a proud American, there are a few things you can do to commemorate the day:
- FLY YOUR FLAG with pride and patriotism.
- REMEMBER OUR HEROES. As a gester of appreciation, maybe send a thank you card to a living Medal of Honor recipient.
- INFORM YOUR LOCAL MEDIA. Most media outlets aren't even aware this day exists.
- CONSIDER DOING SOMETHING IN YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL. Make sure children are aware of the day and its significance.
- ADOPT A GRAVE SITE of a Medal of Honor recipient buried in your city.
If you'd like to learn more about the Medal of Honor and its history, CLICK HERE. It'll take you to the website Welcome to the Home of Heroes.
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